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“It is better to give than to receive.”

We’ve all heard it. Maybe even nodded along in agreement. But what if this isn’t just a moral ideal? What if giving is one of the most powerful ways to transform your own life?

Because here’s the truth: You are elevated when you elevate others.

From small acts of kindness to a deep commitment to a cause, your life expands when you give. And the benefits go far beyond feeling good—generosity can change your happiness, health, and even your sense of purpose.

A Personal Awakening

Poverty isn’t one-size-fits-all.

I grew up poor in one sense—we had few clothes, and when something tore, my mom would sew it back together. I slept in the kitchen for a few years, and at times, our meals lacked variety.

But I never really felt poor because everyone around me was on the same level.

Then we moved to Mozambique, and I saw true extreme poverty—the kind the World Bank defines as living on less than $2 a day.

Families living in one-room homes with dirt floors and corrugated steel roofs. Parents sharing beds with their children, sometimes not knowing where their next meal would come from.

Experiencing this firsthand changed me. And since my mid-20s, I’ve committed my life to serving the poor—whether it was:

✅ Orphans in Russia

✅ Refugees in Ukraine

✅ Inner-city children in the U.S.

✅ Programs in Latin America and Africa

Each project reinforced this life-altering truth:

Giving doesn’t just change others—it transforms you.

The Science of Generosity: Why Giving Changes You

It turns out that generosity isn’t just good for the recipient—it’s life-changing for the giver.

🔹 Happiness & Mental Health – Giving releases dopamine and oxytocin, creating a lasting sense of fulfillment and joy.

🔹 Physical Health – Studies show that those who give regularly experience lower stress, better heart health, and even longer lifespans.

🔹 Financial Well-Being – Generous people tend to attract more opportunities, build stronger networks, and experience greater career success.

But perhaps the most profound benefit—giving gives your life meaning.

Because fulfillment doesn’t come from success alone—it comes from significance.

The Biggest Obstacle to Giving—And How to Overcome It

It’s never “the right time” to get involved in a cause.

There’s always too little time, too little money, too little emotional bandwidth.

I get it. I’ve felt it too. But here’s what I’ve learned:

💡 We always make time, money, and emotional energy for what truly matters.

And when we prioritize giving, something incredible happens—those resources multiply.

Instead of draining us, giving fuels us. Instead of feeling like an obligation, it becomes a source of energy and joy.

Ascend Academy: Changing Lives in Mozambique

This belief is what led me to co-found the Ascend Academy in Maputo, Mozambique—a country I knew well from my childhood. I understood the language, the culture, and the depth of need.

The Ascend Academy is an afterschool program designed to provide an immersive change of environment for kids who otherwise know nothing but extreme poverty.

For several hours a day, they:

✅ Spend time in a clean, air-conditioned space

✅ Receive a nutritious meal

✅ Are mentored by volunteers from a local church

✅ Learn character, values, English, and computer skills

The results are life-changing.

🎓 Most become top students in their classes.

💡 They develop a sense of belonging and optimism.

🌍 They begin to dream—aspiring to become teachers, doctors, and entrepreneurs.

The shift in their perspective is striking.

Parents and caregivers are amazed at how engaged, expressive, and hopeful their children become. Because for a few hours each day, they live in a different reality—one where they see possibility instead of limitation.

And before stepping into a different future, they begin to imagine it for themselves.

We believe many of them will escape poverty for generations to come.

📺 Watch this short video to see Ascend Academy in action.

How You Can Be Part of This

If you’re moved by this, I’d love for you to join me in serving these kids.

There are several ways to get involved based on your capacity and desire to make an impact:

💙 Ascend Donor – A one-time or monthly donation that directly supports meals, education, and mentorship for these children.

🏢 Ascend Angel – Have your company sponsor the program, funding key resources and expanding the impact.

🤝 Ascend Partner – Organizations that share a missional synergy and want to collaborate in long-term, transformative ways.

🎖️ Ascend Patron – Private donors committed to substantial yearly donations, ensuring sustainability and growth for the academy.

Every year or two, we take a group of donors to see the impact firsthand. It’s a life-changing experience, and I highly recommend it.

If you feel moved, simply respond to this email—I’d love to connect and share more.

Because when you lift others up, you rise too.

Want to hear more stories crazy stories and how philanthropy became an important part of life? Watch this episode of Little Book Stories: