Former Metuchen-area elementary school teacher Johnathan Kraus is often seen as a modern-day, male version of Mother Theresa for helping India’s poorest children.
Literally. This is why he traded in his career as a teacher in Metuchen in order to create a formidable nonprofit that offers life-changing opportunities to children in India. His compelling story is a heartwarming journey filled with resilience and love, as well as emphasizing the power to make a difference.
Founded by Kraus in 2009, the Metuchen-based nonprofit, Love Never Fails International, has helped more than 200,000 children with necessities including education, food, and after-school tutoring during its 14 years.
“These are major opportunities that the children need and must have to get out of poverty,” Kraus said. “From access to a quality education, nourishing food at our food banks, and a center in their community to come to play, and grow gives them the confidence to believe in their dreams.”
Kraus said he “felt an unmistakable calling to leave my teaching career in New Jersey [which also included instructing anatomy and physiology at a community college] and go to India; heading to places where poverty looms like a dark cloud.”
“I wanted to give children in India — orphans, street beggars, and those deteriorating in the slums — inspiration and proven effective tools to become greater than poverty and to assure that they live a life that is filled with joy,” he said.
Former Metuchen-area elementary school teacher took the leap to uproot his life in New Jersey to pave the way for a brighter future for children in India living in poverty.
The Lasting Impact of Film
This all started after Kraus watched the 2008 movie Slumdog Millionaire, which tells the story of an 18-year-old boy who goes on an Indian-Hindi version of the reality TV show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and surprises everyone by answering all of the questions correctly; winning nearly $500,000.
Based on a novel of the same name, the main character in the movie is accused of cheating and must explain to the police how he accomplished his contest win. He takes them on a journey through his life, filled with challenges, to demonstrate that he never had to cheat. Life provided him with the answers. The movie sheds light on the heart-wrenching impact of poverty in India.
“Changing the lives of underprivileged children ignites a deep sense of purpose within me,” explained Kraus. “It’s as if I am fulfilling a compassionate calling, destined to help those in need. This is my reason for being, my mission in life.”
At the time Kraus envisioned establishing this nonprofit, he had no connections to make any of this happen. But in 2010, after conducting extensive research, and seeking guidance from others in the humanitarian field he took the next step.
He fervently rallied support from “kind-hearted souls” to aid his nonprofit organization in what he calls “its noble mission” of helping underprivileged children in India from the clutches of poverty.”
Kraus uprooted his life and relocated to the heart of India, thus paving the way for a brighter future for children in poverty.
One Man on a Serious Mission to Change the World
“Through the work of Love Never Fails International,” he explained. “We are changing the lives of children in India, granting them countless opportunities that we often take for granted in the United States.”
Through the service of an independent certified public accounting (CPA) firm that reviews its finances, 81% of all donations directly benefits the children. Love Never Fails is committed to making sure that every contribution makes a tangible difference.
India is small and versatile, Kraus stated.
“We care about the donors and use their money wisely,” he said. “We do all of this so they can be assured that each donation is going to make a positive change in a child’s life.”
There are many examples of how Love Never Fails International has helped to transform lives. One of them is Max, a nine-year-old boy who grew up in the slums of Mumbai. “There was sewage seeping into his home in this devastating area where he lived,” explained Kraus. “He came to our center at the beginning and had access to a good education and a positive atmosphere.”
What has been the impact on the boy’s life? Max was accepted into a top college in Mumbai, graduated, is working in his field, and has moved out of the slums.
“Max is one of our first kids, and we are so proud of him and the others,” Kraus said. “As we continue on with this important work, we strive to motivate the children towards a positive path.”
Kraus lived in India for seven years after he got the nonprofit organization on its feet. He has since moved out of the country that he was called to oh so many years ago, but he continues to travel back to where it all started.
So far this year he has been back to India three times, and in 2022 he was there five times.
“I need to be actively involved in the day-to-day work to ensure the children are progressing effectively and the mission is being carried out every day,” Kraus explained.
After 14 years of operating a life-altering nonprofit, Kraus expresses immense gratitude for how his own life has been transformed.
“The work of Love Never Fails International has given me more of an appreciation for being content with what I have – my beautiful son and daughter, a loving supportive family, as well as my education from Rutgers University, which has given me the opportunity to learn and create a better future for children in India,” Kraus said.
Kraus’ philanthropic roots run deep. He was influenced as a young child by his favorite Uncle Ed, who did extensive humanitarian work in Thailand, Malaysia, Hungary, and other countries.
“Poverty is extremely oppressive. Many of the girls are forced to get married at age 13 and have their first baby by the time they are 14, and are given no choice of who they are going to marry,” Kraus said.
He believes that by getting involved in the work of Love Never Fails International, new donors will see just how they can make a profound difference for a child in poverty. For a $5 donation, donors can feed a child for two weeks.
Love Never Fails International Transforms Lives
“I had heard that money is the key to happiness, but I believe that it is in the act of giving it away that it makes you feel so fortunate in your own life,” Kraus said. “When you are able to help someone, there is no greater joy that comes from this.”
The current fundraising campaign is focused on the development of an exciting new children’s education center in India.
This innovative facility is designed for 70 children and will offer them a stimulating and enriching learning environment. With four spacious and well-equipped classrooms, as well as a dedicated office area, Kraus said this new center is set to be “a beacon of educational excellence.”
The overall cost for this remarkable project, including all of the necessary furnishings is $25,000.
Kraus believes that each individual can make a significant impact on the lives of others, and he has an abundance of photographs that show this is certainly the case through the work that he does.
“When donors see the impact that they are making it is a way to see their donation in action,” explained Kraus.
“This is the difference they want to make in the world and that’s our mission,” he said, “to help get kids out of poverty, and to help them receive life-changing opportunities that they desperately need and deserve.”
For additional information, to make donations or for any questions please contact the nonprofit at: loveneverfailsindia.com
Or contact Kraus on his email: jkraus@loveneverfailsindia.com or call 1-800-783-4157.
