Trajectory

Our youngest grandson loves to bowl. When we go out with the grandkids for a fun outing, bowling is always one of his top requests. The problem is that the bowling balls provided by most places are too heavy for a little boy. He cannot possibly line up, walk forward and, in a fluid motion, swing the ball towards the bowling pins. He needs to use the "kiddy ramp" instead. This ramp is a plastic device that looks like a slide. It has a ledge on top to place the bowling ball and roll it down the slide where it gains just enough speed to “saunter” down the lane and strike the stack of waiting pins.

At first our independent little guy wanted to set up the ramp all by himself. He scooted the ramp up to the line, placed the bowling ball on top and slowly pushed it down with high hopes. Almost invariably his ball would wander off to the right or left and topple just a couple of pins. He acted as if he had won the lottery! Of course we cheered for him, but I knew he could do more with a little help.

I showed him something he hadn't noticed before. On the ledge of the plastic ramp is an inconspicuous aiming arrow. I explained how to align the ramp, centered on the front bowling pin, and look “down” the arrow to ensure proper alignment. Then I demonstrated how to add energy to the bowling ball by pushing it off the ramp for a higher speed. Once he had mastered those techniques he started outscoring some of his siblings, to his great delight! He learned that an adjustment in his aim and some added energy made all the difference to change the trajectory of the ball and to score higher points. All he needed was a little help from someone who saw his potential for something better.

The children who we support through Hope Givers United face a similar situation to what our grandson faced in bowling. In their current living conditions they cannot possibly lift the weight that is upon them on their own to affect a change in their life's trajectory. They need a ramp, an aim point and help gaining momentum. They require positive adjustments to their lives that only those who are caring for them, as well as the supporters here, can provide. Your gift to the orphans in India through Hope Givers United is the ramp they need, offering not only food, shelter, clothing and education but also an adjustment to their life’s trajectory that helps them gain what they otherwise would not have gained: hope and a future. Thank you for your support.

— Carson Pearce