As coordinator of Unique Friends Humanitarian and Development Organisation, one of the questions I ask myself most is, “Can I really make a lasting change in people’s lives?” The simple answer is: Yes, you can.
The problems in our communities are vast. There aren’t enough resources. Education isn’t always available. Clean water can be difficult to find. Poverty is overwhelming. It can be difficult to look into the eyes of a child who is being treated and know that they very well may be injured or become sick again after returning to the same environment that made them sick to begin with.
Many times, though, we have an opportunity to touch lives in a very lasting way.
So many people suffer from lack of access to the most basic medical care. Every time I travel to rural communities, I hear of someone new who has died from “sickness,” or some other undiagnosed illness that likely could have been treated. Adults and children alike suffer from infections. They urinate blood, they go blind, and diarrhea leaves them constantly weak and distracted. The most basic treatment really does mean the difference between life and death for many of these people. And that’s just the beginning of the difference we can make.
I’m always humbled by the kindness shown by these people even in their situation. People who have nothing strive to make you fill comfortable when you visit their communities to offer the little help you may have.
There’s something else, too.
When you care enough about others to leave your family, friends and comforts behind to make a difference in their lives, something happens inside of you. You discover that the secret to happiness is not in what you have, it’s in what you give away. And in that way, you will absolutely make a difference—in yourself.