I believe that I have a special purpose in this life, and part of that purpose is to help others; to make the world a better place. When I first traveled to Ethiopia in 2007, I was profoundly touched and I knew my life would never be the same again. I knew that service would become a very big part of my life; and it has. I know that I cannot solve the very big problems at the core of the poverty that I have seen nor will I ever make huge changes written in history books. But I feel good about what I have done so far.
Aum and I.
From 2007-2009 with other Rotarians, we brought school and medical supplies to children in Ethiopia and Uganda. In Ethiopia in 2009 I brought 100 school uniforms to the Joy School for Autistic Children where my daughter and I volunteered daily for two weeks. In 2009, with the help of my friends and fellow Hawaii Rotarians and business clients, I also raised funds to build a grinding mill in Kalang, Northern Uganda that has given an entire village a living and has eased the lives of many women who had to walk very far to grind their grain or just do it by hand. In the spring of 2010, while I was living in Uganda for three months, these same Rotarians, friends, and clients helped me raise $5,200 to pay the school fees of 27 high school aged children, mostly girls, who could not afford to attend school. Most of them were orphans whose parents were killed in the war with the LRA or their parents had died of HIV or other illnesses. For every girl that we put though school, we are saving her from a life of poverty, prostitution, and we are setting her up to raise confident and educated children. My daughter and I volunteered daily at St Jude’s Orphanage in Gulu, Uganda where much help was needed just holding and playing with the many babies and children. My stories are just beginning.
Shika and I. She lives at the Ashram
Now I am in India where I have been volunteering at the Karuna Vihar School for Children with Special Needs. I have had an amazing experience. The staff is so experienced, patient, and they truly love each and every one of those special children. It is truly a safe haven and superb educational facility worthy of our support and contributions. Two weeks was just not long enough, and it was sad to say goodbye to the children and staff.
Jo Chopra and I. She started the Latika Roy Foundation
I have this incredible gift of making great friends very easily. I entered this country as a foreigner, and I became like family to the Ashram that I lived at for 9 days. It is sad to say good bye; but knowing that I will return someday makes it less so. It took such courage to get all the way up North in this valley near the Himalaya Mountains on my own. It will take some courage to get back to Delhi on the train and to get from the very busy train station to the Delhi Airport. It is a long 52 hour journey home without the comfort this time of a hotel stay between the train and plane ride. 
Spice Jars in the Kitchen
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The kitchen at the Ashram
I take from this place, Dehradun, and from this Ashram a new found peace in my heart. I have learned to settle my mind a bit through yoga and meditation. I vow to only look forward (not too far) and not look back anymore. It is time to move on. I will continue to live my life very well. I will serve the less fortunate which will improve their lives as well as fill my soul with joy. I will be a good example to my children. I hope they know how much I love them and that no matter where I am in the world, I am always be praying for them, thinking of them, and bragging about them! 
The auto taxis are everywhere!
I have the best friends in the world; all over the world! I would like to give them all a big thank you for their support and love. I am also so proud to be a Rotarian and it has changed my life in many ways. Rotary is truly what my life is all about: Service Above Self.
