The Point is Helping ...

The English language, probably like any other, has it’s funny sides. One of them, for me, is the word helping (which of course was in my mind whilst out at Helpingpoint India during November ’23)

Helping: to give assistance or support to (someone): to provide (someone) with something that is useful or necessary in achieving an end. 

Secondly - : to make more pleasant or bearable

BOTH these meanings were evident as I moved from area to area, visiting homes, projects and above all … the people that are helped by Helpingpoint here in Orissa and Adrah Pradesh - East India.

St Simon school is a prime example of children and young people being helped into education that would otherwise elude them. The system is beautiful in its simplicity, all are welcome. Those who can pay, well .. they pay, those who struggle .. they get assistance and those who can’t … they get paid for by supporters. Beautiful as all are made to feel equal.

Staff at this school are employed, but somehow, I got the feeling that their commitment was one of servanthood, going the extra mile – all while state schools would offer them a higher remuneration. Once again, beautiful.

As for the young people, well where do I start. Story after story of being the first in the family to be educated. Story after story of thankfulness for opportunities they might not have had if it wasn’t for Helpingpont. So yes, ‘helping’ in all its meanings is evident in all we do. That’s the point I’m trying to make here. We can all help, that’s the point. A little donation, a regular gift or even, better than those (however much there is a financial need) – go and visit, go on, we dare you !!

E Cornelisse on his 2nd visit in November 2023