Nepal update
We, Sally and Katie, have been at Parizat Nestling Home in Katmandu, Nepal for
three weeks now. We have one more week to go. Our main goals while in Nepal
were to teach Bible, swimming and crafts at Parizat, to identify and visit
an orphanage whose children are available for adoption, and to learn more about
the trafficking of young girls for sexual exploitation. Below is more info
on how all of that is going…
There are now 52 girls at Parizat. Most all of these children were brought
to this home by authorities, some coming from prisons where they lived with
their
incarcerated parents, and others whom authorities decided would be better off
at this home due to reasons such as poverty or abuse. I consider many of these
girls abandoned, or situational orphans. Portion for Orphans' funds go primarily
to children who do not have parents at all, however, since day one these girls
have shown a great thirst for learning the Bible, that is why I return when
invited. This is Hindu country with very little Christian influence or teaching.
It is for these reasons that you will see, we do not fund many projects here,
other than some swimming pool fees and crafts.
Each evening, we teach Bible stories and Bible songs to the 30 smallest
girls. They are always, by their own initiative, seated quietly awaiting our
arrival.
One night I thought they might like to hear a Dr. Seuss book, afterwards
they all said that they prefer Bible stories. With the older girls, we alternate
Bible Class, Servant Leadership and crafts.
They have all heard the gospel
many times and have studied through the Gospel of John with me. This time
we
are studying Proverbs 31. Hinduism is very pluralistic, meaning they believe
in many gods, many religions even. It can be frustrating, but we are just
focusing on teaching Biblical truth and praying that God will work through
that. Through
Proverbs 31 they are learning that the Bible is FULL of applicable wisdom
for their lives. My mom is leading the study, she even taught them to make
chocolate
cake the evening we studied the verse about how a virtuous woman 'brings
her food from afar.' : ) For now, all we know is that, though they are very
busy,
they always
want to do Bible study.
We have also taken each of them for swim lessons
a few times now. It is so fun to see them really gaining confidence and
learning to trust us and each other. Many of these girls have been through
a lot,
some
were on their way to a brothel in India when rescued and brought here.
Thanks for all of your prayers, donations, and to everyone who sent crafts
along
with us, enjoy the pictures!
We've also visited an organization in Katmandu called Maiti Nepal. Maiti has two main purposes. They take in orphaned and abandoned children, and they search for and rescue Nepali children who've been trafficked over the border to brothels in India, girls as young as 6 years old. This organization is phenomenal, and was even visited by Princess Diana, whose picture is on the wall. 300 children and 80 women currently live at the center in Katmandu. Most of the children were rescued from brothels in India, others were orphaned and/or abandoned. The latter are available for adoption, though Nepalese adoptions are currently on hold. Some of the children are just months old. If you are interested in Nepalese adoptions, please let me know.
Maiti has transit homes all along the border of Nepal and India. They try to identify and rescue children who are being trafficked. Maiti also works with various organizations in India who, along with the police, rescue children from brothels. Female orphans in Nepal are especially vulnerable to being trafficked. It's hard to believe, but due to poverty, many parents will sell their own daughters into prostitution. So you can imagine, if a girl ends up having to live with relatives for any reason, relatives who can't afford another child, much less another dowry, that her chances are not good. Sadly, this is common in many parts of the world. Many of these girls end up in what is called sexual slavery at the hands of brutal men and women who will drug them into submission. Even the parents of those rescued often refuse them from returning to their village, leaving them on their own and ill-equipped for life.
I could sugar coat the reality of this, but that is exactly the problem.
The truth about what is happening to thousands of vulnerable little girls around
the world is not being voiced, it's so terrible that in our minds it cannot
possibly be REAL. Portion for Orphans' goal is to help orphans. There are many
facets to this work. One is supplying organizations, like Maiti, with all that
they need, enabling them to focus on orphans and rescued children, not on fundraising.
Helping orphans in Thailand with school fees
Portion for Orphans recently gave a $1,000 donation to help with school fees
at Mercy International Orphanage in Khon Khen, Thailand. These funds will help
provide uniforms, school supplies and school lunches. Here’s a picture
of some of the children who will benefit. Brown rice is usually mixed into
white rice to provide a more nutritional diet for these children. However,
they’ve recently had to cut that from the budget due to the rising price
of so many other needs. Let me know if you or any group you’re involved
in would like to make a donation to help provide brown rice for the children.
$60 per month would cover it.
Transformer for Children's village in Thailand
Here is a picture of the transformer that we helped purchase for the Mercy
International Children’s Village in Petchabun, Thailand. They needed
$6500 more and we were able to provide it, due to the generosity of so many
of you. This will provide power to the children’s village for 20 or more
years to come.
Elephant farm outing
We sent a group of children from Mercy International to an elephant farm. Here are some pictures We will soon begin fundraising for Mercy’s 3rd children’s village. Please prayerfully consider what you can do to help.
Soy formula for China
Soy formula sent by Portion for Orphans arrived at the Philip Hayden orphanage in China. This formula will benefit lactose-intolerant babies at this orphanage. This orphanage was not affected by the recent earthquake in China.
Volunteers needed
Please contact us if you are interested in organizing a fundraising event. We are also looking for a volunteer to organize the Marshall Hope Run/Walk in Marshall, January 2009, so Sally can focus on the expansion of fundraisers to other areas.
We appreciate so much your prayers and support of this work. Ultimately, it is God who enables us to bear fruit, to draw others to Christ, and to help meet needs of the children here… but your willingness to pray and let Him use you is so important as well.
On behalf of orphans,
Sally Allred Lockett <><