My first visits to the quarry areas revealed a level of poverty that was impossible to ignore. I saw makeshift shacks without lighting or running water. Most painfully, the children were trapped in a cycle of hardship, their potential dimmed because schooling was out of reach.
It was this heartbreaking scene that stirred something deeper in me. I was reminded that God’s love becomes visible when we choose to love one another. Love is not abstract, but active. As I walked through those settlements, I felt a quiet conviction to make that love known in a tangible way.
I began by offering tuition, a small act that quickly grew into deeper relationships with the families. As trust formed, I began to understand the depth of their struggles. My support soon went beyond the classroom, helping with school fees, providing essentials, arranging medical check-ups and running summer camps to keep learning alive.
Each child’s story was different, often marked by loss or struggle. Some were lovingly cared for by grandparents after losing both parents. Others had lost a mother or father, leaving emotional and financial gaps that made education uncertain. Many families faced the daily challenge of finding food, maintaining hygiene and keeping a roof over their heads.
Witnessing both their resilience and their vulnerability deepened my resolve. It moved me from simply wanting to help, towards working through every necessary step to begin providing the committed, tailored support needed to lift these children towards the future they deserve.
God’s love must be lived out, not merely received. As the New Testament church was taught, ‘...since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.’ (1 John 4:11)
Thomas Swaroop,
Founder, ACCESS
Reflect
'And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross.'
Philippians 2:8
Pray
- Pray that your giving today would come from love, not obligation, a reflection of Jesus’ own surrender.
- Ask God to show you what it means to give in a way that truly costs yet brings joy.
- Thank Him for the ultimate gift of His Son, who gave everything for us.
Act
A generosity challenge for you to complete today:
| Think of someone who might be curious about faith or just starting out. Gift them a Bible, a Christian biography or a devotional guide with a short, handwritten note inside. Let it be a simple gift that points them to God’s love. |
About ACCESS
ACCESS is a Christian charity in Bangalore, India, working to give thousands of children the best possible start in life and reach their full potential.
Through its centres and community programmes, ACCESS provides education, nutrition and family support, helping hundreds of children and families each year to thrive and build brighter futures.
