Our experience in India. Making a difference.

By Clay Wilkes, CEO, Galileo

I’m passionate about a few things, my family, and Galileo, and I’m passionate about making a difference! Galileo is an extremely important part of my life. Galileo has never performed better or been stronger than this year, and we’re just beginning to hit our stride in terms of what we do, how we do it and those we serve. What’s more, now more than ever, I believe Galileo can be a platform for tremendous good.

Galileo Foundation

Another extremely important part of my life is participating in humanitarian activities. Nine years ago, my wife Marie and I started the Galileo Foundation with a goal of employee engagement through community outreach, assisting people here

in Utah and around the world, with a specific focus on providing skills or resources that lead to economic empowerment and an escape from poverty. I hired life long friend and mentor Duane Gines, and one of the founders of Choice Humanitarian, as the Director of the Galileo Foundation.

The Galileo Foundation ethos isn’t based on charity but on direct involvement of the Galileo community to go to areas of extreme poverty and participate in the actual work of helping people help themselves—we have constructed schools, women’s centers, water projects, and green houses. We have also provided knowledge and labor, teaching skills to develop education and economic development.

In the past 9 years, more than 150 Galileo employees and family members have participated in dozens of Galileo Foundation expeditions to South America. Everyone pays his or her own way, but Galileo offers paid leave for humanitarian work as a workplace benefit.

For the Fall 2017 Galileo Foundation expedition we went to India and Nepal, countries where crippling poverty still exits, particularly in rural areas.

“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.” - John Donne

The Opportunity to Transform Lives

I returned from India about a week ago, while Marie and 20 Galileo colleagues went on to Nepal, to participate in reconstructing an earthquake damaged school.

Although each Galileo Foundation expedition I’ve participated in has been, in its own way, a life-changing experience, there’s

something about this trip to India that I can’t shake. It has truly been life changing. I intend to use it as the inspiration to continue making a difference, because I’ve never been more aware or more passionate about how my personal actions and the activities of the Galileo Foundation can changethe course of individuals’ lives—literally, transforming a life destined for abject poverty to self-sufficiency.

During our time in India, Marie and I met so many amazing people—from children in group homes to the adults who care for them and cobble together the funding to meet their

needs. Nothing would please me more than to tell you the stories of each individual we met. But, I’ll focus on our experience at the Adruta Children’s Home in Odisha.

Dr Mohanty

Adruta Children’s Home boards upwards of 400 orphaned or abandoned girls, providing full care in a safe, nurturing environment. The school was founded and funded 18 years ago by Professor Aditya Kumar Mohanty, who has since founded 11 similar schools. Truly amazing!

These girls are often born into poverty and when coupled with the oppression of a dowry, they are abandoned by their families, as the family faces multi-generational financial difficulty related to meeting their burden under the dowry.

The school is now supported by donations from all over the world, local businesspeople and proceeds from the Adruta Dance Troupe, comprised of students who are trained in and perform the traditional Odissi dance. The dance troupe, which visited three U.S. cities last year, enables the first generation of Adruta students to contribute to the school and pay it forward to future generations that may need its resources.

Marie and I, and other Foundation members, were charmed by the girls we met, and the quality of care they receive. We were highly impressed by the setting and all we met. Two principles shared and lived at the school really struck us, they believe in the dignity of life and they teach this to the girls. One of the ways they demonstrate this, they don’t accept donated clothing. All the girls

clothing and costumes are sewn at the Children’s Home. The other value that comes shining through is love. One of the founders, Dr Sarangi and his wife emanate love in their countenance, and this is reflected by the girls.

But, there’s still a problem. At 22, the girls age out of the Adruta Children’s Home, and, when they do, they hit a wall. The artistic training, currently so important in giving them a sense of belonging and a purpose isn’t necessarily transferable to making their own way financially. Without marketable and practical skills or a dowry, their fate is uncertain.

Math and English - Self Sufficient

So, what can make the difference? What can be done so all the protection, nurturing and care poured into the Adruta girls during their school years isn’t squandered when they turn 22?

Surprisingly, the answer is straightforward: Adding English and math training and tutoring for the girls is the key—the key—to giving the girls marketable skills. Our esteemed colleague, Brijesh Garabadu and his family based in Odisha, India, and the Galileo Foundation have committed to making this happen, providing funding for two new teachers—one focusing on math, the other on English—to become a permanent part of the school staff.

I’m not deluding myself that this support will alter the course for every girl at Adruta Children’s Home. But, I’m satisfied that, over time, it will affect the lives of many girls, preparing them for further education and careers, giving them the capability to support themselves and lead dignified, self-sufficient lives. I’m excited about that! If successful, this model is something we hope to replicate with other schools. Who knows, maybe we can help play a role in the cultural abolition of the oppressive practice of the dowry.

Making a Difference

In 2018, we will go back to the villages around Cusco, Peru, but we will also go to Pune and Punjab India, Kenya and Ethiopia, and to the Blackfoot tribe in Montana, and we will certainly go

back to Odisha, India.

I would hope many Galileo employees, partners, clients, friends and family can join us on these future, life changing experiences. If you are interested, please message me.

“He who devotes himself to service with a clear conscience will day by day grasp the necessity for it in greater measure, and will continually grow richer in faith. If we cultivate the habit of doing this service deliberately, our desire for service will steadily grow stronger, and will make not only for our happiness, but for the world at large…all of us are bound to place our resources at the disposal of humanity.” - Mahatma Ghandi

And finally, if you aren’t already, look around for your own opportunities to make a difference. Even the smallest act, multiplied by tens or hundreds of people you touch as you go about your day and personal life can add up to something great, and I’m certain, like me you’ll realize who is really benefiting!

Photo Credit - certain photos - Chase Burr

www.linkedin.com/in/tcwilkes

https://thegalileofoundation.org