We were taught that the strongest survives, and to “hold on” instead of “give up”. A lot of people are skeptical about charity work and ask me, “Tam, why should we give to the point of inconvenience?” But is it really love..if it doesn’t cost you anything? Journey with me how I developed the conviction that life is much more beautiful in the giving.

The fight against injustice became personal when, on 8th grade, I went on my school’s social trip to Dolok Sanggul, North Sumatra. After a 4-hour drive inland, I arrived at the school I would teach at. I saw little children, in their school uniform, shoeless, ran towards me with the widest smiles. My friend and I asked these kids, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “Doctors..teachers…soccer players…Cops!" they said. With the poverty around them and their lack of access to resources, I was skeptical and heartbroken. The trip changed the trajectory of my life. One, I was convinced happiness is never contingent on our circumstances. Two, I committed my life to serve children and communities like theirs.

The journey progressed upon entering middle school. On 2013, my best friends and I initiated a non-profit, Second Chance Initiative. 6 years later, now we run a weekly tutoring center, provide microfinance to families living in poverty, and sponsor kids to school. I could never betray the faces and stories I have encountered: The widow who was thankful for not having to worry about having food on the table; the grandmother who can finally rest from scavenging for trashes all day to put her granddaughters to school; the shouts of joy when our tutored kids can finally answer their homework correctly.They left a huge dent in my heart: that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Then it was college, and I was challenged to not give only what I have, but who I am.

I love Jesus because He is always in the work of redeeming what once was broken into something beautiful. My beauty with a purpose journey started in trusting God’s identity for me— He has created me uniquely beautiful and is continually moulding me each day to become His beloved. I, whose voice has been taken away as a young girl, is now able to give voice for others. I have known lost; I have known injustice; I have known suffering. I want to turn these scars to give hope to those without, encouraging “I have been there, you will make it, and I will help you get there.”

Each of us has been gifted me with opportunities and talents to bless those around us. Who are you walking with daily, that you can bless..with your smile, talents, or stories?

Beauty with a purpose is not merely strands of projects marked on the calendar.

It is a lifestyle. It is the response to the unexpected “Help-me”s that challenges us to make service a lifestyle. I would be lying if I say loving others is easy. Helping is costly and we get tired too. But what drives me is this joy in the sacrifices and the harvest of passions. People don’t follow visions, they follow availability.

Like those students in Dolok Sanggul whom despite having little, gave me great joy, It is in the giving of ourselves, that we find life’s deep fulfilment.

It has been an absolute joy to find my calling—the place where the world’s deep hunger and my own’s deep gladness meet—in helping others’ find their purpose. What about you? In which field do you find your giftings, passion, and purpose meet. Here is to a world filled with hearts to love, and hands to serve.

X,

Tam