“[The poverty] was a really big shock,” said Koen Van Rompay, an infectious disease researcher who was in southern India to speak at a conference. Seeing all the people on the streets of Chennai begging for food was painful. “I felt very frustrated. Here I was a scientist… trying to do something about HIV, but these people lacked even the basic necessities in life.” He had to do something, but what?
While there he met a social worker named Mr. Selvam, He showed Koen some hand embroidered greeting cards made by the women of his village. He was selling them to make money to support his fledgling nonprofit, one that was focused on giving the children of his small rural community a chance at something better. Koen bought them all with the pledge to sell them to his friends and family and send the money back to Mr. Selvam.
One small step. This was the humble beginnings of Sahaya International, the nonprofit Koen runs from his kitchen table in his home in Davis, California. Twenty years later, the organization is a 100% volunteer-based network of friends that supports a growing number of programs in developing countries, aimed at helping underprivileged communities by promoting education, health, socio-economic empowerment and conservation.
As you listen to this episode, consider:
Action begins with one small step. What is one small step you can take today to make a difference?
How do you handle adversity? “Don’t give up,” Koen says. Even if you don’t meet your desired outcome, keep going.
Who are the organizations in your community that are doing good work? Consider partnering with them.
To learn more about Koen and Sahaya international, visit their website.
You can listen to Koen’s episode here.
