On May 12, 2013 many parts of the world (including India) will celebrate Mother’s Day to honor mothers, motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers on society.

Yet in India today, millions of mothers are shamed and humiliated or even beaten to death for birthing a daughter. They are often forced to have a late term abortion after an illegal sex determination ultrasound is preformed that identifies the fetus as a girl-baby. Nearly one million times each year they must helplessly watch their newborn daughters being ripped away from them and then watch them being killed by their in-laws simply because they were not a boy-baby. They and their daughters only eat once the men and boys have had their fill. Their daughters are deemed worthless and a burden to the family. Many times their daughters are not allowed to attend school in order to fetch water and firewood for the family. Because they are a burden to the family a bridal dowry of 5 to 10 times a family’s income is demanded by the groom’s family to compensate them for their “loss.”

The psychological trauma is overwhelming to most young Indian mothers. After watching this story continually repeat itself in their lives sometimes they too participate in the ending of their baby daughter’s life. Over and over, we have been told by Indian mothers

“Why would I want my precious daughter to endure what I have had to – a short time of pain (death) is much better than a lifelong time of hardship and suffering.”

However, a new day is coming for mothers and their daughters in India because of the tireless efforts of The Rhema Project’s programs in India. The picture (above) is becoming more commonplace in the villages where we work. Recently we have shared the story of Rahda and how education has given her and her daughter new hope.

Next Sunday, treat your mother with honor and respect. Thank her for what she has done for you. Kindness and respect are learned behaviors that we are attempting to model and demonstrate to the mothers and daughters of India.

Maybe, in addition to a gift of chocolate, flowers or dinner out for your mom, you might consider a donation to The Rhema Project that will greatly impact the life of a girl-baby and her mother forever.

One of the biggest challenges we face is when do we “invest” limited resources on one individual versus allocating those same funds to benefit all. Smarter minds than mine have debated this for years. Add the Indian cultural values the group much more than the individual which is most times exactly the opposite for we westerners.

Last month while in India we had one of opportunities to choose. This young girl had developed a skin disease that led to her mother abandoning her and relinquishing all of her parental rights. The orphanage did not have the discretionary funds for her to see a specialist to determine if there was even any treatment.

After a brief discussion a couple of our team members wanted to advocate for her not knowing if any treatment would be helpful but a medical exam needed to be the first step.

Earlier this week I received an update. She was responding to the treatment and the disease seemed to be responding to the medicine prescribed. Maybe more importantly her emotional well-being had significantly improved. Her smile had returned and her hope was renewed.

This time we chose one and I think it was the right choice!

We first met this remarkable woman last month when we were visiting a remote village in Tamil Nadu, India. She is a woman of great courage and influence even though all of the “cultural markers” in her life would tell you otherwise.

First, she is a woman. Many times and especially in remote villages of Tamil Nadu are not valued even by their immediate families. Young girls are the property of their parents and their future will be determined and marriage arranged by their parents. They have little to no voice.

Second, Esther has never attended school. She is illiterate and cannot write her name. Her parents were of the poorest of the poor and never saw the value of sending her to school. So, as a young girl she spent most days collecting firewood and fetching water.

Third, she has never been married. Many girls in India are never given a last name. When young they are often referred to as “the daughter of…” and when their marriage is arranged they become “the wife of… from…” Her value is never her own it is derived by her caste and family status.

Finally, Esther is a Christian. In a country where the vast majority of people are Hindu, becoming a Christ-follower comes at a very high cost. Most times you will not only loose your birth and property rights but your family will disown you.

Yet, in spite of, or maybe it is because of these factors, Esther has become one of the most influential people in her village as well as four neighboring villages. She is a pastor who shares her faith by asking others to read to her scripture and then quietly explains to them what they have just read. Esther demonstrates her faith by rescuing unwanted baby girls from certain death by pleading with their birth parents not to kill them.

She does this by caring for her friends and neighbors right where they are but loves them to not leave them there.

This is why we were so excited to have the opportunity to partner with Esther and start our Prenatal & Newborn Care program in this area. Our surveys have revealed that there are hundreds of baby girls killed each and every year just in this region alone. Most just like Esther except she was allowed to live.

I can think of no one more equipped to turn this culture upside down than Esther. We have so much to learn from her.

In this one small village where many baby girls are killed shortly after their birth The Rhema Project is implementing a short-term (Prenatal & Newborn Care/Foster Care) programs with long-term initiatives (Education/Economic Opportunity).

Our first step was to drill a bore-well. Not only did the well provide fresh, clean drinking water but it “took away” the excuse for parents not sending their daughters to the local school. If your daughter needs to walk to another village to fill a water jug she can not attend school. The village well simply allows her to complete her task in a few minutes instead of several hours – giving her time to attend school.

Recently we celebrated the graduation of 5 girls from the village school that provides education through the 5th standard (5th grade). These girls had two options. First, stop their formal education and probably be married in the next few years. Or, find a way to continue their education that was available in a nearby village approximately 5 miles away.

A brand new bicycle now only celebrates her achievements but encourages her to continue her education.

