Dear ANASAZI family and friends:

You're all familiar with our program here in Arizona and many of you have experienced the trail firsthand. Our question today is what would ANASAZI be like overseas, in a new "wilderness"? We've been at work for the past few years trying to answer that question. We are now nearing completion of a feasibility study for a new program that serves our ANASAZI families and we need your feedback to ensure its success.

Located in the beautiful and ancient culture of India, this program will provide the opportunity for growth through a multiple curricula of service, culture, travel, and, of course, nature. It will complement and reaffirm the experiences and care that Young Walkers receive on the trail, and will be especially helpful to Young Walkers that need help getting back on the right track and walking forward again. We will also provide an opportunity to children who have not been on the trail, but who are struggling in life and may benefit more from a humanitarian, rather than wilderness-based program. The location will be on the Pamela Martinez-Pathway Orphanage/Agro Farm outside of Chennai, India. Pathway is directed by Dr. Prasad, an audiologist who has spent the past thirty years dedicating his life to disadvantaged children. Ezekiel Sanchez and I visited Dr. Prasad and his wife Chandra, as well as the facilities in July and our hopes for a successful program were reinforced by what we saw. The following are excerpts from Ezekiel's report to ANASAZI's governing board;

July 21, 2005

Trevor Terry and I arrived in Chennai, India at 11 AM. Dr. Prasad was there to meet us … I immediately took a liking to this wonderful man. As the vehicle entered the gates of the Pathway facilities, I felt an extraordinary feeling of peace. When I exited from the Toyota and my foot touched the ground, a feeling engulfed me from the base of my feet up to the long curls on my head. I then knew I was entering a sacred place.

The Pathway children greeted and placed garlands around our necks, which they had made. We were then given a tour of the facilities. We were taken to every classroom where the children all stood and greeted us in English. As we went from room to room, I understood by the spirit of the Creator that I walked in the presence of innocence and greatness. I also felt that this Pathway program is truly a miracle and it has the blessings of the Creator upon it.

From Ezekiel's account you begin to get a sense of how special these children are and the opportunity American teenagers will have for emotional growth through serving them.

In many ways this program will be similar to what is found at ANASAZI in Arizona; low staff to student ratio (staff will be current and former Lead Trail Walkers, Wind Walkers, and Ridge Walkers), a Shadow, ANASAZI Way and Arbinger philosophies, accredited high school courses, and an environment that powerfully invites awakenings. Areas that make this program unique to the trail are; the opportunity to serve disadvantaged children, the life changing education that takes place when immersed in a new culture, increased responsibilities targeted at developing a leadership skill set, a non-nomadic lifestyle (You don't have to carry everything you own on your back). We will also take weekly excursions, which will include local temples and ruins, the beach, game preserves, shopping markets, etc… There is also the possibility that we will visit sites like the Taj Mahal, Delhi, and maybe even take a camel trek into a sand dune desert! (How many times did you wish you had a horse on the trail? Well, here's your chance, but on a camel!) On Sundays, travel will be available for the students to attend various church services in the area. Travel from the States to India will be coordinated so that the children will be accompanied by our staff.

The estimated tuition for this program will be $4,000 per month plus air travel expenses, which will amount to around $1,200 round trip depending on what part of the country the participant is flying from. The tuition cost covers staff wages and travel, room and board, all travel in the country, comprehensive insurance, and the high school curriculum. I will lead the pilot program, which will be two months beginning in Mid-October and we will return before the holidays. We will be hand-selecting eight students for this first program, so if you would like to be among the first to participate in this experience, please let us know of your interest along with your feedback. If you are interested, but the financial aspect is a determinant, we will be developing materials that prospective students can present to their local businesses to receive sponsorship. This material will include how sponsoring the student would be tax deductible. Also, since this is an accredited education program as well, it will qualify for student loans.

I hope you are all excited as we are for this program to begin. Please reply and send us your thoughts, concerns, and feedback to help us create an ideal program as well as notifying us of your interest to participate.

Sincerely,
Trevor Terry
Program Director
tterry@anasazi.org
480-892-7403

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