Today is election day. On the one hand I am disheartened by the seemingly endless and intensifying polarity in thinking in our culture. I am also all too aware of the political struggles in Nepal and most recently, in Kashmir where the fighting is literal and people are struggling to survive with no work, constant curfews, constant tension. It’s easy to feel worried.

On the other hand, three people have recently become new sponsors of children they have never met. These people have opened their hearts to reach out and lend support and encouragement; sending a child to school. This fills me with hope and pride. In this work that I do with Shanti, the kindness of the sponsors is always an affirmation. I am repeatedly surprised by the speed with which people respond to a need and jump in to provide money and caring. It is a moving experience and makes this work a joy.

I vote, I do what I can to effect change for the better. Often it feels insubstantial. But when I see the faces of the Shanti kids, read their letters, watch them grow, learn and thrive, I know we are making a contribution that is going to move out into the world and the future in positive ways that we cannot even imagine. We are helping to create self reliant, educated adults who will fashion the future and hopefully make a better world. I know they will remember the kindness that was shown to them when they were in need. Perhaps they will pay that kindness forward.