The Butterfly Effect of Kindness: Iran's Story

One small act of kindness changed everything.

📍 Jaipur, India: A Chance Encounter

It was another scorching day in Jaipur, India, where we were out connecting with those living on the streets offering transformations, conversations, and dignity to those so often unseen. That’s when I first saw Iran.

He was sitting quietly on the edge of a busy street, his posture bent, eyes hollow, radiating a deep sadness. There was something about him something fragile yet familiar.

He looked like he was in pain, physically and emotionally. I couldn’t shake it.

We returned the next day to find him. And sure enough, he was still there, in the exact same spot.

🗣 A Silent Conversation

As we approached, I asked my translator to speak with him but quickly learned that Iran didn’t understand Hindi. He only spoke a bit of a local dialect, just enough to say a few words.

Still, he understood our intentions. When we offered help, he nodded gently.

🧼 The Transformation Begins

What followed was one of the most moving transformations I’ve ever witnessed.

We began by cleaning him up washing his hands and face, trimming his hair, and giving him a fresh change of clothes. Slowly, the light returned to his eyes. It was like watching someone come back to life.

He became playful, smiling, even cheeky like a little boy again. Underneath his weathered expression was someone innocent, full of love. We could tell he struggled with mental health, and he also had a severe case of scoliosis, which was clearly causing him pain.

Afterwards, we took him out for a warm meal and checked him into a hotel where he could rest for a few nights. I also made sure to visit the local food vendor who had been quietly feeding Iran out of pure kindness every day and I gave him money to continue helping others like Iran.

🌍 The Video That Reached the World

A few days later, I posted a video of Iran’s transformation on Facebook.
It exploded.

Over 100 million people watched and shared his story. The world responded with so much love, compassion, and the same curiosity I felt: Who is this man?

Then, something completely unexpected happened…

👪 The Call That Changed Everything

I woke up to a phone call from my team.

“Iran’s family saw the video. They’ve been looking for him for 17 years.”

I was stunned. It turns out, he wasn’t from India at all he was from Nepal. His family had lost contact with him nearly two decades ago and had no idea if he was even alive.

Through the miracle of timing, technology, and the collective energy of millions, we were able to fly his family to Jaipur. They embraced their long lost son now safe, cared for, and found.

Today, Iran is back in Nepal, living peacefully at home with his family.

💛 The Ripple That Sparked a Movement

That one moment changed my life.

Iran taught me that a single act of kindness can create a ripple so powerful, it can reconnect families, reignite hope, and rewrite destinies.

This is what I now call:

The Butterfly Effect of Kindness.

Because you never know what one small act might do.

🥘 Because of You…

Your support allowed us to help Iran and over 200,000 others by funding meals through our verified giving partners.

Thank you for being a part of this movement.