IMPACT OCTOBER 2015
Sponsored children and their families celebrate Diwali by lighting fountains and other fireworks.
C ULTURAL DIVERSIT Y
A LIGHT THROUGH THE DARKNESS T
he sounds of fireworks fill the air. Big booms accompany
over darkness as seen in the story of Lord Krishna’s wife
bursts of light against the sky. Smaller bursts sound
Satyabhama, who defeated the evil Narakasura.
off closer to the ground as children run about lighting
According to Bhavana Jayanthi, correspondence
fountains and firecrackers. Though a new moon hangs in
coordinator for Unbound in Hyderabad, India, “Diwali
the sky, the autumn night is lit by thousands of small clay
upholds the spirit of the warrior in a woman, which can
lamps called diyas.
confront evil and conquer it for the good of the world.”
For many in India, the noise and light signify one of their most important holidays. Diwali is a Hindu festival, also known as the festival of lights, and marks the Hindu
Diwali is a multi-day festival, but most celebrations take place during the new moon. “The day starts with burning firecrackers around 4 a.m.,”
New Year. Though the date changes each year, Diwali falls
Bhavana said, “followed by prayers, temple visits and
sometime between mid-October and mid-November. In
eating delicious sweets the whole day. Then, in the
southern India, the festival celebrates the victory of light
evening as the sun sets, clay lamps are lit.” (continued on back)
NO PACKAGES PLEASE
GIVE THANKS BY GIVING TO OTHERS
As Christmas approaches, we remind sponsors not to send packages
Giving Tuesday is a time, following the Thanksgiving
to their sponsored friends. Packages cause unnecessary receiving
weekend, to share our blessings by supporting
costs and labor for our project staff and are often lost or stolen
charitable causes we believe in. Please remember
in transit. The best thing you can do is send a personal Christmas
Unbound on Dec. 1 by sponsoring a child or
greeting to your sponsored friend and donate to our Christmas fund
contributing to our education initiative.
so that all sponsored members have a happy holiday.
Learn more at unbound.org/givingtuesday