Student's Kindness Earns Special Invitation

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

By Marketta Gregory
Staff Writer

Natascha Yogachandra may be young, but she’s wise.

The 11-year-old Fairport girl chose to give up a leadership conference in Washington, D.C., and some of her savings to help pay for her family’s upcoming trip to India and Sri Lanka, where they will volunteer to help tsunami victims. On Friday, she learned that she will still get a trip to the nation’s capital – and an insider’s tour with Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-Fairport.

“You can see how when you choose to help people, you get rewarded,” she said after meeting with Slaughter, who also pledged to help with the family’s other project: collecting children’s books to be sent overseas.

“I was so excited when my mom told me she called,” Natascha said, especially when her mother explained Slaughter’s job. “I was amazed that she would actually recognize us as a family.”

Nat Yogachandra, her father, was equally surprised that such a busy woman would take an interest in their story. Slaughter said she wasn’t too busy for Natascha.

“She gave up her trip to Washington, and I thought the least I could do was give her a day,” the congresswoman said, adding that she’ll show Natascha a few places that most people don’t get to see.

Slaughter is paying for the trip and wants Natascha and her parents to come in the spring, when the cherry trees are in bloom.