Marty Williams Pickleball India Hope: Marty Williams, a nurse practitioner from Idaho, is helping children in Indian orphanages by providing healthcare and teaching them pickleball. Through his work with the nonprofit Send Hope, Williams has made nine trips to India since 1999 to support orphans, many living with HIV, by promoting health and joy through sports and medicine.
From Pilot to Healthcare Worker
Marty Williams first visited India in 1999 as a sponsor through Send Hope, a nonprofit helping orphaned children. At the time, he worked as a commercial helicopter pilot. But the visit changed his future.
“It was just really life-changing for me,”. “I thought, this is something worth dedicating my life to.”(Marty Williams)
Inspired by the experience, he returned to the U.S. and studied to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. He returned to India on a medical trip nearly 14 years later and has continued his visits almost every year since.
Supporting Orphans with Care
Today, Marty Williams serves on the board of Send Hope. The group supports 14 orphanages across at least seven Indian states. The children receive housing, education, and healthcare.
Many of the children supported by Send Hope are HIV positive. Williams says the organization gives them a chance at a better life.
“Our kids are on excellent antiretroviral therapy and are now living into adulthood, getting married, and having children,”. “It’s been a really beautiful thing to be part of.”(Marty Williams)
India has about 2.4 million people living with HIV, according to the Government of India. Many people with HIV face discrimination and are often denied jobs and healthcare.
Send Hope also helps people with leprosy and provides food for widows and orphans.
Pickleball Brings New Energy
Marty Williams recently helped introduce pickleball to children at several orphanages. The game was new for both Williams and the kids.
“I’m not a pickleball expert,”. “But we’d built multi-use courts at a few of our orphanages that could be used for both volleyball and pickleball. The kids love volleyball, and we thought this could be another fun option for them.”(Marty Williams)
Thanks to a traveling companion, Selkirk — a pickleball equipment company — donated paddles, nets, and gear through its Growth Program. Volunteers from Coeur d’Alene and Boise taught the game to kids at different sites.
“There’s a real passion for sport in India — cricket, volleyball, you name it,” . “Introducing something new like pickleball was just a joy. The kids lit up.”(Marty Williams)
Fitness and Joy for Children Living with HIV
For children living with long-term illness, pickleball became more than just a game. It gave them movement, fun, and connection.
“Half of our kids have HIV, so keeping them active is really important,”. “There’s so much we know about the benefits of exercise — endorphins, energy, social bonding. And you could see it all happening on the court.”(Marty Williams)
A Journey That Keeps Growing
On his ninth visit to India, Marty Williams says the long-term impact is clear. Children he met in the 1990s are now grown and working in careers like nursing, teaching, and engineering. Some even help Send Hope today.
“It’s overwhelming when you first go — the need is just so massive,”. “But change happens one life at a time.”(Marty Williams)
“What keeps me going back is the people,”. “The staff, the kids, the joy. It’s contagious.”(Marty Williams)
Pickleball, too, is here to stay.
“It’s definitely going to be part of our lives,”. “My son was a nationally-ranked tennis player, and he’s already dominating pickleball courts back home. It’s a sport that bridges generations — and continents, too.”(Marty Williams)
News in Brief: Marty Williams Pickleball India Hope
Marty Williams, a nurse practitioner from Idaho, helps children in Indian orphanages through Send Hope. He combines healthcare and sports, especially pickleball, to bring healing and joy. With support from Selkirk and volunteers, Williams’ work is improving lives, building connections, and spreading hope across generations and borders.