After reading City of Joy by Dominique Lapierre, who narrates and interviews the lives and struggles of several people existing in the slums of Calcutta, my husband and I wanted to do something to make a difference. But what? After a bit of research we discovered Rickshaws For India, a program sponsored by PeopleAid. PeopleAid assists with wells, health care, immunizations, schooling, housing, clothing, and other self-sufficiency programs including providing Rickshaws to needy families. In India, Rickshaws are a major mode of taxi transportation for people taking short journeys. Owning a Rickshaw enables a poor Indian family to have a debt free, good income producing small business that permanently supports them. This seems like such a sad existence, especially from the perspective of an American. Despite their hard work, India's existing Rickshaw drivers cannot break free from the cycle of poverty which they are trapped in.
We decided to sponsor two families in need of their own Rickshaws. We were allowed to have the Rickshaws personalized so we chose to add "A Moveable Feast" because it is a way for them to provide food for their families...and my website is www.amoveablefeast.us (it's like an international advertisement on wheels...just kidding).
The family above, in the first photo, is Suribabu and Laxmi Gudiwada from Bad Kotha Road. The second family is Ramu and Yellayyamma Dammu from Adiuiuaram.
2 comments:
How neat is that?!!
It feels pretty good to be able to help others. I was reading in the Proverbs 19 this morning and in verse 17 it says, "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given."
God always blesses those who bless others.
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