For the A to Z Blogging Challenge, I’m blogging 26 days in April based on the alphabet and bringing you stories from the nonprofit Project Why.
Xavier Ray, one of Project Why’s biggest donors and supporters, is a successful French businessman who has been coming to India since his backpacker days. Perhaps that’s why India became the preferred destination of his travel agency. He has numerous friends in India all belonging to one side of the fence. Project Why enabled him to cross the invisible line and fall in love unconditionally with the other side.
Xavier never does anything halfway. He first came to Project Why in 2002, when it was in an embryonic state and they had just opened the Special section. He spent time with the special needs kids and as it was time to go home, offered to take them in his big car leaving the driver somewhat perplexed. When he left, there was no envelope or hurriedly-retrieved banknotes from a used wallet. There was a promise to help.
For the next few months there was no news from him, and Project Why thought that perhaps he had forgotten them. In early 2003, they got an email from him saying that he had been so moved by Project Why that he’d decided to set up an organization in Paris to support them long-term. He has been doing just that for the last 13 years!
Enfances Indiennes is Project Why’s longest regular donor. It has stood by them through thick and thin and has always reached out to them in difficult times. It has also created a network of supporters in France who have become friends. Over and above the much needed fundraising, Enfances Indiennes send regular volunteers and visitors to Project Why. They organize a Project Why Tour every two years, bringing people to spend some time with the children.
Xavier functions much as Project Why. As he sees with his heart. He’s always on board, whatever the challenge. Each time the Project has taken up a new ‘Why’ he is always there to back them all the way.
Over the years Xavier has become the friend you seek when in trouble or doubt, the shoulder you cry on when you need to vent your feelings, the sounding board before making a decision. He is always there.
Xavier has established special bonds with each and everyone. He is Javire Sahib to the auto rickshaw drivers, Xavier Sir to the team and Utpal’s French papa.
Project Why would nor be what it is without the very special touch of Xavier Ray.
To Donate Project Why, CLICK HERE.
To Contact Project Why, Click Here
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Glad to read your ProjectWhy posts – just haven’t been able to think of anything to comment sensibly about!
Jemima Pett
What an inspiration! Xavier is truly a special person.
J here, of the #atozchallenge Arlee Bird’s A to Z Ambassador Team.
Have you enjoyed the challenge? Did you hop to other blogs? The end of the alphabet here! Reflections sign up is May 9– mark a calendar.
My blog’s giveaway is still going. I’m encouraging everyone to visit more stops.
http://jlennidornerblog.what-are-they.com
Aww. That’s one heck of a guy. Hope he’s always remembered for doing such great deeds.
great, inspiring
“he sees with his heart”
That’s the best part.
You are a wonderful person, and obviously Xavier is too. Thank you for all you’re doing for this great challenge. Talk to you later.
We need thousands more Xaviers in our world. So wonderful that you have a chance to extoll him and his work here.
Love the international support Project Why attracts, especially the fact that visitors don’t go home and forget the promises they’ve made. It takes a village, for sure, but also a world community and that fact gets clearer everyday! Thank you Xavier Ray, for being a warrior for good!
Hi Damyanti – how very thought provoking and how humble he is … fascinating post – you keep telling us so many different facets to Project Why – it’s lovely and just marvellous how generous people from around the globe can be … what a great way to set a link up from France direct to Project Why … it must make so much difference …
Cheers Hilary