A few years ago a terrible storm raged over parts of India and ruined the house of Xavier Prabhu, the last man of his village who could use that.

Prabhu is chronically ill, doesn't have the stamina to restore the house. Fortunately, he had friends who could help him building a new house – but money failed, as Prabhu is poor too.

I learned to know him on – then – Twitter. Several times Ithe shortest message I ever read there drew my attention: ‘HELP ME.’ I was curious to find out who that was and why he cried for help. When I heard his story I soon decided to take action, for this man and his family (wife and two young children) deserved to be helped.

Building a new house, with the free help of his friends, would cost him 13 lakhs, which is about 15.600 USD. The Indian government helped him with 2 lakhs, so he needed to borrow 10 lakhs – the maximum for a man as he.

I started a fundraiser for him at Gofundme. People reacted positively, and by now (February 2024) we collected 4728 EUR or about 4 lakhs. Prabhu needs another 6 lakhs to pay off his loan, plus 1 lakh for several things that still need to be done, such as finishing 2 outer walls, like this one:

Prabhu has no other way to get money than this fundraiser. Due to his disease he works irregularly, and the money he earns is quickly spent on feeding the family, paying his medicines and those of his children, who go through the standard pattern of children’s diseases, while one of his sons has bad eyesight and needed spectacles, a misfortune that made Prabhu ask for some extra money from his benefactors.

Meanwhile the house has been built from the borrowed money. See the entrance, showing the name of the proud owner:

Prabhu was able to pay back 2/5 of the loan from gifts to this fundraiser by generous souls world wide. It’s a great help that we have some donors who send money regulary. It tells me this fundraiser is appreciated by various people. I only wish there were more of them!

Now the other 3/5 of the loan is waiting to be paid back and that's why I do an appeal to you to help this poor, ill man and his family.

I do invite you to send some money to this fundraiser - regularly or once in a liftetime. Your gift is very well appreciated by Prabhu and his family, who would have to live on the street without your generosity. And do know it is highly appreciated by the Lord whose children we all are, yeah, so much, that He promises to give you back your gift plus a whole lot more!

Please, do know you're making a family in need very happy. Here they are, in front of their new house:

Thank you for bearing with me and thank you in advance for your gift!

P.S. Meet Prabhu at X: @Prabhu69458857