OUR HISTORY

In 2001, during a visit to India, our founder, Becky Douglas, witnessed firsthand the devastating conditions faced by people living with leprosy. She was particularly moved by those who, living in isolation, approached her seeking help. These heart-wrenching images stayed with her long after her return to the United States. Unable to turn away, Becky knew she had to take action.
Together with four close friends, Becky gathered around her kitchen table and founded Rising Star Outreach. This humble beginning marked the start of a journey that would impact thousands of lives across India.
In April 2004, Rising Star Outreach of India (RSOI) was officially registered and recognized as a Company under Section 25 of the Indian Companies Act. Our mission began by opening a preschool for 27 children from leprosy colonies. Operating under the Women India Association (WIA), RSOI provided board and care for these children, and the impact was immediate. The success of the preschool led to the opening of a second preschool in 2005, which welcomed an additional 20 children.
While the preschools provided essential education, the needs of their families remained pressing. To provide some relief, Rising Star Outreach began delivering basic food supplies, such as rice and beans, to the colonies each month. However, we knew that this was only a temporary solution.
In 2003, we were introduced to Mrs. Padma Venkataraman, daughter of India’s former president and a well-known advocate for self-reliance in leprosy colonies. Mrs. Venkataraman’s expertise led to the creation of the Rising Star Outreach Colony Development Project, designed to achieve two key objectives:
Economic Self-Reliance: Through Women’s Self-Help Groups, individuals were empowered to create small businesses, moving away from a life of begging and toward productive livelihoods.
Critical Infrastructure: The project also focused on improving basic infrastructure within the colonies, such as providing toilets, clean water, community centers, and learning spaces.
As families in the colonies became economically self-sufficient, they pooled their resources to tackle the pressing infrastructure challenges, with RSOI’s support. These collective efforts helped break the cycle of stigma and created lasting change.
However, despite these gains, the lack of consistent medical care remained a critical issue. In March 2005, RSOI launched its first mobile medical unit, bringing healthcare directly to the leprosy colonies. This service was vital for individuals, especially those with severe disabilities, who were unable to travel to distant hospitals.
From these early efforts, Rising Star Outreach has grown into a beacon of hope, transforming lives and communities through education, medical care, and sustainable development. Our journey continues as we work to eradicate the stigma of leprosy and build brighter futures for the individuals and families we serve.