How To Make a Small Difference in a Big World

I am always amazed when people tell me what they are passionate about. Whether it's music, skateboarding, video games or books, their passion for the topic shines through. The light in their eyes sparkle and their smiles are genuine.

But when someone tells me about a passion project that helps someone else in some small way - which could be a monumental way to those they are helping - that's truly amazing.

Rhonda Brant Hampton, a local resident, stopped into my office to let me know about the work her brother Roger and sister-in-law Kelley were doing in Moldova. What she didn't realize was the work SHE is doing is just as important to the cause, but she seemed a bit worried on how others saw her work.

"I don't want people to think I'm hoarding the baby clothes!" she said with a laugh. You see, Rhonda spends hours of her days sifting through the baby clothes donated to the Whitehall Ladies Auxiliary Country Store, purchasing them to send them to Roger & Kelley's establishment in Moldova, Fields of Joy Moldova.

Fields of Joy Moldova is home where Roger and Kelley admit trafficked women and their children, helping them with clothing, education, life skills, and teaching them about Christianity - which is not forced, but introduced.

"People ask why Moldova - why am I helping some place so far away?" she said. Rhonda explained that Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, and many of these woman were trafficked in order to provide for themselves or their families.

"These girls don't understand why we, or anyone, would want to help them - it's so foreign to them," Rhonda explained.

"I go and get clothing for the Ladies Auxiliary and I just want people to know that our donations are affecting others on a larger scale." Rhonda said that Kelley usually packs several bags as full as possible on trips back to Moldova, where she has a permanent visa, but they are working to get a shipping container arranged. "And then the fun of packing it full begins!" she said with a laugh.

The house currently homes 6-7 women with their children, ages; four girls, ages 1 month to 6 years old, and seven boys, ages 1 month to 7 years old. Sizes searched for are Girls 2T, 3-4T, 5-6, 6-9 months, and shoes 22-25; Boys 6-9 month, 12-18 month, 3T, 4T and shoe s 22-25.

"The difference Kelley and Roger are making is amazing. These girls call them grandma and grandpa; they are positive influences in their lives," Rhonda said proudly.

What I wanted to tell Rhonda was that her passionate contribution was just as admirable in its own right.

So how do you make a small impact in such a big world? Passion. Find something you are passionate about and take it as far as you can. It may not seem that big to you - picking up secondhand clothes where you are able - but to someone who has nothing, you are giving them the world.