What is it like to have to flee your home? Imagine your neighbor is shot and killed by gangs, and they have decided you are their next target. How would you take care of your family while trying to stay safe, find a new home and hopefully find a job? If you had to leave your country suddenly, what would you expect to find waiting for you when you arrived someplace new?

For millions of people, the United States represents their best hope for reestablishing themselves after a traumatic upheaval at home. People immigrate to this country largely in search of greater possibilities for economic stability and a peaceful place to raise their families. As you might, they often gravitate toward cities and towns where other people from their home country have found work, where they might get a job, find a place to worship in their own language, and save a little money to send home.

Wadsen Desir's story is the story of thousands of Haitians who have fled the extreme violence after the coup that left the country without a government and largely under the dominance of violent gangs. He went to Springfield in January, and in this episode, he shares his story with me, and with you.

The Generosity Pod: Episode One—Introducing the Podcast

Welcome to "The Generosity Pod," the podcast that explores the importance of generosity in an increasingly cynical world. I'm your host, Robynn Farkas.

Do you ever get the urge to just give it all away? Walk down any street in any American city and you will find someone in need, holding a sign, asking for help. Your mailbox, email, text messages are probably pinging you with pleas for donations every day. But what does it mean to be truly generous? And what really motivates us to give when we are asked.

I have been a fundraiser for great nonprofit organizations for three decades, and I will tell you, the answers to those questions are complex and subjective. Because money is something we all interact with, think about and understand differently, the act of giving it away is also different for everyone.

I am starting this podcast to share the inspiring stories of altruism, philanthropy and real charity that have been my life’s passion as a fundraiser. I am a big fan of generous people, but I also understand the dark side of charity. In future episodes, I to examine how charitable can be a solution to seemingly intractable problems, but also how philanthropy creates power structures of inequality and competition between organizations. We will look at trends in charitable giving impacting both big-money philanthropies and the grass roots fundraisers that triumph against the odds, and in the process shaping the global political and human rights landscape.

I am fascinated by recent research on how giving can create more happiness in everyday life and the unexpected ways our physical and psychological well-being can be enhance when we embrace generosity as a way of life.

In this series, I will introduce you to some of the fascinating people I have met in 30 years of working in the NGO sector worldwide. We will tell you inspiring stories about how conflicts are being resolved by small and large organizations across the globe, featuring individuals and organizations that exemplify the spirit of giving. We'll hear from experts and thought leaders who will shed light on the latest research and trends in the nonprofit sector, and we'll discuss innovative approaches to philanthropy—who gives, who gets, and why that matters to everyone.

Whether you're a philanthropist, a seasoned fundraiser, a passionate volunteer, or simply someone who believes in the power of giving, The Generosity Pod is here to inspire, inform, and ignite your passion for using your money to create happiness. Yes! We will also examine scientific evidence that money can buy happiness, if you are willing to give it away.

Join me each week as we touch on the importance of creating a culture of generosity, and discover the transformative power of giving. Thank you for listening! Stay tuned!