Khusi Hona

Khusi Hona
khusihona.org

    While I was staying in Rishikesh I was fortunate enough to bump into another fellow traveler named Matthew. Matthew and I sat together and chatted amidst the very cold Himalayan winds one evening. We both had electronic readers, a shared North American privilege for sure (thanks Eddie)! Matthews’ story was quite incredible. He grew up in a Christian family, his father was actually a theologian and has published numerous books. Growing up primarily in Africa, I believe South Africa, and moving to Florida in his later years, Matthew was always situated in the missionary work of his family or his church. Last year Matthew was living a fast-paced, go-getter life as a marketing executive in Tampa bay Florida. Finding his work unfulfilling he decided to give it all up and try something new and different. He sold all of his belongings, went to India and established Khusi Hona an organization which networks orphanages throughout India.
  
     For two months Matthew traveled around India visiting orphanage after orphanage and adding them to his network. The network is designed to bring awareness of orphaned children in India, attention to the specific orphanages that exist, and to fuel money and resources directed to the children in need. Matthew wanted to put his marketing skills to good use and so he has. The website is fabulous and the cause is more than essential, particularly in India with such a huge population and too many orphaned children.
   
     Khusi Hona connected with Hoola for Happiness an organization which provides hula hoops to children in India. What a fantastic idea! As a twenty-nine year old woman I still enjoy hula hooping, especially during my travels in India. To bring fun and joy to children in orphanages is such a fantastic idea. It is like Hunter Doherty "Patch" Adams, the doctor who believed laughter was the best medicine and distributed it to all his patients. Kusi Hona has also collaborated with Vitamin Angels, which supply vitamins for children under the age of five, and Freeset Global, which offers employment to girls and women trapped in the sex trade of Kolkata. You can buy a t-shirt through Khusi Hona to support Freeset Global.

      All in all I really appreciated meeting Matthew and hearing all that he is trying to do in India. It takes a lot of courage and strength to give up all of one's comforts, including one's home, and begin building a better life for others in another country.

Best of luck to you Matthew and all of the wonderful children you are helping!