The purpose for
the Mercy and Grace Ministries in India is:."For
all the world's children whose lives are filled with hunger and can't understand
why, and for all beings who are dedicated to doing something about it.".There
are many children at risk
that too few care about.
Agriculture is the primary
occupation of the people as irrigation facilities are available with canals
of the river. However despite these irrigation facilities the economic
standards of the people in these areas are very low, especially among the
vulnerable sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The main reason for this
disparity is high concentration of a small group (18%), belonging to the
upper strata of the society. Even small and marginal farmers have to struggle
to bring their lands under cultivation, as they do not possess assets or
financial ability. They have to depend on money lenders. Naturally these
money lending and land owing class take advantage of this situation, rendering
loans with exorbitant rates of interest. Low prices for the farmer's produce,
usually the paddy (rice, especially in the husk, whether gathered or still
in the field; a specially irrigated or flooded field where rice is grown),
ensure a continual slave status for the poor.
In this situation the exploitation
of backward communities is a common feature in the society and the same
is meted on women. Though she plays a major role in family maintenance,
economy, child development etc., the due recognition is not given to her
from any corner of the society. She starts her life in the early hours
of the day to arrange comforts to others and then works in the fields on
par with men.
Despite all these jobs she
is neither regarded nor paid wages on par with men. The exploitative system
is meted on women from the very beginning of her childhood. She is not
sent to school and she has to take care of younger siblings and assist
her mother in household work.
With regard to the field
of Education there is a lot to be seen critically, especially in the context
of the micro realities. Though there are primary schools in most of the
villages, the drop out rate is very high, about 45% of the children drop
out themselves before they complete their 5th grade, while another 35%
before reaching middle school. The residuary percentage of less fortunate
children reach final school with great difficulty. Most of the children
at this level come from middle class families or families with economic
support. Children of poor families are considered as having economic value,
so sending them to school would mean economic loss to the family.
Deprived of Education
Education of children is
the serious problem, which we at Mercy and Grace Ministeries are aiming
at. Because children are considered as economic value, they are not sent
to school and find work as they may in agriculture, cattle grassing and
household work etc., at whatever will bring in something to help others
in the family. As a result they are deprived of their basic right to education
and thereby lose chances of having a better life in the future. This in
turn leads to many social problems, as there are chances of these children
becoming antisocial elements when they reach cities and towns in search
of work. Therefore, the plight of the poor is perpetuated.
Unless these children of
the poor become educated and/or trained in vocational courses, any familiy
they themselve may later want to create cannot be developed in a manner
that takes them out of the poverty cycle they have been accustomed to.
Though they are of school going age, it is rather unfortunate to know these
children are 100% illiterate.
There are many orphans in
the areas we are reaching out with help to. Education for them is a myth.
Fulfillment of basic needs is a serious problem preventing them from going
to school. A majority of such children are working for wealthy landlords,
and struggling hard to prosper their exploitive employers. As a result,
and to keep them working in such sub standard and unfair conditions, there
is never enough money left over for a childs to begin on the road to self-reliance.
In a way, one cannot blame the landlords for their indifferent attitude,
as they too are busy struggling to maintain their higher lifestyle, but
the children are left with hand to mouth living, locking them into a cycle
of poverty until they die.
Therefore the future of these
children is left to the fate and to the mercy of the landlords, rich people,
few of which have any mercy, and most of which are driven by the satanic
emotion of greed. A survey was conducted noting that there are many child
labor, street children, neglected, and abandoned orphans, and poorest of
the poor below poverty line living, who have to opt out of hope for education
and earn some immediate money for the family.
Inspiration
Mr. Madhava and his wife
Nirmala both are the board of trustees and key persons to share their time,
skills, knowledge, money and possessions with much love, care and concern
towards children, which has driven them to initiate this mission. Unfortunately
they were childless and adopted a boy and this has further increased their
dedication and commitment for the welfare and development of all children
who are subject to child labor, and have been neglected, abandoned orphans.
Mercy and Grace Ministeries under Madhava and Nirmala are appreciated by
those receiving what help they are able to provide.
Proposed Programmed
Mercy and Grace Ministeries
programs of help aim at development of children in a holistic way. Self-reliance
of the children is stressed. To this end, education in the form of vocational
courses is being implemented to the fullest extent of present abilities
to do so. It is not worth depending upon the Indian government for a Skill
Development Program for self employment and development of self reliance.
The same corporate slave mentality applies here as in most other parts
of the controlled world for corporate greed, and those behind them.
Education
It is planned that all children
of such need as we have discussed, will stay and be educated at the Mercy
and Grace campus up to class VII (Upper Primary). After completion of Class
VII, children will be merged into high school and vocational training.
Once they complete high school they will be ready for College Education
at whatever institution they may choose.
Our plan is that after successful
completion of such courses, we will take the responsibility of finding
work placements for them, and assistance for those able to be self employed.
Some of the trained children may wish to be engaged in the Mercy and Grace
work itself in its training and production center. Assistance is expected
from local residents and men and women moved enough in their heart, and
able to help. Aims are that a minimum of 35% will be reserved for girls.
During their stay in their campus home, all their needs will be met - food,
clothing, shelter, education and all other necessities including medical
aid and health care.
Vocational Training
Trades: Tailoring and Embroidery,
Typewriting, Motor Winding and Rural Electrification are presently identified
as suitable and feasible in this area and children can have some assurance
of having regular work. Tailoring and Typewriting are primarily meant for
girls; however boys will also be trained. For typewriting, students need
to complete school final at least to find a better placement. For Motor
Winding there is much scope as many wells are bored in agricultural fields
of every farmer. This trade has much demand. Presently Rural Electrification
is picking up very fast, everybody is electrifying their houses and boys
can find enough work. Therefore Motor Winding and Electrification will
go hand in hand very well to boys. In further it has been planned to start
carpentry, general engineering, and computer education. We also wish to
start dairy and sheep rearing on an experimental basis within the campus.
Self Reliance - our Ideology
The way of depending for
years on donor agencies for sustenance precludes development of a self
reliant boy or girl. Therefore serious thought has been given to self-reliance
of the project and finally decided to procure assets to our organization
in order to generate income. In addition to income from the agricultural
land the training together with production units will also contribute their
share.
We need donations to purchase
sufficient agricultural land. This will make it easier and possible to
maintain the school and home without depending continuously on external
help. Initially our planned project needs to be supported for some years
at least to the point of it becoming self-sustainable, where the project
can be continued with its own resources.
Most Respectfully,
Madhava and Nirmala, Founders/Trustees,
Mercy and Grace, KST.Road,
Bapulapadu, H.Junction-521105, India, Ph: 91-8656-244500. 91-8656-244900
KST.Road, Bapulapadu,
H.Junction –521105, Andhra Pradesh, India. Ph: 91-8656-244500 or 91-8656-244900;
Cellphone: 98481 23500
