Story by Sulekha
The Mukti Home became my beautiful abode when I was 11 months old. My mother had died due to tetanus and father due to tuberculosis. It is difficult to describe how I have been blessed. I was loved and given an opportunity to study at one of the best English Medium Christian schools in Pune. I had the opportunity to learn a variety of sports and represent school and state at various levels. There was nothing that I lacked and I am most grateful for the spiritual discipline that was built in from a very early stage in life. We were highly impacted by the sacrificial lives of missionaries from overseas, as well as others from within India who had chosen to leave their family to serve at Mukti.
Nothing beats the testimony of Pandita Ramabai herself, who was committed to God’s calling fearlessly. I had the opportunity to help set up archives and read through her correspondence with politicians and people in prominent positions and that greatly impacted the choices I made.
Academically, I studied science in college and later studied nursing. I worked in the maternity section and later as a teacher at the College of Nursing.
I got married in December 1998 to Naren who was working in the Indian Navy at the time. But the plan was to give up this job to start a home for orphan boys as part of the church social work wing. I knew in my heart that this was the right course of life because at the age of 15, I heard God clearly speaking to me about His plan for my life. I was blessed to be a blessing and the biggest blessing I had received was being brought up in Mukti. I knew that this was my opportunity to give back what Mukti had done for me. My life was shaped in such a way that I could be instrumental to shape the destiny of other children in need.
To make this God-given dream come to reality, our first two boys came to live with us on July 5, 1999. We served at this home for 16 years and over the years had 16 boys under our care. We lived in the same house, ate the same food and ensured it was a family-like atmosphere. Our daughter Champa* was born in 2002 and the boys were thrilled to have a little sister.
We have also been leading the local church for the last 18 years and have grown from eight members to about 150 members. We also planted two more churches. The boys who grew up under our care are worship leaders and musicians for the church.
Champa is growing into a fine young girl and is passionate to serve the excluded. She loves visiting Mukti.
I am currently working as the Regional Head for an organization in India that works largely among those from situations of abuse and exploitation.
Looking back, I am so thankful to the Lord for a great childhood in Mukti, for all the opportunities and above all, to know my Saviour, the Lord Jesus. All my achievements are nothing but the Lord’s doing; His blessing, His favour. Mukti will always be my home and I proudly teach my Sunday school children about Pandita Ramabai. I also encourage our youth to take part in missions. As we pursue in building His kingdom, we do keep at the core of our values what Pandita Ramabai said, “A life committed to God has nothing to fear, nothing to lose and nothing to regret.”
*Name changed
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MUKTI MISSION AND HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO HELP BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY?
Many questions were swirling around in the minds of Nisha* and her daughter Pallavi*. They were so accustomed to life in Mumbai. Nisha and her little one were safe and comfortable in Ashralaya, a home for women and children from destitute backgrounds in Mumbai. Unfortunately, the home did not have the facility for long-term residency for both mother and child, so the loving sisters (the nuns) who were in charge of this home approached Mukti Mission for help.
Very soon, Nisha and eight year-old Pallavi became part of the Mukti family. Nisha was born with a speech impediment and has been mute since her birth. In their society, this disability may have been considered a curse on the family, forcing her to leave home and fend for herself. To earn a living, she worked in one of the housing societies in the vicinity, doing daily household chores.
Through an acquaintance, she met her husband and had a beautiful baby girl. But it wasn’t long before Nisha was deserted by her husband, leaving her on the streets with her child.
Nisha had to eventually discontinue her employment as she had a baby to care for and nobody would accept Nisha and her baby in their home. Unfortunately, they had no choice but to restore to begging in order to feed themselves. Commuters and those passing by in the city felt sorry for them, but in Mumbai, a city that never sleeps, people are busy and overwhelmed with the worries of the day, ignoring Nirmala and her baby.
One day, the police felt that there was no option but to move them to Ashralaya, a halfway home for women and children from impoverished backgrounds.
Now Nisha’s permanent home is at Mukti Mission. Whenever Nisha is found around the campus, she loves running to people with her warm smile and bright eyes. She always has a message to share about her life. It’s difficult to understand Nisha sometimes, but when Pallavi is with her, Pallavi is smart enough to know what her mother wants to say and without mincing words. Pallavi, with her impeccable English, will translate from her mother’s sign language.
Mukti Mission has a unique ministry of accepting both mother and child together as part of the empowerment program. Praise God for Mukti Mission, who opens its doors for those in need, so that they can find hope and a bright future.
*Names changed for privacy and security
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MUKTI MISSION AND HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM IMPOVERISHED BACKGROUNDS IN INDIA?
