North Star - American Experience - February 2023

Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world -- Albert Einstein

I have been journeying with thirty underprivileged kids for six months. Though I have not been travelling in the same school bus as them, I have been travelling alongside of them.

I do not know them like the back of my hand, but I recognize their faces, voices, and the timbre of their being.

When I went down this path with the children, I had no idea that I was becoming a philanthropist. And the definition of a philanthropist is a person who makes donations to social causes, which promote the welfare and well-being of others.

I’m not naturally altruistic but I was inspired by the example of my late father-in-law to explore the path of philanthropy.

My father-in-law grew up in a small town in southern India. He started life with not much in his pocket and little in his mind. But he worked hard, and he rose to the highest levels of public office.

And there, he used the power of education to lift and shift Indian communities. And for his contribution to education in India, he was awarded the Indian equivalent of the US Presidential Medal of Freedom.

His philosophy is simple yet powerful. If your family is doing well, then do something for your community so they can do well too. And he used education as his tool and his money to fuel his cause. He – was an education philanthropist.

I am not clear about the kind of philanthropist I want to be. But I do know what kind I don't want to be. I don't want to donate money, and let its impact unfold in its own way.

What I want to do is to find a void in the landscape, fill it with something powerful, nurture it and watch it unfold. And - enjoy the process and its success.

The focus of this program are thirty kids from three different shelter homes from the local community. They are a mix of Orang Asli (aboriginal) and Indian children from the ages of 10 to 14 with more boys than girls.

The original idea was to expose the children to possibilities in various fields in Science and Arts.

However, after six months I concluded that I had provided the kids a free meal and entertainment for one Saturday every month but I had done little to shift them from where they are to where they could be.

So, I designed a brand-new program that whisks the children off, in their minds, to different countries in the world to explore a new idea in real terms, and to enjoy country-centric food, movie, and music.

And to have the kids capture their individual experience with a journal entry and for me to capture their collective experience in my Mighty Minion monthly blog.

Through the power of imagination, the intention of North Star Productions is to set the children free to find their place in life. And to track their progress by the freedom of expression they convey in their journals.

And -- all this -- makes me -- an entrepreneurial philanthropist. This category of philanthropists achieves their social goals through active investment and active involvement.

In their journals dated 25 February 2023, most children described their American experience through pictures rather than words.

There were, however, a few who expressed the experience more through words.

Here is what some Mighty Minions had to say:

“Today I am happy because I can go to America and eat American food (which is the hot dog). I can also learn more about money matters. I can enjoy.

I can also eat popcorn while watching the movie, which is Spirit. It was sad, happy, enjoying, and funny. I also learnt that anyone can be a superhero, not just boys but girls also can for example.” – Miza.

“So today I have a lot of fun cause today I learn a lot of things and a lot of things I do not know and today I am happy. And I love the food, but I did not like the Mac & Cheese very much cause it is kind of dry. I also learn about money company, and I like the Michael Jackson video.

I love the cartoon we watch today. I also understand something in the cartoon never give up and love their friendship is so sweet and nice. And thank you I have a lot of fun. Bye. Love you Uncle, Aunty, brother, and sister and Jiji.” – Dimple.

“I actually learned about money matters … I really felt like I was in America cause everything mainly today I learned and eat was all related to America, even the movie we watched was America movie. And the stars in America, Superheroes, Michael Jackson and other stuffs and a singing dog.” – Harish.

And at bottom of his journal entry, Mighty Minion Harish wrote an A+, 100%. He knew that I was looking for evidence that the North Star Experience was working. Intuitively, he knew I was seeking, and he gave it to me with love, purity and generosity.

My name is May Maniam. I am Entrepreneurial Philanthropist and Blogger. And this -- is my story.

The North Star American Experience: More

The North Star American Experience: Cast