 A School for the Children of Prostitutes
After walking through streets running with sewage, one comes to an oasis of beauty. The beauty is found in none other than the faces of the sixty children attending a school in the middle of the slums of Vishakapatnam, a coastal city in the northeastern region of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The Quiet Hour radio ministry recently turned this school over to Asian Aid USA. When the Asian Aid USA directors visited Vishak in the Fall of 2001 they were overwhelmed by joyous greetings. The school and surrounding yard were packed to capacity with children and their grateful families. I wish you could have heard the children sing! Afterwards, fruit and sweets were distributed. The young children even received tiny beanbag animals that had been collected by American children. For most of the students, this was probably their first store-bought toy. Asian Aid scholars not only receive a basic education but also learn of God's personal love since much of their English training is learned through Christian songs and Bible verses. They are also given hope for escaping some of the miseries of their present life as well as of receiving eternal life.
The mothers of most of the students at Vishak help support their families through prostitution. Unfortunately, this is often the case when an impoverished woman has no education or job skills. Her options are often limited to begging or selling herself. Vishak School's vision is to break this cycle. Education is provided up to the fourth grade, after which students may attend boarding schools outside this dangerous area. In addition, an introductory tailoring course is offered to older girls and mothers of the students. Those completing this program will be able to serve as apprentices and earn a living with dignity. Sponsors who wish to partner with Vishak's teachers in offering these children real hope may sponsor a child for just US$10 per month. This covers their education and uniform costs. Once the child is attending a boarding school, sponsorships will be increased as costs include meals and lodging as well. Sunrise Orphanage Established
A new orphanage was opened this fall in Bobbili, Andhra Pradesh state, India. Starting with six students in the lower grades, it will soon be up to capacity with 20 children. The financial responsibility for Sunrise Home will rest totally with Asian Aid USA. The Asian Aid USA directors were thrilled to be able to visit the orphanage shortly after it opened. Because of donations earmarked for orphans, the facility was furnished with bedding and dinnerware for 21, cooking utensils, a stove, a refrigerator and other needed furniture. The children are thriving under their housemother’s loving care. Having been raised in an Asian Aid orphanage herself, she seemed well prepared for her responsibilities. In just four weeks the children could already proudly recite the Ten Commandments and sang several Christian songs. One boy had already decided to follow Jesus after the first two weeks! If you would like to sponsor one of these special children, please contact our office (or Toll-free: 1-866-569-7933). ~ ~ ~ SPECIAL NEEDS ~ ~ ~School Construction in Sikkim
Nestled in the rugged beauty of the Himalayas is the state of Sikkim. The chilly weather makes for a sharp contrast with most of India. Yet the needs remain the same: education, evangelism and development. In the small town of Rhenock is a large day school. Nearly 200 students now attend, most of their families sacrificing to pay a small monthly tuition. Yet there are sixty more who will be able to attend once they receive sponsorships. The school is struggling to remain open, as the local tuition cannot cover the costs of employing twelve teachers and renting two buildings large enough to house the students. To keep costs down, in the lower levels several children will sit at a single desk. The teacher who showed us her cramped room smiled and stated about her pupils, "At least they are small!" These teachers show incredible missionary spirit as they are working for wages far below standard for this region where education as well as health care are very limited. The administrator recently spoke with the Asian Aid board, pleading for money to build a decent school. He has already secured land. Once free from rent, he will be able to pay his teachers a living wage. Of the US$55,000 needed for construction, US$4195 has been donated to date. Your contributions toward this urgent need will be greatly appreciated and updated in future newsletters and on this website. Jayanthi Raymond Fund—Closed
Asian Aid USA wishes to thank all those who contributed to the Jayanthi Raymond Special Needs Fund so that she could complete her nursing studies debt free. As of 26 February 2002, no further contributions are needed. This fund is closed. Click Here to see the location of Sampoorani College of Nursing where Jayanthi graduates. In a previous issue we requested assistance for Jayanthi Raymond’s tuition in her bachelor’s of nursing program. Jayanthi is a Sunshine orphan and, as such, has no other sources of income and also holds a special place in our hearts. We have received donations to cover half the amount she needs to graduate. Thank you! She is so grateful she rode a train all night so she could express her gratitude to the directors during their fall visit. Jayanthi needs another US$450 before March, 2002, to complete her schooling. If you are interested in contributing towards her education, please contact our office. Deaf School in Kollegal
The only SDA school in the world for the hearing impaired is located in Kollegal, Karnataka, India. It opened a few years ago but already serves 55 children. It opened in a rented building and faced serious challenges because of its location on a busy street. Deafness is an invisible disability. The only source of water was across the street from the school and several children were struck by cars while carrying water. The drivers had no way of knowing the children would not move out of the way when they honked their horns. Prayers were made for a new school. The Lord answered and the SDA School in Kollegal donated 9 acres of land, safely located on the outskirts of town. Construction began on August 29, 2001 and will be completed in phases. US$74,500 is still needed to complete the deaf school. Any contributions you can make will be a blessing to these special children. Sewing Machines for Tailoring Students
As stated in our lead story, our school in Vishak includes a tailoring class for teen and adult students. These classes give the students the necessary skills to make a dignified living. After graduation, the school assists each student in securing a sewing machine. They are then able to set up their own tailoring shop or work for clothing manufacturers in town. The cost of these sewing machines is US$200 each. Your assistance with the purchase of a sewing machine will provide the means to prevent a young woman from working as a prostitute.
~ ~ ~ Your Gifts at Work ~ ~ ~The focus of this issue is to show you the fruits of your generosity. The Lord has accomplished some amazing things since this ministry first opened its work in the United States in 2001. You currently support the education of over 800 students in India and Nepal. In addition, you feed more than 350 destitute people on a monthly basis. Thanks to television interviews on Three Angels Broadcasting (3ABN) and articles in Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) magazine, US$209,000 was received in 2001. As we start this new year, we wish God’s blessings on you for your sacrifices. As you read this issue, you will see what a significant impact your giving makes in the lives of others. Please know that we are proud of the work you have accomplished in forwarding God’s work.
Hungry Money Program Saves Lives
Rather than complain about your growing midsection, thank God that you don't have to search the jungle to gather a few leaves and seeds to eat just to survive another day. There are many widows and disabled people in India who have no source of income or families to care for them. With no government programs to help them, each day becomes a struggle. Yet just US$3 provides one meal per day for a hungry person for a full month. Because of your continued generosity to the Hungry Money Fund, more than 350 people are now receiving the help they desperately need. Thank you!
Many of the women living in mountainous Nepal spend long hours carrying heavy loads, even a shortly after giving birth. As a result, prolapsed uterus is a major health problem. When this happens to a woman, it becomes difficult even to walk. Often their husbands will abandon them and they become destitute, as they are unable to work. Asian Aid Australia learned of these women’s suffering and began paying for hysterectomy operations for them. There have been over 300 such surgeries given free of charge to date. One woman stated, "It was like I was dead and have been brought back to life!" Now US donors have donated as well and have provided enough to help 30 more women get their lives back! Of the US$5900 that was raised, a large portion came from the women of the Dakota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists when the need was featured at a recent women’s retreat. Thank you for your kindness toward these women. Such a simple surgery restores their health and makes them a functioning part of their families again.
|