READ MORE
As of March 11, 2019, Mukti Mission and the Sharda Sadan home have been around for 130 years. Sharda Sadan, which means ‘Home of Learning’, opened with two pupils and soon increased to several hundreds. Today, it houses more than 2,200 students, both residential and day scholars, who are eager to take advantage of an education that has been imparted since the last four generations. A great-grandfather, aged 85, proudly came to grace the occasion as his great grandson is the fourth generation student of the school.
Mukti Mission founder Pandita Ramabai’s heroic fortitude, unflinching devotion and absolute faith have brought hope and a bright future to thousands of suffering women and children. Surrounded by opposition, abuse and treachery, she has fought almost single-handedly against the evils of superstition and ignorance, the tyranny of caste, the iniquities of child marriage and perpetual widowhood, which for century upon century have blighted the lives of women in India.
Over the past 130 years, more than 7,000 children have studied at the school. It is a unique school where parents of the students play an important role in its growth. It is more of a family-based school where students from all walks of life attend and have testified that they have not seen or experienced any kind of discrimination.
Being an ex-student of the school, Dr. Mahendra Chitre, a neurologist in a leading hospital in Pune, was invited to be the Chief Guest to preside over the function. Dr. Mahendra Chitre delivered a very down-to-earth address, bringing sweet memories of his childhood experiences. The audience was moved when he made a reference to his 2nd Standard teacher, Sumanbai Shitoley, who was in the crowd. When Sumanbai was teaching the little boy Mahendra, she wouldn’t have thought that she was investing her teaching skills in a student who would one day become a neurologist.
Teachers, you have an important role to play in the lives of your students. Your little primary section student today may become someone who will impact the nation tomorrow. Mukti Mission’s special emphasis is education. The dream of starting a Pandita Ramabai University is being pursued and will take another decade for this dream to become a reality. However, the immediate goal is to work towards a Senior College of Science, Arts and Commerce as a first step to fulfill the larger dream in the days to come.
Also at the event was Chairman and Advocate Markas Deshmukh (also a former student) and 450 former students. Two very senior teachers, Mrs. Sumanbai Shitole and Mrs. Sakhubai Jadhav, who taught at Sharada Sadan in 1967- 1972, were amazed to see how the school has grown and were very touched.
The staff and students set up a wonderful programme which was centered on the theme of ‘relationship’. It was a blessed day which ended with a delicious lunch for all.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MUKTI MISSION?
READ MORE
When Benita found out she was sick and began to grow weaker, she could no longer clean houses for a living. She began to sell traditional Paraguayan foods from her home but was just barely making it on the small income she was earning. At the beginning of 2018, she heard of the vocational training courses through Diaconía, Global Aid Network (GAiN)’s partner in Paraguay, and joined right away. Diaconia offers vocational training for impoverished women who are interested in establishing or growing a small business. Throughout the year, there are a variety of different classes for women who are interested in learning how to sew, craft, do hair and makeup and more. Since Benita started attending a vocational training, she has never missed a meeting since.
Throughout the year, she has learned to crochet, embroider cloth purses, decorate sandals and thermoses, and work with beads to make jewelry. Now, in addition to selling food, she takes personal orders for her craft work and sells her products in her community. She has always loved creating things but wasn’t able to allow her creativity to flourish because there wasn’t anyone to teach these trades. With the skills she learned in the courses, she now loves what she does, and the additional income helps her to advance more in life.
She is thankful for what Diaconía and God have done in her life and community. Because of this experience, her neighbourhood is improving economically and is more united. What she has learned and accomplished has created a sense of pride in her own work and has taught her that she can always learn new things.
DO YOU WANT TO HELP WOMEN LIKE BENITA BY GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN NEW SKILLS THROUGH VOCATIONAL TRAINING? YOU CAN HELP WOMEN IN PARAGUAY BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY.
GIVE TODAY
When Rajalini was a young girl, she would visit a nearby hospital run by a Christian Mission. She would watch, fascinated, as the nurses cared for patients, taking note of tender and compassion they had with every interaction.
“There was one patient in particular who not only needed medical care but needed a loving touch from the Lord,” Rajalini recalled. “There was a nurse who ministered to the patient as if Jesus was touching him. Looking at this service to humanity, I felt a burden in my heart to grow up and become a Christian nurse and do likewise.”
As eager as she was to get started on her studies in order to pursue nursing, her situation held her back. Her parents worked on daily wages and she was in charge of household chores, such as cleaning and cooking.
It was through the benefit of education at the Sukungia Day Care Centre, run by Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission, that Rajalini was able to continue her studies. The initiative was started with the aim to help studious but impoverished children get through school.
“After joining the Day Care Centre, my life was transformed inside out. I have learned so many new things and I felt a great sense of deliverance. My mourning turned into dancing. I am now in Junior College and will definitely pursue my dream to become a nurse so that I can help the hurting people by showing the love of Christ.”
