Along with Don Messer and two devoted Center volunteers, I recently returned from our journey to India and Sri Lanka. For me, it was a first visit to these countries—but not a first encounter with the spirit that defines our work. Long after the jet lag fades, what will remain with me are the smiles, the conversations, and the deep sense of shared humanity we experienced with our partners and with those we serve. Our journey took us to Kolkata, Chennai, Namakkal, and Koli Hills (India), along with time spent in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Education and advocacy are foundational to the Center’s mission, and throughout our visit we engaged in workshops and presentations with nursing students and individuals receiving support in drug rehabilitation centers. Long-time Center volunteer, Dr. Burt Golub, generously shared his perspective as an infectious disease physician who witnessed firsthand the devastation of the HIV and AIDS crisis in the 1980s and 1990s, as well as the remarkable progress made in recent decades. Thoughtful and often courageous questions followed—about prevention, treatment, and living well with HIV. It was especially heartening to learn that, in many cases, life-saving medications are accessible to those who need them most.
At the same time, we confronted a reality that continues to demand our attention: stigma and discrimination persist. We heard that fear and misinformation can wound more deeply than the virus itself. This truth only strengthens our resolve. The Center remains steadfast in its commitment to dignity, education, and compassion—working to ensure that no one is defined or diminished by a diagnosis.
The proverb “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime” came to life for us in India. Vocational training and income-generating initiatives are a vital part of our work. In Chennai, we met individuals who are reshaping their futures with a modest investment and meaningful support. Thanks to Center support, Dhisath and Kaosia have a pushcart to sell bangle bracelets, and Ehil has the equipment to sell fruit at a popular beach. At the Snegidhan & Snegidhi Trans Shelter, we were inspired by Dr. Enba and her team, whose programs have equipped more than 300 people with tailoring and livelihood skills—opening doors to independence, stability, and hope. In Koli Hills, a tailoring program provides training for young women looking to provide for their families.
Health is not only in the name of our organization—it is woven into everything we do. In Namakkal, that commitment takes the form of a health navigator who helps community members access medical care, understand their benefits, and stay on a path toward wellness. We also recognize that health includes mental and emotional well-being. In Chennai, we were honored to witness the launch of the Minne R. Fredericks Grief Support Program, a new Center initiative that equips faith and lay leaders with tools to accompany people through loss and life’s challenges. Supported by a generous donor with deep ties to Chennai, the energy and enthusiasm surrounding this program were truly palpable.
As I reflect on this journey, I’m reminded of "Behind the Beautiful Forevers" by Katherine Boo, a powerful portrait of resilience amid poverty and injustice in Mumbai, India. Many of the individuals we met in India and Sri Lanka face similar struggles: securing daily meals, finding steady work, confronting stigma, and navigating life with HIV. And yet, from the radiant children of Snehakunja Children’s Home in Kolkata to the courageous men of Lanka Plus in Colombo—an organization advocating for the rights and well-being of people affected by HIV and AIDS—we encountered perseverance, dignity, and hope at every turn.
This is the work of people helping people. Of raising our voices alongside those who are stigmatized, vulnerable, and marginalized. While the Center for Health and Hope may be a small nonprofit doing work in a vast world, this journey reaffirmed a powerful truth: your support directly and meaningfully changes lives.
If you would like to learn more about our programs and partnerships in India and Sri Lanka, I welcome you to reach out to me directly. Perhaps you'd like to join the Center on our next journey to India and Sri Lanka? We would more than welcome that! In the words of Katherine Boo, “Hope is not a fiction. Extreme poverty is being alleviated gradually, unevenly, nonetheless significantly.” Through our shared commitment, that hope continues to take root—changing lives, communities, and futures for the better.
Namaste,
Justin Levy
Executive Director
Center for Health and Hope
Trip to India & Sri Lanka (January 2026)