Grand Valley State University senior Nicholas Popma is not only living proof of the realities thousands of children face in India, he wants to do something about it.

Popma is in the process of starting an organization called Save India’s Youth, an up-and-coming nonprofit that he hopes will become official this June. Along with goals of providing food, clothing, shelter and education to the Indian children, Save India’s Youth also looks to educate local communities about the issues in India.

His inspiration comes from his own personal story.

“I was found on the street of Calcutta, India, by some random person,” Popma said. “My biological mom at the time was forced into prostitution; she more than likely was raped and had me as a result of the rape. The fact that I have to live with something like that isn’t always easy, but unfortunately it is definitely something that goes on in India.”

The public nonprofit administration major has never met his biological parents and was adopted out of his situation in India to the U.S., where he has spent his whole life.

But while his personal story inspired his decision, he said it is the general public indifference toward issues in India that motivates him to push his plans forward.

According to an article from the Indian newspaper the Hindustan Times, one-third of children in Mumbai, or 83,000, suffer from malnutrition.

“India is the second-most populous country in the world, and unfortunately they are the most impoverished country in the world as well,” Popma said. “A lot of impoverished street kids are unfortunate to not get an education. People put a cold shoulder to it, and I think that’s crazy and totally inappropriate.”

Popma said he wants to start in his own backyard by educating Grand Rapids.

“A lot of people don’t know human trafficking, sex slavery is a huge issue, not only in India but in the United States too,” he said. “A lot of people don’t know this, and I didn’t know this until someone told me, but there is a nonprofit organization in West Michigan that goes against human trafficking in the U.S.”

The main goals Popma reiterated were to educate more people about the issues in India and to provide the street children the same opportunities he was given here in America.

Charles Jurries, who graduated from GVSU in December 2010 with degrees in Journalism and Communication, operates the social media for Save India’s Youth. Jurries said what Popma is trying to accomplish is very impressive.

“It would be so easy to say, ‘I’m going to help some people right here in town,’ but he is giving back to his home country,” Jurries said. “On top of that he is trying to start a nonprofit, which is not an easy thing to do whatsoever, and to try to do that is pretty cool.”

The website, www.saveindiasyouth.org, launched Friday, and the Facebook and Twitter accounts have been operational for some time.

Popma said as of right now, anyone who wants to get involved is encouraged to visit the social media pages along with the website and spread the word.

Until Save India’s Youth is an official nonprofit organization, Popma cannot accept any donations.

“It’s interesting because you hear issues about South Africa and Darfur and my heart goes out to those people in Darfur, but we never hear anything about India,” Popma said. “India is considered by some people to be a third-world country. I think it’s about time we bring up some of these issues.”

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