For most students the best week of school is the first. There’s almost no homework, you get to meet new people, and the school year is yours for the taking. My best week at Niagara University has been Vincentian Heritage Week.

Starting on Saturday September 24^th and running until September 30^th Niagara University has been busy place. Specifically, I had the opportunity to join the Niagara University conference of the St. Vincent De Paul society on the Friends of the Poor Walk. We walked a mile on Goat Island to raise money for our entirely student-run soup kitchen.

But more importantly, Vincentian Heritage Week made me take a look at the people in my life who also follow their vocation to the poor. My aunt Michelle and her late husband Dan, were two people who in my mind embody the spirit of St. Vincent De Paul. In fact, they started their own charity in Engari, Uganda.

In December of 2012, my whole family was a little sad we would be missing Michelle’s company because while we were going to enjoy Christmas at home, my aunt was traveling to Uganda to teach English as a second language for a month. Meanwhile, my uncle Dan supported her and helped her raise $2000 dollars to go to any project in Engari that she desired. To this day, I’m glad we missed her at Christmas because the community of Engari had the chance to experience her friendship, openness and generosity.

Even though my aunt Michelle only went to teach English, she wanted to help the people get a clean drinking water reservoir for the school, better housing accommodations for students and bring joy to everyone in the village. She accomplished fundraising for the construction of a water reservoir for the students so they would no longer have to drink the filthy pond water. And recently my aunt was able to raise funds for a dormitory for the students who had been sleeping in the classrooms only to pack up the next morning. Lastly, both my aunt and uncle whole-heartedly agreed to sponsoring an annual Sports day for the village where everyone could eat and play games.

All things considered, I am so proud of my aunt and uncle for being courageous souls and starting their own charity. It makes me even happier that my aunt Michelle continues to give back to the community of Engari and 100% of the proceeds are invested into the projects. Most of all, the fact that my aunt and uncle organized these brilliant projects and had people donate without getting anything in return demonstrates that the spirit to serve the poor lives in everyone.

One final message, I would like to dedicate this article in the memory of my uncle Dan Balan, who passed away January 9^th 2016. On October 3^rd he would have been celebrating his 59^th birthday.