Why India?

You may have the same malady as I do: compassion fatigue. Every day we read appeals for this need, for that crisis, or for this project, all of which are worthy of our support. So why should I bother with widows and orphans in India when I can have my pick of so many other equally worthy causes in my own nation and my own city? I think

the short answer is because they matter.

There is a familiar story about a girl standing on a beach in the presence of thousands

of starfish that washed ashore after a massive storm. A man witnessed her tossing

starfish after starfish back into the ocean's saving waters. He asked the girl why she was doing this because, after all, she'd never be able to save them all, and what difference did it make? After she thought for a moment, she picked up a single

starfish, threw it back into the sea, and told the man, “Well, I made a difference for that one!”

Since we live in a fast-paced society, it is sometimes hard to slow down, look around at

the millions of needs, and pick one or two people for whom our aid and support will

make a significant impact—people who have little to nothing and for whom the smallest amount of aid meets a huge need. If you are like me, you alone do not have the resources to affect the lives of millions of people. That is why Hope Givers United

invests in widows and orphans in India. No, we cannot help everyone, but together we

can help someone know they are not alone and that they matter.