Indian Mission work
Friends of the Disciples of Christ
On 15th March, 1998 the work in India with FODOC officially started with a telephone call from Pastor Anil Dev to say “your children’s home has opened today”. Since that day, the work has gone from strength to strength. Now Khammam Home has found its own funding locally and that has enabled us to move on and start Hope Home in Ongole.
The Committee is largely made up of Norbury folk, but support is country wide. Over the last ten years £120,000 has been sent out to India. Beside donations there are fund raising events and sponsorship schemes. Some people have gone out on their own and made contributions to the work, but all donations can make a big difference to someone’s life and they value and appreciate your help however small.
The work, other than that with the children, is wide and varied. Two churches have been built, one for Pastor David Druer, a tribal elder, which we called the Stable church, and one at Poliparka with Pastor Apollo which is multi purpose and was paid for by my friend Audrey Pegrum MBE.
The goat scheme flourishes in Timmaraopett, and the business gift scheme has paid for sewing machines and training for poor women. Kitchen equipment was given to a lady who wanted to start her own tea stall. This scheme enables poor families to get on their feet and is very successful.
Teddies have been distributed to children in hospital. Hundreds of little hats, mitts, scarves and jumpers keep children snug and warm in the cold weather season. Blankets and rice have been given to the elderly.
At the heart of the work are the children. Many are at school or college, and some have gone into a trade. We have opened our doors to over 145 children over the years – some stayed, some didn’t, but all received loving care, a high standard of education and a knowledge that Jesus loves them regardless of caste and creed. Children in other institutions have benefited from grants and help in other ways such as clothing, toys, etc.
Memories come flooding back as I write these words. Frightened children like Devu Raj who had seen his father kill himself. He is such a happy little chap now. When I last saw him he told everyone I had bought some bikes and he had learnt to ride, and now he could ride any bike!
Devu Raj is still at school, but his sister Sumati is now at Nursing College. Her gentle ways are just the thing that’s needed. I am so proud of her and all our children.
FODOC has helped with medical bills. There was the baby with projectile vomiting and a hernia. The surgery was not available locally and FODOC paid for the baby to be taken to a large hospital some 70 miles away where he had the operation and is now fit and healthy. An old lady needed a cataract operation and specs, all paid for by FODOC. Then there was the Muslim family whose child had cerebral palsy: they received money for the little boy to have corrective surgery on his legs. The father asked ‘Why do you help when my own community won’t’? We explained Christ has only us to represent him on earth and that is what Jesus would have done.
Our work is now based at Ongole. There are 36 children in our care and every single day a distraught parent or relative comes to the gate asking us to take a child into Hope Home, but due to lack of finance and space we really cannot take any more. It breaks our hearts to say no. The moment that stays with me forever was when a poor cycle rickshaw driver came and pleaded with us to take his son. We had to say no and the devastated man put his head against the gate and sobbed.
As we go forward into the next decade, we really need our own buildings and some land. We need a computer, tables, chairs, benches, bunk beds, more kitchen equipment etc. etc. Things are very cheap in India and a little money goes a very long way. Any donation small or large would be appreciated. There are no overheads with FODOC and someone, somewhere in India will thank you for your gift of love.
If you would like to make a donation please contact me on 0161-456 5391.
Pat Richardson
