I had the opportunity to visit an amazing organization called “Manukhta Di Sewa,” which translates to “The Service of Humankind” during this trip. To put it simply, I was blown away by what I witnessed.

When we walked in, we were greeted by a cheerful older gentleman with a wide smile. He shook all of our hands and had a glow about him that made my soul feel at ease. A diminutive man who stands just 4 feet 5 inches tall, he reminded me of Pappa Smurf, and I couldn’t help match his smile with one just as big.

We learned that this man had been abandoned by his family in an orphanage at age 15, and through a series of unfortunate circumstances, had been forced into slavery, working backbreaking labour and enduring heartless beatings and torture for over forty years. In looking at him smiling at me while I heard his story, it was hard to fathom what this pure soul had been through.

Fortunately for Bapu Gopal Singh, he was freed from slavery by Manukhta Di Sewa, and now spends his days happily greeting visitors to the complex and listening to his radio.

Next, we met a beautiful little baby named Sukhmani. We learned that her mentally-ill mother was abandoned while pregnant by her family and as a result, she was taken in by Manukhta Di Sewa, where this lovely little angel was born and has spent her entire life to date.

We then met Aarti, a bright-eyed little girl with a heartwarming smile. It was hard to believe that when Manukhta Di Sewa rescued her, she had severe and untreated burns on her back, and was being used as a prop by her father to solicit empathy and alms as he begged for money.

As we toured the facility’s medical wing, we met an elderly woman having lunch on her hospital bed. We were told that she was abused severely by her son, but despite this, she continuously calls out for him.

Finally, we saw a man with a black turban and glasses surrounded by children who were hugging him and holding his hands as he moved through the courtyard. He introduced himself as Gurpreet Singh, and we learned that he was the founder of the organization. Despite what I assume must be a very busy schedule, Gurpreet took the time to speak with us, something I could tell this wasn’t done out of any sort of formality or as a show, but rather out of genuine appreciation and gratitude.

I share this story here for two reasons. The first is selfish, because as I’ve shared before, writing makes me make sense of all that is going on in my head. What I experienced walking through the complex and seeing Bapu Gopal Singh, baby Sukhmani, little Aarti and countless others is best described as a mixed bag of emotions. I’m happy that Manukhta Di Sewa was able to rescue them and turn their lives around, but I’m also saddened because I know there are thousands of men, women and children just like them out there who need help as well. During my time in Punjab on this trip, I’ve been reminded all too well of how bad a lot of people have it here. Every time I go somewhere, I witness extreme poverty and people who need assistance, and feel helpless because I feel as though there is nothing I can do, or overwhelmed because I don’t know how to help.

This leads directly into my second reason for sharing this experience with all of you. Many of you have been to Punjab, so you’ve seen the poverty and dire straits I’m talking about first hand. It’s likely you too have felt a sense of despair, because despite wanting to help, you don’t know where to start.

Manukhta Di Sewa does not accept monetary donations. Instead, they ask you to take care of medical expenses or help pay another one of their bills. I was fortunate enough to be able to be able to use the modest amount of money collected from close family and friends back home to purchase cement for a new building being constructed.

As I’ve mentioned before, we live lives of privilege in Canada. We have more than what we need, yet many of us still want more. Meanwhile, people like those who Manukhta Di Sewa takes in are in desperate need of the most basic of life’s necessities. I’ve seen so many men, women and children on the side of the road, with not just extreme poverty as a foe to battle with, but also severe physical and mental impairment. No matter how much we like to feel sorry for ourselves at times, none of us is even close to suffering as much as any of these people are.

If you are anything like me, you’re very wary of where your money goes, and if you know anything about India, you know there are a lot of scams designed to tug at your heartstrings to get to your wallet. After meeting with Gurpreet and seeing and hearing everything I have, I know for a fact that this organization is different, and one which is truly made to help people in need.

Donations from abroad are difficult to make at this time, but I am here right now. After sharing my experience with a few people, I’ve been asked to make a donation on their behalf. I share this here with everyone who reads it with the help that more people will donate and help those in need. The Canadian dollar goes a long way here, so even the smallest of amounts can make a massive difference.

If you would like to assist, please send me a message or an e-transfer at ghara23@gmail.com by March 08. I will head back to Manukhta Di Sewa’s headquarters and find out where all money collected is needed most and donate accordingly.

This is a wonderful opportunity for us all to help our fellow humans, and no words better sum up why we should do so than those of author Leo Buscaglia:

“It is not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest it be for creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing love to the lost and lonely.”