Why Does Charity Farms Mean So Much to Me?

(Written March 18, 2009)

There comes a time when most, if not all of us will want to try and find some way to make some difference in the world. But for us, it is never enough for it to be some transitory, temporary thing. We want to have an actual, visceral impact. All my life, I’ve been frustrated by the feeling I have that I can never do enough; especially for those that I really care about. It is painful for me to think that I can never actually help those that I love. That frustration is still alive and well today. If we are to constantly suffer, or at least consistently re-enter a cycle of happiness and suffering, is any amount of offered service ever valid? Really, what is the point of serving, if this cycle will inevitably continue?

It is far too easy to allow ourselves to spiral down to where we will seriously consider these questions. These questions are seeds of lies. Sometimes, during our own darkest moments, we fail to see the reality of the human connection, and then suddenly everything seems pointless. I’ve been there. Ironically, the idea of Charity Farms was brought to my attention during the last time I was in this dark place. It couldn’t have been better timing.

This beautiful concept was introduced to me by my friend Kerry, who is pained every time he thinks of suffering children in third-world countries. If something like Charity Farms were in place today, those same children would not be suffering.

For the benefit of those who don’t know, let me explain the vision of Charity Farms, as I see it. The idea is that we will buy pieces of land in different parts of the world, (including this country) and have a farm on that land with veggies, fruits, grains, animals, etc. Also on that land will be an educational facility where people will be able to come and learn how to provide for themselves and for their loved ones. In connection with this company, we will eventually run orphanages with a very strong emphasis on education and life-survival skills. The beneficiaries of the farms, educational facilities, and orphanages will be primarily the homeless, the impoverished, and the orphans. These people will have an opportunity to have work experience, farming experience, learn how to feed themselves and others, and learn essential skills and principles that will have a lasting impact throughout the rest of their lives.

But the vision of Charity Farms really even goes so much deeper than this. The strongest emphasis of our services will be on the orphans in countries outside of North America. These young orphans have very little opportunity, if any at all. If they are able to be in an orphanage, most of these orphanages focus only on giving food, shelter, and clothing. When they reach the age of 18, and have not been placed in foster homes, they will be out of the “system,” and will enter the world having no education on how to face the rigors of life. A discouraging and staggering number of these orphans end up on the streets; involved in crime, drugs, and prostitution; and a high number of them will very unfortunately commit suicide. We want to offer these kids genuine love. Love is a healing power that is far more powerful than anything else. As a human family, the amount of love we can give together is literally limitless.

I think that there are people who consider suicide, who will genuinely believe there is no one out there who cares. Beyond that, they believe that they have nothing to give to this world. If they have nothing to give, what is the point of anything? The world that these orphans are accustomed to presents to them the idea that there truly are no opportunities to become anything more than just slaves to a never-ending cycle, which will always end in suffering. As we offer them opportunities for education, character development, human interactions, etc., we will not only be giving hope, but we will be saving lives.

This is something that can only be done together. I believe that one person can change the world, but it will sure go a heck of a lot faster, and have more of an effect as we put forth the effort together.

As these people learn how to take care of themselves, that will empower them to then be able to take care of others around them. And isn’t that what this life is all about? Is there anything more satisfying than being able to help and lift each other? Selfless service is the gateway to true and lasting joy.

These people that cameras don’t see are literally our brothers and sisters in very much the same way as the people we physically interact with on a daily basis. Charity Farms will simply act as a vehicle by which we will be able to take care of the members of our extended family, who are as far away as the other side of the world. The mileage between us in no way diminishes or takes away from the very real human connection that we all share. We all live in the same world. As we take on our responsibility to take care of and lift each other, by first improving ourselves, this human connection will inevitably be strengthened, and this already strikingly beautiful world will be a much better place because of it.