From the Founder, Ashalata Prasad

The journey of AriseVillages began with my deep connection to the village where I grew up and my years of experience hosting international visitors to India. In my 30s, after moving to the United States, I established a global partnership between two churches. It felt like a promising venture—our efforts even led to expanding my home church to accommodate more people. My in-laws generously donated a generator to support the village nursing school and guest house.

But as life often does, things shifted. Motherhood, with its demands and joys, took center stage. With three young children, my time became limited, and progress slowed. About three years before COVID, I felt a renewed calling to revisit the idea of church partnerships. I shared my vision with key stakeholders, hoping to rekindle the initiative. When the church ultimately decided not to proceed, I knew I had to carry the vision forward on my own.

That decision marked the birth of AriseVillages. It started humbly—with just three volunteers and partnerships in three villages. In our first year, we focused on building genuine connections. Then the pandemic hit. Everything, including AriseVillages, came to a standstill. What could have been a year of growth stretched into nearly two and a half years. Slowly, my initial team of volunteers had to step away.

After the pandemic, we cautiously resumed our efforts, reconnecting with the villages. I am continually amazed by how God brings people together in unexpected ways. Former students from my teaching days in the 1990s re-entered my life and joined the AriseVillages team, breathing new life into the mission. Around the same time, I shared my journey with two dear friends, Torunn and Heidi, who eagerly embraced the vision and became part of the team.

Reflecting on the past 25 years, I could never have predicted the lasting friendships I’ve built with Torunn and Heidi. Despite the miles that separated us, we stayed connected—sharing stories about our lives and families. Now, as our children prepare to leave the nest, a new chapter has opened for all of us. Together, we brainstorm, listen, laugh, and naturally walk this path of shared purpose through AriseVillages.

Looking ahead, I’m grateful and excited to welcome visitors and new team members to this incredible journey. Cross-cultural experiences like these are transformative, taking us to places we never imagined and forming bonds that last a lifetime. For us, this has been the foundation of enduring friendship.

Please reach out if you are inspired to join us and experience the simple yet profound richness of cross-cultural connection. We’d love to hear from you and meet you in person.