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUPPORT A YOUNG WOMAN LIKE RAJALINI IN INDIA? HELP EMPOWER GIRLS AND WOMEN AT MUKTI MISSION.
GIVE TODAY
Irene is a woman of many talents. Though her profession and passion is cosmetology, she began selling perfumes and clothing 22 years ago. She always dreamed of opening her own beauty salon but because of her family’s economic situation she wasn’t able to.
She lives with her husband and their four children, one of which is adopted. When her niece was abandoned at age six, Irene’s mother (the child’s grandmother) took her under her care. However, when the grandmother passed away, Irene began to care for her niece and she became part of the family. Having an additional child was difficult, financially, but Irene’s family persevered and with God’s help and faithfulness they now have more stable finances.
Two years ago, Irene was finally able to fulfill her dream. Due to the support of Diaconia, Global Aid Network (GAiN)’s partner in Paraguay, she was able to open the beauty salon that she always dreamed of having. With her loans that she receives from Diaconia, she buys first-class products and equipment for her salon. Soon, she hopes to purchase products to offer massages since she has also completed several masseuse courses. Other than the financial help she is receiving, Irene would like to complete more training in both cosmetology and massage therapy. Her long-term goal is for her beauty salon business to grow to be self-sustaining so that she will no longer have to sell perfume and clothing on the side.
Not only is Irene working toward expanding her business, she is also a dedicated chaplain of several Diaconia trust groups. Trust groups are made up of about 15 loan recipients who gather regularly to pay back their loans, receive support from their peers and hold each other accountable. Many trust groups also have designated chaplains who provide spiritual support by sharing a Biblical devotional before each meeting, offering prayer and emotional support to group members, and connecting them to the local church.
Through Irene’s partnership with Diaconía she has grown immensely in her faith and is thankful for the support and encouragement she receives. Her love for the Lord is what motivates her to go every week and share His love with other women.
YOU CAN HELP A WOMAN LIKE IRENE BY PROVIDING A MICRO-LOAN TO HELP HER START AND GROW HER OWN BUSINESS. WILL YOU GIVE TO HELP BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY IN PARAGUAY?
GIVE TODAY
Fifteen years ago, Rosalina knew her life was about to drastically change. When her youngest son was born with mental disabilities, she immediately searched for a way to work from home. She had been working in a clothing factory for years and had sufficient experience in clothing design and fabrication to open her own home workshop in her home. She began to specialize in bathing suits and started to sell them to large retail companies in her city.
Now, her three older children work with her, along with one other hired employee. Two of her children have their own workshops as well, and one has been certified from a design institute. She says her youngest knows how to work all the machines and likes being involved, but he’s still too young to legally work alongside the rest of the family.
Thanks to Diaconia, Global Aid Network (GAiN)’s partner in Paraguay, Rosalina was able to receive micro-loans to help grow her business. Diaconia helps impoverished women by offering financial training, vocational training and micro-loans to assist in the start up and growth of a small business.
Rosalina used the loans she received to buy new fabrics and accessories to make more bathing suits. She is currently in the process of launching her new line of suits for children and babies. Her goal for this season is to increase sales and hire someone to market and sell her specific brand. She wants to have her own store instead of selling her products to larger companies. Her other goals are to provide further training for her children and to purchase a printing press to put more designs on the fabrics. As a single mother, Rosalina has not only provided for her family, she has taught her children how to work hard, run a business, and persevere until you succeed.
YOU CAN HELP WOMEN LIKE ROSALINA BY PROVIDING A MICRO-LOAN TO HELP HER START HER OWN BUSINESS. WILL YOU GIVE TO HELP BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY IN PARAGUAY?
GIVE TODAY
Alex P., Paraguay LIFE Team Participant, shares his experience below.
I was expecting to simply do some business workshops and that was it – but God had greater plans.
I felt called to do missions when I was a teenager but never acted upon it. Life got in the way – going to school, finding a job, getting married, buying a house, having kids, etc.
One Sunday, the pastor of my church had a sermon about “rekindling lost dreams” and, immediately, I thought about missions.
When I came across Global Aid Network (GAiN)’s booth at Missions Fest in January 2018, they really got my attention. I searched through the LIFE Team trips and saw that the Paraguay trip needed volunteers with a business background to teach on financial literacy, which is sort of what I already do in my profession! This was a sign that God was calling me there.
So, I went on the trip to Paraguay to serve with Diaconia (GAiN’s in-country partner that provides micro-loans to help women get out of the cycle of poverty). There, I did workshops on financial literacy, how to start a business and managing personal finances.
