Self-Sufficiency for a Family of 6
Donation protected
LET'S RAISE A FAMILY OF 6 OUT OF POVERTY
The direct beneficiaries of this campaign are Amit and the other members of "my Indian family" who live together in one or two rooms in the slums of Delhi, India. In addition to him there is his wife, Bhagwati; his mother, "Mama;" and his three kids: my adopted nephew, Dhruv, 14; my adopted niece, Anushka, 8; and my other adopted nephew, Jitu, 5. "Adopted" is an informal thing, for sure, but early on when I would refer to Amit's kids he would immediately correct me and say, your nephews, your niece. We call each other Brother, his kids call me Uncle, and his mother calls me her son while I call her Mama, such is the nature of the relationships we have cultivated and developed over the last three and a half years.
The funds being raised will allow Amit to buy himself an auto-rickshaw, also known locally as a "tuk-tuk" -- the three-wheeled, motorized vehicles that are ubiquitous in the city, a type of taxi cab. Virtually immediately, he will be in business for himself and will be able to start earning regular income, an incredible opportunity for a man who is illiterate in his own language. He goes out into the city every morning of every day, including Saturdays and Sundays, to forage for work with usually disappointing results. The amount of $3K represents 50% down on a new vehicle (the used market is not so great there and financing the balance is, actually, quite inexpensive).
Because of a crack-down on the type of work he would resort to when all else failed -- directing tourists to various travel agencies and retail establishments for a tiny commission, something he disdains because of how fraught it is with corruption (thus, the crackdown) and how challenging it is to be an honest broker in that world -- time is of the essence. He has had virtually no work for close to four months and his smile often betrays the stress. Expenses and (small, recent) debts are mounting, not to mention the endless needs of three growing kids who are re-starting school as we speak. Because he doesn't read and write, his options are extremely limited, at best. And unlike many of his friends and relations, he is the sole breadwinner in his household.
It will mean the world to me to help make this happen for this family. He and they don't ever complain about anything despite living in the grips of poverty. Ever. They talk about health and wealth and "keep smile," even when it's darker than dark. No sooner does he collect enough money to catch up on rent from the previous two months than someone gets sick and the money goes to the doctor and the stress of being thrown out of where they live becomes ever-present. I've seen Amit literally crack open his oldest boy's bank account for the equivalent of $50 because he was out of options. Every week brings more stories like these. He values education for his kids above all else and is looking forward to having time and money to be able to take classes himself to learn to read and write and, thus, broaden his opportunities.
(During their summer break, the family spends time in their hometown. This photo is of them doing "extra homework" during that time. Education is a tremendous value, but it is a challenge to afford it.)
* * *
I thank you in advance for considering this campaign -- either because you know me and trust me and how much I vouch for this family or because someone you know is vouching for me. So many people are in need and there are so many pulls on our heartstrings to give to so many different causes. But please know that in this case, your generous contribution will go directly to a delightful family, will not only help to lift them out of poverty, but will surely, over time, help others as well because that is the nature of their culture.
P E A C E ,
Steven
(If you would like to make your donation anonymous, here's info about that: https://support.gofundme.com/hc/en-us/articles/203687114-Making-a-Donation-Anonymous.)
(Nice expression, huh?)
The direct beneficiaries of this campaign are Amit and the other members of "my Indian family" who live together in one or two rooms in the slums of Delhi, India. In addition to him there is his wife, Bhagwati; his mother, "Mama;" and his three kids: my adopted nephew, Dhruv, 14; my adopted niece, Anushka, 8; and my other adopted nephew, Jitu, 5. "Adopted" is an informal thing, for sure, but early on when I would refer to Amit's kids he would immediately correct me and say, your nephews, your niece. We call each other Brother, his kids call me Uncle, and his mother calls me her son while I call her Mama, such is the nature of the relationships we have cultivated and developed over the last three and a half years.
The funds being raised will allow Amit to buy himself an auto-rickshaw, also known locally as a "tuk-tuk" -- the three-wheeled, motorized vehicles that are ubiquitous in the city, a type of taxi cab. Virtually immediately, he will be in business for himself and will be able to start earning regular income, an incredible opportunity for a man who is illiterate in his own language. He goes out into the city every morning of every day, including Saturdays and Sundays, to forage for work with usually disappointing results. The amount of $3K represents 50% down on a new vehicle (the used market is not so great there and financing the balance is, actually, quite inexpensive).
Because of a crack-down on the type of work he would resort to when all else failed -- directing tourists to various travel agencies and retail establishments for a tiny commission, something he disdains because of how fraught it is with corruption (thus, the crackdown) and how challenging it is to be an honest broker in that world -- time is of the essence. He has had virtually no work for close to four months and his smile often betrays the stress. Expenses and (small, recent) debts are mounting, not to mention the endless needs of three growing kids who are re-starting school as we speak. Because he doesn't read and write, his options are extremely limited, at best. And unlike many of his friends and relations, he is the sole breadwinner in his household.
It will mean the world to me to help make this happen for this family. He and they don't ever complain about anything despite living in the grips of poverty. Ever. They talk about health and wealth and "keep smile," even when it's darker than dark. No sooner does he collect enough money to catch up on rent from the previous two months than someone gets sick and the money goes to the doctor and the stress of being thrown out of where they live becomes ever-present. I've seen Amit literally crack open his oldest boy's bank account for the equivalent of $50 because he was out of options. Every week brings more stories like these. He values education for his kids above all else and is looking forward to having time and money to be able to take classes himself to learn to read and write and, thus, broaden his opportunities.
(During their summer break, the family spends time in their hometown. This photo is of them doing "extra homework" during that time. Education is a tremendous value, but it is a challenge to afford it.)* * *
I thank you in advance for considering this campaign -- either because you know me and trust me and how much I vouch for this family or because someone you know is vouching for me. So many people are in need and there are so many pulls on our heartstrings to give to so many different causes. But please know that in this case, your generous contribution will go directly to a delightful family, will not only help to lift them out of poverty, but will surely, over time, help others as well because that is the nature of their culture.
P E A C E ,
Steven
(If you would like to make your donation anonymous, here's info about that: https://support.gofundme.com/hc/en-us/articles/203687114-Making-a-Donation-Anonymous.)
(Nice expression, huh?)
Organizer
Steven Morrison
Organizer
Idyllwild, CA
