In 4th grade, my visit to an orphanage in La Romana, Dominican Republic, reshaped my world. Confronted with children without parents, my heart ached. That profound encounter ignited a lifelong mission. Every holiday transformed into a chance to connect with orphans, delivering essentials and offering hope.

The pandemic’s wake amplified the global orphan crisis. Motivated by their plight, I raised $150,000, ensuring they had clothing, food, education, and PPE.

With the emergence of United Orphans, our outreach expanded. When news of the Ukraine crisis broke, a poignant image from CNN stirred my soul: a young boy at the Polish border, eyes wet with tears, tightly gripping a stuffed toy. I knew I had to step in. Rallying a dedicated team of volunteers, we embarked on a mission to Ukraine. Hand-delivering goods from our Amazon Wish List, we made certain the aid reached those innocent eyes, those desperate hands. Their gratitude, their smiles, were our reward.

This personal journey reinforced my belief: We might not change the entire world, but for one child, our world can change everything.

With heartfelt dedication,

Sahaj G. Vaghasia