We also visited several Diaconia Trust Groups – groups of about 15 people, who receive a group loan and help hold each other accountable to pay back their loans. Then we visited some of the local businesses of Diaconia clients. We got to see how the micro-loan program has impacted their lives.
Near the end of our week, we visited Jesus Responde (Global Aid Network’s other partner in Paraguay) and went to a wholistic community centre that partnered with a church to do AWANA Children’s Ministry and spent the day with the children and staff there.
In the middle of the week, I also had an opportunity to lead a devotional for the Diaconia staff. I tried to keep an open mind to whatever God had in store for me. I was busy preparing the business presentations leading up to the trip, so I didn’t have too much time to meditate on it beforehand. I was expecting to simply do some business workshops and that was it – but God had greater plans.
The devotional that I shared with the Diaconia staff was something I didn’t prepare beforehand, perhaps only 30 minutes the night before. After several conversations with the local staff at Diaconia, it became apparent to me that because of the history with the Triple Alliance War and how it has affected the culture in Paraguay, the family unit is broken.
With the current culture in Paraguay right now, it generally accepted as normal for men to not be involved in family life, even being unfaithful to their wives. Some men are not present, leaving the burden to raise families to the women.
I felt that God called me to direct my devotional toward the men, talking about the importance of prioritizing family as a husband and father.
The staff at Diaconia really thanked me for speaking on the topic (even the women too). One lady said to me that no one has ever spoken on that topic like that before, and the men really needed to hear it.
There was great fruit from my devotional, as it even sparked more conversation with our missions team throughout the week! My initial intention was just to direct the devotion towards the men, but God multiplied the fruit by also blessing the women!
I feel that I showed God’s love by serving the people through financial literacy workshops, leading a devotional, listening to people’s stories and speaking into their lives, and spending time with the kids at the community centre.
What impacted me the most was listening to people’s stories about how God has changed their lives through Diaconia, Jesus Responde and the local church. As long as we get out of our own way and say yes to God, He will open up doors and bless you abundantly.
I hope that sharing my experience with my family and friends will inspire them to also serve locally or abroad. I am most definitely thinking of going back! I’ve already made plans to return next year, and in the meantime, starting to learn Spanish.
If you want to go on a mission trip, do it! There is never going to be a perfect time to go. Life will get in the way and you can make up hundreds of excuses not to do it, but if you feel called don’t ignore it. Say yes to Him and He will take care of the rest. You will be glad you did. You may even think “why didn’t I do this sooner?” You will be blessed greater than you can imagine!
JOIN A LIFE TEAM TRIP TO PARAGUAY THIS YEAR!
I’M INTERESTED
In the city of San Antonio, Paraguay, resident Maria Liz meets regularly with a group of women – all budding or aspiring entrepreneurs. This group is one of many trust groups formed through Diaconia, Global Aid Network’s in-country partner in Paraguay that provides micro-loans and business training to poverty-stricken women. As recipients of micro-loans, these women gather weekly to encourage and hold each other financially accountable to repay their loans.
This particular group calls themselves Valuable Women.
“I heard about Diaconia through a radio station and called their office and that was how, together with a group of women from my neighbourhood, we were able to receive microloans,” said Maria. “We heard about the vocational trainings offered and I immediately took the opportunity.”
Maria attended a crafts workshop, learning specifically how to make embroidered slippers.
“I learned a lot. It gave me a solid income and I have sold a lot of these slippers since then. I am so grateful to Diaconia for creating a place for opportunity and growth for me and many other women in my community.”
Would you like to help a woman like Maria start her own business? Your one-time or monthly gift can impact multiple women over time!
GIVE TODAY:
DONATE
“I struggled to live. I had no money in my wallet.”
Lucia, a resident of Mariano Roque Alonso, is a mother of two, Eladio, 7, and Mia, 6. Her husband lives with her and the kids, but she still carries the burden to provide for her family.
Before she heard about Diaconia, Lucia worked as a manicurist and struggled to make a living. With no money for training, her opportunity for growth was stunted. Her life changed when she heard about Diaconia through her son’s school, where they were promoting free vocational training. Lucia signed up to learn hairdressing and makeup. During her training, her teacher Lorena saw great potential in Lucia and invited her to work at her hair salon.
Today, Lucia has her own small business that has been growing and thriving. This past year, she was able to purchase a small car, which has helped her to be more effective in her work. Never did she imagine that she would ever drive a car, when all she could do before was yearn for a safer way to transport her little children.
Survival is not the goal for Lucia and her family anymore. While she has a growing client base, she dreams of owning her own hairdressing shop where clients can come to her. “I am so thankful for the opportunities that I have access to thanks to Diaconia. It literally changed me and my family’s lives.”