We have just returned form Calcutta, India. I wanted to go and see for myself what the SABERA Foundation was doing over there! Calcutta was a shock to my whole being and soul. When you get off the plane, (the only one in sight by the way) your senses are assaulted by the heat, the vibes from the people (who are mostly loving and curious), and the strange smells. It was also approximately 120°F about 50°C. I have since realized the smell is one of rotten apricots, incense and death. It is almost overwhelming and definitely unforgettable.

We arrived at 6am and were greeted by Nacho Cano the founder of the SABERA Foundation and Carlos Duran who has lived in Calcutta with the girls for 3 years (These are two of the most amazing men I have ever met. They both have hearts of gold!) With me were my sister Tracy, my best friend Olwen, who is the CEO of SABERA America, Kevin, one of my dearest friends and Rafael Serrano who is Director of Foreign Affairs and International Relations (London) of the foundation.

Nacho & Carlos came to meet us with Christina, Maria & Sangeeta (the little girl that my daughter Dakota's 6th grade class at St. James School has sponsored) and two little babies. That first day was extremely emotional. We went to one of Mother Theresa's homes for the dying, it was such interesting, strange and beautiful place. You immediately felt the presence of God and the feeling and smell of death instantly and simultaneously shocked you. One woman, whose husband had thrown acid in her face because he was angry or tired of her, smiled at my sister Tracy, who just lost it. All of us were so touched, moved and instantly humbled in "Mother's" house.

Next we went to another place where 17 children had been left and Nacho and Carlos are taking care of them until they can be moved to the new facility in Kalitala. These 17 children are either mentally retarded, deformed, blind or crippled. They are so sweet and helpless and I hugged every one of them--we all did!

The next day we drove to the SABERA Foundation home in Kalitala. We were greeted by all of the girls! 128 of them! They were so sweet throwing flower petals, putting the Bindi mark on my forehead and giving kisses. All 128 of them! We saw them everyday for the next four days. So many things happened that I couldn't put them all into this letter. I will say that they changed my life, my heart and my mind about many things. I left there, we all left there, with many conflicting feelings and thoughts.

I love every single person involved in SABERA and every little girl there and now I can't wait to go back! If you want information just click on the SABERA link here or go to http://www.saberafoundation.org.

You too can help if you want!

With love and respect,
Melanie
xoxoxo