My bitter experiences that I had to face when I lost my father at age 10, made me realize the pain of growing up fatherless. People I thought were family became strangers. Things that I had taken for granted till then became luxury.
These experiences sensitized me and convinced me that I need to do something for the people who would be walking in the same dark and lonely path. Hence even at a young age, I was always trying to do something to help. Being closely associated with missionaries and ministry work from childhood, I realized how in the name of the poor and needy money was collected but not extended for the cause. I also realized how vast the need is and at times got disappointed knowing my individual efforts alone could not bring drastic change. Hence I started thinking – how about bringing like-minded people together where the vision is shared, to work in partnership to get significant and lasting results. For effective and immediate results unless we join forces we cannot gain any ground. The efforts extended are not to gain fame or name but for the noble cause to reach out to the underprivileged and to do what it takes so as to change their destiny. Thus Shalom Charitable Foundation was formed.
When we hear stories about the poor and their living conditions, we get immediately emotional, guilt kicks in and we decide to support the cause but time puts that nagging feeling to sleep making us to postpone the action that we intended to do. Later we get reminded about our own personal needs and the feeling for charity dies away. Especially when we are busy with our careers and live in a cut throat competitive environment, we don’t have time to search for these neglected poor and needy. Sometimes even if we want to help, we don’t have access to reach these people who live so far away in the dark world of their own. Hence Shalom Charitable Foundation also serves as a “Bridge” where we have “the privileged few” like us on one side who can stand together to meet the needs of “the underprivileged many” on the other side.
And the team is growing as more dynamic and young people who are ready to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged people are joining hands to take the vision forward. If you would want to be part of this movement, join us as we can use extra hands.
We call upon each of you to get in touch with us.
Robbinson Matthew Mayalil