The DIRTIEST, Most Sacred River in the World

I introduce to you the Ganges River....

The Ganges River is the most heavily populated river basin in the world. It is also one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Dead carcasses can be seen floating through the river, and methane bubbles can be seen rising to the surface. 

Though the Ganges is clearly polluted, it still serves as the most sacred river to Hindus. It is also also a lifeline to millions of Indians who live along its course and depend on it for their daily needs such as: bathing, drinking, washing, etc.

Environmental Plans have been made to clean up the river. Unfortunately, the plans have failed due to Indian traditions and beliefs, lack of support from religious authorities, etc.

A Passionate Heart

 Kandyce is w o n d e r f u l lady who I met in India. Her heart WAS RUINED for India once she stepped foot off that plane. She is passionate about Justice in India, along with the rest of the world. Check out her blog for some inspirational stories!

This is the first trip she made to India years ago

Since then she has done much work in India. She has volunteered with an orphanage, helped with child sponsorship programs, photography for Indian organizations, and much more.

She got engaged in India...

She accidentally got married in India...

Back in America, she helps refugees find jobs who came to America looking for freedom and a place to belong.

She has a good story to tell

 

...HEAR HER STORY...

Giving Rural Society Hope

BIRDS INTERNATIONAL longs to see a world without hunger, poverty, or injustice.

Bharati Integrated Rural Development Society (BIRDS) is a NGO "which aims to meet the expressed needs of the impoverished, underprivileged and excluded in Andhra Pradesh, a state in southern India"  

     Many livelihoods are dependent upon farming in India. A lot of times farmers commit suicide because they do not know their rights to land; therefore, their land can be easily taken away from them because they are uneducated on the fact that they actually do have rights. If the farmers lose their land, they will not be able to support their family and this is very shameful. Many times they are taken advantage of and in despair will resort to suicide. BIRDS educates farmers in the area about  how to farm and how to produce crops that will grow in their environment. They also give the farmers awareness of their rights to own the land and will help fight for their rights in court. 

 

BIRDS also has a school for the farmer's children would never have enough money to get receive an education. They are able to be educated through sponsorships. In addition to the school, they also have an orphanage which takes in children whose parents cannot afford to keep them, or for children whose parents have committed suicide. 
 

Interested in sponsoring a child to give them a home, educate, and feed them?

Get Connected: Development in Action

Development in Action (DiA) is an awesome blog that is really interested in engaging our youth in worldwide issues. They also a lot of work in India, and have many other sources of information available through their blog,  e-bulletin newsletters and online resource library.

Check out their blog to get more information on    worldwide issues!!

"If you are  interested in international development, politics of a particular developing country or any issues that affect the developing world, and enjoy writing, let us know. I’m sure we would love to have you on board!" - Emily Wright

*Emily Wright is in charge of the blog, you can email through emilywight@developmentinaction.org

*It is also possible to follow DiA on twitter by going to @emily_wight

Go here if you would like to volunteer abroad and partner with DiA!!!

Prayer: Impact and Change the World

Our prayers have lead to many steps forward in the fight to keep the girls in India alive and loved.

India is far far far away from America. When we see injustices like people killing their children,   it can be shocking and very overwhelming. It probably feels like there is no way on earth you can impact them in anyway. Wellllllllll there is a simple answer if your really feeling like you cant do anything about the problem...you could try praying. Prayer is a big tool in changing the world.

 Please continue to pray for the Girl Child in India. 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
Philippians 4:6

The Meaning of a Name

 Names in India are very important. Many times if you meet someone and tell them your name, they then ask what it means. Imagine what it would be like to tell someone your name means ugly, unworthy, or dirty. This is actually the case for hundreds of girls and women in India. The link below is an awesome article about how girls in India have been able to change their names to meaningful ones. What a breakthrough! 

Article: Hundreds of Indian Girls Named :Unwanted" Choose New Names 

Missing Girls in India

             Statistics regarding the lives of the Indian girl child prove that disposal of the girl child is increasing: the ratio of girls to boys is 914 girls per 1,000 boys (for children 6 and younger). Sadly, the ratio was 927 girls to 1,000 boys in the previous census. This means that the number of girl children is decreasing, and the problem is getting worse. More girls are missing than in the past.  
             The government of India has many programs working to help the girl child. These programs are made up of foreign organizations, local organizations, and government organizations.  One program is called the Cradle System. With the Cradle System, there are special locations at the hospital where mothers can drop off their babies if they do not want them. This system has stopped the older practice of mothers placing their baby girls on the doorstep of an orphanage overnight, leaving them to the care of anyone who takes them in. This system has been a great help, yet the girl child is still being disposed of, and problem is still present.

***Being aware of these present global issues show us just how important it is to pray for the girls and women in India. ***