Child Sponsorship

Jacob’s Well provides a safe haven and hope for a better future for children in danger. There are over 1000 orphans in one district alone in need of child sponsorship.

Education

Even for those children who complete primary education there are no secondary schools nearby and the tribal children can't get into the bigger towns and cities to continue their education. Our aim is to provide full secondary education for tribal children like these.

Child Sponsorship

By sponsoring a child you help us break the poverty cycle. Children from remote villages are given scholarships and board to enable them to attend primary and then secondary school and, if suitable, go on to tertiary education. These children will be taught skills that will enable them to return home and greatly benefit the whole community. This is only possible through Child Sponsorship. People from the local community (both adult and children) will also be able to attend classes held at the home, and use the facilities for community development projects.

The Children

Jacob’s Well has established two Care Centres, providing food, shelter, comfort and education for needy children. A Child Sponsorship costs only $40 per month. Sponsor a child and help us break the poverty cycle. Here are some of the children's stories:

Sonali was 6 when she came to Rejoice Care Centre. She was cared for by her grandmother who is elderly, frail and was worried about what would become of Sonali when she (the grandmother) died. Sonali has no father and her mother is a prostitute. If Sonali stayed with her mother she would be at risk of sexual abuse, shunned by the villagers because of her mother's work and probably end up in prostitution herself. Her grandmother is so happy and relieved she is safe, now she can relax - to quote her "she can die now knowing Sonali is safe".

Padma after just one year at our Rejoice Care Centre can now read and write letters perfectly. Her health has improved considerably and she is always neat and clean. She can sing in English, Hindi and Oriya, enjoys playing and helps with the cooking.

Sonadei has a younger sister and both parents go out to work in the fields as daily labourers. Sonadei's work was to care for her younger sister. School was never considered for her. Sonadei is now at the hostel loving the food, the good mattress, singing and getting an education.

The change in Sonadei has amazed all of us. When she came to Rejoice she was not able to read and write but now she can write very well and has improved in reading. Her handwriting is very good. She can pronounce the English alphabet and many words. Sonadei’s health has improved dramatically. She looks so beautiful now, full of confidence where once she was shy and afraid to look directly at anyone. She is helping with the housework and spends a lot of time helping the younger ‘brothers and sisters’.

Bharti's father deserted her and her mother is unwell and cannot work. Her mother relies on the assistance of her family members for food and had no money for Bharti to go to school. Bharti is now studying, learning to read and write, enjoying the comforts of the hostel and now has a bright future.

Rajat's parents are dead, as are most of his aunts and uncles. He was being cared for by his grandmother who is frail and has only one son to care for her. There was little food and no hope of education for Rajat. Now he is being educated and well fed, taking the pressure off his family and giving him confidence and new hope.

The House Parents of Rejoice Care Centres

Susant Kumar Majhi and his wife, Pranati, are our home parents for Rejoice in the state of Orissa. They are a loving and caring couple who have three children of their own. We are truly blessed to have them as vital members of the Jacob’s Well team.

Majhi and Pranati come from the same village in another district. Like many villagers they married very young and had their first daughter while they were in their teens. They understand the needs of tribal people and have experienced village life with all its difficulties first hand, so they are able to serve the children and their families in our area of outreach.

To assist Rejoice become self-sufficient, Majhi maintains a wonderful vegetable garden. There are some chooks laying eggs and an orchard, with first harvest due in a couple of years. The children are all involved and are not only learning how to grow their own food, but enjoying eating their produce too!

Samuel and Suraya are our managers of Rejoice Care Centre Kakinada. They have many years experience and are highly skilled in areas of teaching and home management. We are privileged to have them. Rejoice Kakinada will provide for 25 children and 10 widows. Just as in our other home, the children will receive total care in a loving environment, as will the widows who will also help care for the children and develop their own skills as part of our self-sufficiency goal.

Thank you to all whose support has made this possible.

To continue this life saving work we need finance, sponsors, expertise and partners. Please join us and help break the poverty cycle. 100% of your donation goes directly India.* Our dedicated team of field workers ensure your donation goes to the area of greatest need. Donations to approved aid development activities are tax deductible.

Please download and complete our donation form and either fax +61 3 9803 6115 or post to PO Box 680 Glen Waverley Australia 3150. Cheques made payable to Jacob’s Well India.

On behalf of the villagers we thank you.

* If a tax receipt is not required. Expenses are covered by generous partners volunteering their time and resources (even bank charges).