Photo via mnnonline.org

Orphanage ministry is expanding in India

HIV/AIDS is behind India's 35 million orphans. Without someone standing in the gap between the streets and hope, a whole generation will be lost, reports MNN.

Orphan Outreach's Mike Douris says that's why they're partnering with the Elwin Parekh Home for girls in Anand, Gujarat. "They're currently renting a facility to care for the girls. They're really in a space crunch for the number of girls that they have." Eighteen girls live in the current space, and there are more needs than places to put newcomers.

However, a generous donation is enabling them to help where it's most needed in the first year. "What we're hoping to be able to do is to expand the physical facilities that the girls are in, but then also add the educational piece to it: to train the girls so that they can live independently after they leave."

After the seed money is gone, they'll be relying on donors to sustain the ministry growth. Douris is hoping to get churches involved in the process. He's encouraging them to adopt a home, get to know the girls, and ultimately invest in the process of mentoring the girls.

The children can break the cycle of abuse and poverty with the hope of Christ. Douris says that's a key part of their work. "All of the staff are Christians. The girls are very active in the local church there. The idea is to be able to reach out to the kids who are orphaned in the community and have an impact in their lives for Christ."

The journey to hope comes through more than changed living conditions. It's a combination of the sense of place and personal the interaction with love that opens the heart to the Gospel of Christ.

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[03/20/2008]

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