Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Dear Annie,
You have been so much on my mind since we returned home from Kolkata last October. Everyone in our group said the highlight of the week in Kolkata was Ankur Kala and meeting you. You have made quite an impact on all of us. It looks like I will be coming back to Kolkata the end of this year - arriving December 28th until January 6, 2010.
A woman named Mary Fisher is coming with me and she is an artist who has taken her artistic gifts to Africa to help women start programs similar to yours. She is eager to bring some of her work to show the women. She thought it might be another way the women could create income for themselves. I know she does some beautiful bead work and basket weaving. She is going to write to you directly soon.
I hope that we can spend some time at Ankur Kala. Let me know what you think after you hear from Mary.
Blessings and much love,
Vicki Schmidt
Victoria S. Schmidt
Executive Director
Theresians International
Friday, July 24, 2009
Dear Annie "Di",
A belated thank-you note to you, your staff, and all members of the Ankur Kala community for the hospitality you extended to me during my recent visit to your organization. I had planned to come by in person to give my thanks last Friday (17th July) morning since I was leaving Kolakta for the U.S. later at night but the Bangla Bandh did not allow it to happen.
I will follow up this email with a letter in the regular mail as well but I did not want to delay expressing my gratitude and appreciation for all your efforts to share the spirit of your organization with me for my scholarly work. Needless to say, you are a very impressive team with excellent leadership skills, work ethic, and dedication - a model organization.
A special thanks to you, Annie Di, for taking out the time from your incredibly busy schedule to share with me your passions and vision for Ankur Kala. Likewise to Madhuri, Kaushik Da, and all others who took out the time for individual interviews with me. And a special thank you to Lallie for being such a welcoming face for the organization.
I look forward to writing about Ankur Kala and to continue to be in contact with your organization.
Best,
Bindu
Chairperson and Professor of Philosophy
Albion College
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