Like most Americans, when news coverage of the tsunami came into homes around the world Dec. 29, Avinash and Arjun Ramesh felt compelled to contribute to the relief effort.
After talking with their mother, Uma, the boys decided to share their gift of hard work and musical talent through doing odd jobs, tutoring and a recital.
“They decided to call it ‘Children without Borders’ and designed a logo for themselves,” Uma Ramesh said of her sons, Avinash, 9, and Arjun, 14.
“I’ve been playing the piano for two or three years and the violin for almost a year,” Avinash Ramesh said. “We wanted to help the tsunami victims, so any money we raise will go to the Help Foundation.”
His older brother pays piano and viola, he said.
While children in America ask for things like soccer balls and video games, “they’re asking for things like food and water. We want to help them,” he said. “We’re trying to raise $2,500 because they (the Help Foundation) need $5,000 to raise one child for a lifetime.”
The Help Foundation matches donations it receives, he said, which is how they came up with their goal.
Avinash and Arjun have been working since mid-January to raise money for the victims, Uma Ramesh said. “They would shovel the snow off our driveway and we’d give them money, but they put it toward the tsunami relief. Arjun had a birthday a few weeks ago, and he gave all his birthday money to the charity too.”
The boys played two songs apiece followed by a duet at their home in Great Falls Sunday afternoon, alternating on piano. About 45 people attended the recital, and the boys were able to raise over $3,000 for the Help Foundation.