Long-time Sponsor Shares her Touching LPGM Story

Sandra Hoverson has lived in Minnesota for the majority of her life. A Minneapolis Public Schools teacher for 32 years, Sandra cared deeply about her students and their educational journeys. Sandra and her husband of 37 years, Burt, have traveled extensively and appreciate learning about cultures around the world.

In 2000, Sandra was moved by an article written by Steve Staruch. His wife, Naomi, was on the board of directors at LPGM. Sandra had just retired from teaching and missed interacting with the students. After reading Steve’s article, she decided to become a sponsor. Thus began her profoundly impactful 24-year sponsorship journey.

Her first student, Seetha, wrote to her from 2000 to 2002. In 2002, Seetha ran away from school because of a family issue, and unfortunately, her parents could not be convinced to allow her to return.

When Seetha dropped out of school, Sandra began sponsoring Kavitha. Kavitha and Sandra wrote from 2002 to 2009. Sandra shared, “She, too, was hoping to become a teacher and told me she kept my photo in her locker and looked at it every day!”

From 2009 until 2014, Prasanna became Sandra’s “LPGM daughter”. Rather than writing letters, they began corresponding digitally. Preethi and Sandra corresponded from 2014 until 2016.

According to Sandra, “She told me her goal was to become a police officer. I especially loved receiving photos each year and admired how beautifully braided their long shiny black hair was tied with ribbons. Pretty ribbons were one of the little gifts I sent Preethi in the mail.”

Archana was Sandra’s student from 2016 to 2020, and they corresponded via “snail mail”. Archana sent her beautiful drawings and photos. When it was time to graduate, she told Sandra she was going into nursing! Sandra shared part of Archana’s final letter, which reads, “I miss you so much. Because of you, I’m having good and healthy food and snacks every day. Thank you so much for your lovely letters and photos. You are my precious gifts in my life. I won’t forget you and your family. Please pray for me to get good college. My dream is to become nurse. Every day I will pray for your health and your family members.”

Sandra helped finance Archana’s nursing education through LPGM’s Extended Study program. During 2020, she wrote to a student named Magi, but Covid sadly interfered with their relationship. Sandra began sponsoring Janani in 2022, and she is still Janani’s sponsor today. Sandra gushed, “[Janani] always addresses me as ‘Dear Mom,’ and that touches me deeply!”

A recent excerpt from Janani’s letter reads, “...you are looking so good in the picture. Happy 80th birthday, dear. I love my grandpa, granny, mom, dad, two brothers, and you. I always pray for you and your family.” Janani told Sandra she wants to become a teacher, which Sandra was thrilled to hear.

Sandra cares about each girl she has sponsored, which is made evident by the fact that she has a folder with every letter and photo she has received from her “LPGM daughters” over the past 24 years.

Sandra wants all of her “daughters” to thrive, and she shares that she will “always remember all of them as a dear and great blessing in my life and it was a great privilege to be a part of their lives.”

Sandra is committed to ongoing LPGM sponsorship, because she has seen the positive impact it has had on their lives. If you are inspired by Sandra’s commitment and interested in having a meaningful relationship with a student in India, consider becoming a sponsor. 

Or, you can join supporters who give to Project Education India (PEI) without sponsoring a specific student. These friends ensure that “unsponsored” students receive the support they need.

Meet students waiting to be sponsored