Introductions

I went on a bunch of last-minute errands today, tying down all the loose threads before embarking on this exciting adventure. First, I got an ISIC card, which will supplement the health insurance provided by my insurance company (I’d only recommend this if you have other health insurance, otherwise, STA has a great travel insurance package). Next, I went to get Malaria pills. They were less than $5.00, although I’m a little worried because they cause upset stomachs, and because they are antibiotics you can’t stop taking them in the middle. They also make you more sensitive to the sun, which will be a problem in India. I guess it’s better than the other kind, that gives you hallucinations and bad dreams…

Finally, I got everyone in the group a present- hand sanitizer! I feel like this will be a much needed and desired gift J.

For those of you who are meeting Project Read for the first time, let me introduce the cast of characters going to India this summer:

Jackie Weiss- that’s me, I’ve graduated and am planning on going to UCSF next year. I started Project Read with Natasha last May. I spent the summer of 2006 in India, wearing saris and jasmine in my hair and living in dirty downtown Chennai. My goal for this summer is to write in this blog a lot, and make sure everyone is safe and happy.

Natasha Pereira- Natasha’s parents are from India, and we may be staying with her grandparents in Mangalore at some point during the trip. Natasha will graduate on June 15, and just finished her 160-page thesis yesterday, I’m sure with much relief.

Zach D’Angelo- Zach is a freshman, majoring in Product Design (potentially). He has international experience, having lead a trip with Julia Sebastian (see below) to Costa Rica. Zach is incredibly responsible, and will be one of the leaders of the group next year.

Emily Rains- Emily is a freshman, and along with Zach and Kelsey have been working with Project Read since the beginning of the year. Emily helped to arrange many of the book drives, and is getting excited about going to India, even though she knows she will stick out like a sore thumb with her pale complexion and blonde hair.

Kelsey King- Kelsey is also a freshman, and will be traveling to a developing country for the first time this summer. She has the most experience of anyone working with libraries, and has done a lot of the publicity for Project Read. Kelsey has a lot to look forward to, and will definitely grow a lot this summer.

Julia Sebastian- Julia and Stephanie will be going to Mundgod, a rural village near Hubli. Julia is outgoing, and responsible. She and Zach organized a trip to Costa Rica last year, and Julia knows how to be flexible in uncertain circumstances. She will be traveling after the program around India and potentially Nepal.

Stephanie Caro- Stephanie is very insightful and resourceful, and will work well on a team with Julia. She is currently in San Francisco picking up everyone’s visas from the Indian Embassy. Stephanie and Julia are room mates here at Stanford.

Kenji Kurosaki- Kenji is Jackie’s cousin, and will be traveling with her, doubling as a tourist/volunteer and a bodyguard (just kidding, although I do feel safer having him around). This will be Kenji’s first time in a developing country, though he has spent a considerable amount of time in Japan, where his father is from.


Even though I’ve already been to India, I definitely feel a little apprehensive being responsible for this many people. I’ve done the best I can to make sure that everyone is prepared, but inevitably something will happen that I haven’t prepared for, in which case I’ll need to be as flexible and responsible as possible. I want to make sure that everyone’s parents are connected and able to contact me- having that communication is essential for parent’s well being (at least according to my mom). On the whole, I’m super excited, and feel like this will be a big time of growth for everyone involved.

Welcome post!

Hello everyone!

This will be our blog, where everyone from Project Read can post. Parents, feel free to make comments and ask questions. I will try to post as many pictures as I can, and I encourage everyone to write in this blog at least a few times a week.

I, for one, am getting incredibly excited! Stephanie is currently in the city picking up our visas, and I really feel so close to being on that plane and in a new country!