Long-time Friends Gather at Sambhali Trust

by Carlea Bauman

Back row: Jenny, Kelly
Middle row Ginka, Judy, Ellie
Front row: Shereen

As Sambhali U.S. Board member Ellie Hamburger was at Sambhali Trust helping launch the Sathi health program, a group of her longtime friends were there as well.

Jenny Bass, Judy Klein, and Kelly Sax live in Indiana while Ellie lives in Washington, D.C. They have been friends for four decades. Fate, proximity, and marriage brought them into each other's orbits, but a shared sense of humor and adventure keeps them bonded all these years later.

Judy and Kelly had fallen in love with India during earlier trips, so when they heard that Ellie would be there in February of this year to train Sambhali teachers on a series of health workshops she and fellow pediatrician Meera Raghunathan had put together, it didn’t take much arm-twisting to get them to join her. Jenny had never been to India before but was excited to go with her good friends and Ellie, her sister-in-law.

Kelly was there for nine weeks. Jenny and Judy were there for a month. They traveled all over the country but had three memorable days in Jodhpur and another three in Jaisalmer. “Being in India makes me feel alive,” says Kelly. “India—Rajasthan especially—is so colorful, and I love the exuberant expression of Hinduism. Every half block there is a temple and statuettes on trees. It is unlike anything I have ever experienced.”

During their time in Jodhpur, the women stayed at the guest house next to Sambhali Trust’s office. “We were in the middle of the action,” states Judy.

They were able to visit the Laadli and Abhaysthali Boarding Homes located in the same building as the office, and were able to join Sambhali Trust founder Govind Rathore and his family for an amazing dinner cooked by Govind.

The women were also able to tour several of the Empowerment Centers and Primary Education Centers in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.

“Meeting the women at the Empowerment Centers in Jaisalmer was a highlight of my time in Rajasthan,” states Jenny. “We met women who were pulling up themselves and their families by learning a trade: setting up a shop in their home, selling their hand embroidery in the market, and learning how to read and write.”

Judy agrees. “I came away from Sambhali Trust feeling like I’d never seen such an effective organization before. I’m completely won over by their good works.”

Before leaving Jodhpur, they were able to take part in one of the newest projects on offer by the newly established Sambhali Development Corporation—a walking tour of the old city.

The women came to India wanting to support Ellie’s endeavors as a Board Member of Sambhali U.S. They left as firm believers in the mission. “Sambhali Trust is a much bigger organization than I ever imagined,” says Kelly. “I’m really impressed with the way they are able to set up shop where there is a need.”

Jenny adds, “I was struck by how Sambhali’s impact goes far beyond the individual’s experience. Showcasing work and activities in the heart of communities gives others the courage to see opportunities for their own futures.”