Along our journey we meet thousands upon thousands of kids. Few are as special as the ones we spoke to today at the Tulsa Boys Home. This home has served young men in need of healthy parental care and education for just under a century.

The 63 boys currently housed at the facility were broken up into two groups providing a more intimate and receptive opportunity for us to get to know one another. The hardships that these young men have faced and the battles they continue to face are deeply trying. We, however, have never seen a better facility with a more caring and concerned staff to help them on their journey through life.

Program Director Mike Murphy is a perfect combination of compassionate enthusiasm and firm resolve. He was extremely gracious and kind towards us. The team found it so inspiring to witness his commitment, along with the rest of the staff, specially Executive Director Gregory Conway, to transforming these young men's lives.

Mike Mitchell, the in-school suspension supervisor, overflows with selfgiving love and concern for these young men, and serves as a great role model and father figure.

A special thanks to Sutushti who has served as a dedicated coordinator of her home state of Oklahoma since the inception of the run in 1987. Not only did she organize several days of great ceremonies, but she also treated the team to a delicious dinner.

Vladamir was so excited to get to the next ceremony he started racing the cars.

Our second ceremony took place with our long time friends at the Undercroft Montessori School in Tulsa. This school lives the true message of the Harmony Run and we always love visiting them. These dedicated teachers, parents and students came back to school on a Saturday to welcome us.

Our dear friend Jeannie McDaniel is not only a great runner, but she is a wonderful promoter of peace, harmony and positive change in the great state of Oklahoma. For those reasons, and her beautiful smile, she was honoured with the distiguished Torch Bearer Award.

Lori Karmazin is an unbelievable embodiment of everything a teacher should strive to be. She, along with her equally wonderful staff, was more than deserving of this certificate of appreciation.

Shashwat, Corbin, Avery, and Shyamala (left to right) hold the torch in front of their really coooool fence.

The 6th graders compiled a very special gift for the runners composed of words and images regarding what peace means to them.

We are so grateful to the Super 8 in Sapulpa, for generously providing us with four complimentary rooms for the night. Wanda (above) was very kind to us and the General Manager Pat Pickering has been an enthusiastic supporter of ours for many years.  Thank you Super 8 in Sapulpa!

– Jitavrata

Distance: 103 miles

Team Members:
Salil Wilson (Australia), Jitavrata Jacobs (USA), Shyamala Stott (Scotland), Bansidhar Medeiros (USA), Dmitry Grigorevskiy (Ukraine), Vladimir Salnicov (Moldova), Vilupti Barrineau (Canada), Vajra Henderson (USA), Yuyudhan Hoppe (USA)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

Gallery: See more images!