A chance meeting with the American pop star, Madonna has led to Sandip Soparrkar becoming the spokesperson of a US-based NGO for orphans



Ballroom dance instructor Sandip Soparrkar is set to be the face of US-based NGO, The Miracle Foundation in India. The story goes that 'Material Girl' Madonna recommended the single choreographer's name to the thinking heads at the foundation. Madonna, who was in Mumbai last December, had a chance meeting with Soparrkar, who recently adopted his two-and-a-half-year-old son Arjun, and the duo had a long chat over supporting existing orphanages in India and upgrading them to a global model.

Later Soparrkar heard from The Miracle Foundation, an organisation that seeks to empower orphan kids and raise them in a family-style orphanage with personal attention. “Since I had visited quite a few orphanages across the country before the adoption of my son, The Miracle Foundation wanted me serve as their spokesperson in India. Even Madonna e-mailed me asking if I will be keen on being a part of the NGO and I was more than willing to help the cause,” says Soparrkar.



Soparrkar rues that orphanages in the country are languishing because of lack of funds and that's what prompted him to be a part of The Miracle Foundation, which is setting up an ideal village comprising 20 cottages for orphans at Ranchi later this month. The cottages will house 10 children and four house mothers. “Our aim is to raise these kids in a family environment with personal attention. The Sooch Village (named after American philanthropist Nav Sooch) will also house a school, playground, hospital, and prayer house for the children,” says Soparrkar.

Soparrkar will be actively involved in the adoption process and getting celebrity volunteers for the village that opens on March 16. However, Madonna will not be gracing the opening ceremony. Soparrkar says, “Unfortunately, she will not be here. But I'm sure she will visit the village once it starts functioning.”