As the Co-Founder of an organization whose mission is to holistically help orphans in countries around the world, I often get asked the question, “Why focus on other countries? We have so much need right here in the U.S.? Why not here?”  I recently read an article that has an incredible way of articulating what I have experienced and, in part, helps clarify my answer for me. It reads ;

If I had the power to snap my fingers and immediately grant every young person in America a week’s vacation to a third world country, I would do it. [After a trip there] my wife and our two teenage children and I came back “changed” in many ways and one of the most significant ways was that we no longer take for granted the vast and complex “infrastructure” of our own country. We need “re-educate” ourselves about the national educational, transportation, scientific and social research, health, safety, energy, communication, natural and wildlife preservation, legal, social justice, national security, law enforcement, etc. “infrastructures” that are all so crucial to the individual prosperity of the US and opportunity available, unevenly, to all the citizens, of this great country.

I am not naive to think the U.S. is perfect with no needs and no problems. We do have them! Terrible ones in places. (and the systems that we have in place to meet those needs are far from perfect), However, it is simply shocking to see the level of suffering that the majority populations of under developed countries are dealing with as a result of infrastructure’s absence.  There is little or most often no government programs for any kind of welfare.  Many live without access to medical care, clean water, adequate food, education or jobs. There simply is no hope or opportunity to work hard, and to make a life for you and your family.

I feel extremely blessed that by simple providence I was born in the United States and live in a country that cares so much for its people.  I have a new perspective.  And, yet at the same time, when we have our basic needs met with money remaining, there are few joys I have experienced to be able to give a child a chance… a chance at the simplest most basic essentials to life.  There is something that stirs deep inside of me when I see a child experience what it feels like to just be… human… to be loved… and have hope.

 

Article Reference: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/09/why-infrastructure-should-be-sexy-lessons-from-uganda-russia-and-china/244874/