Education has both an intrinsic worth but a practical financial value. Education allows her to understand who she is and gives her skills that can be used in the marketplace. Every year a girl is able to attend school in India increases her annual earning power by 15 to 20%. Completing high school doubles her income.

She’s the Change We Wish to See in India!

Three years ago she was rescued from under a sticker bush where she had been thrown by her birth parents. She was moments from death. Literally, a pack of wild dogs were circling her when a pastor’s wife walked by and heard her faint cries. Today she celebrates her 3rd birthday complete with cake and presents. She is well loved by and completely cared for by her foster family. She is their daughter.

Because of our donor support we were able to give and demonstrate her value. Our mission – that every girl child in India would be able to celebrate her birthday with bangles, bright dresses and lots of cake!

She’s the Change We Wish to See in India!

Three and one-half years ago almost all baby girls (other than first born) did not survive in this rural village in South India. For the “lucky” surviving baby girls their parents did not celebrate their birth or life and typically dressed them in very non-discript clothing so they would not experience discrimination. No long hair. No bangles. No pierced ears. No dresses.

The Rhema Project first drilled a well (community need) and then launched its first Prenatal & Newborn Care Initiative in this village.

1. Expectant mothers received daily milk and vitamin allotments.
2. Each month these women were taken for a prenatal exam and were treated to a meal at an Indian restaurant.
3. Our staff began to share the value of all babies and how to care for them.
4. When a baby girl was born we celebrated her life with small gifts. Village families always celebrate the birth of boys.
5. Families with baby girls were allowed to continue on daily milk and vitamin program for an additional six months.

Today, the health of all newborns has been greatly improved. Parents are pushing back the cultural discrimination of baby girls and are demonstrating and expressing their love for their daughters.

Today, the ratio of baby girls to boys has returned to near normal levels. Fathers are seen carrying and caring for their daughters. These little girls now are dressed in dresses, their hair is longer and many have bangles on their wrists and ankles.

Plus the village primary school has gone from an enrollment of 70 boys and 30 girls to nearly equal attendance of girls and boys.

We are replicating our Prenatal & Newborn Care Initiative in nearby villages with the goal of expanding into many more villages in 2013. For more information on our Prenatal & Newborn Care Initiative or how your family, church or friends can fund the transformation of a village culture and change the fate of hundreds of baby girls, email us at info@therhemaproject.org.

On Sunday, August 12th The Rhema Project was the premier sponsor for Indianapolis’ India Day Celebration. Nearly 800 people celebrated India’s independence day (Americans think 4th of July) at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.

Our goal is to encourage Indian families living in the states to join with us on the mission to end female gendercide in their home country. Many are 2nd and 3rd generation families living in America.

These are two of my favorite photos taken during the event. The first of a young Indian girl thanking our volunteers for the Indian doll handcrafted by Indian women rescued from the streets of Chennai by one of our partner organizations.

The second photo is of a young Indian women that stopped by our booth to learn more about The Rhema Project and our mission to end female gendercide in her home country. When every Indian women has the opportunity and hope for a better tomorrow we will have been successful.

When all that is yours needs to be stored in a small locker and your wardrobe consists of one school dress, one sports outfit (worn on Friday for game day at school) and a tattered blouse and skirt for weekends receiving a new outfit from America one day is like having Christmas and your birthday all wrapped up into one!

This is what is happening this Friday when the girls from Bethel AFC orphanage will open the clothing donated by Matilda Jane. The boxes of clothing arrived early this week but “Christmas morning” needed to be delayed because of midterm exams at school. They know getting a good education is their only hope for a better tomorrow. So, regardless of how excited the girls have been to wear their new Matilda Jane clothing they know they needed to study first.

Unlike most of us in America who quickly forget what we actually got for Christmas or our birthday, these orphan girls will cherish their new “digs.” Most times these girls only get the “left overs” after they are no longer wanted by the original wearer. Not these outfits, Matilda Jane has donated brand new clothing and the first time they will be worn is when the girls of Bethel quickly run back to their room and change into their new outfit. After a brief fashion show with much laughter and smiles, the girls will return to their room and will be neatly hang up their Matilda Jane’s in their small locker and then only worn on special occasions.

Next time you are looking for clothing for your little girl check out Matilda Jane’s website (www.matildajaneclothing.com) because when you buy from them you will be also giving toward an Indian orphan girl at Bethel AFC.

Thanks to Alicia Lewis, customer care extraordinaire for Matilda Jane and TRP board member Denise Walsh for making this Friday so very special for a group of girls in India.

Oct 4, 2011. Today nearly 100 students from Bethel College participated in the launch of our campaign “Shout Out… So She Can Be Heard!” The objective was not only to inform students about female infanticide, feticide and gender discrimination against the Indian girl child but directly connect each student with an orphan girl from Bethel AFC in Danishpet, India.

The campaign is also being launched on several other college campuses as well as with university students in Nagpur, India.

Dr. Ted Bryant and his wife Angela shared their personal experiences about India and how the students could have impact even from 9,000 miles away. Several Bethel College students also spoke on how their trips to India had a profound impact on their world view and a better understanding of the issues in a developing country.

The event allowed students to;

1. Empower A Child – wrote a personal note, created a friendship Indian bracelet and recorded a video message that will be delivered to the girls living at Bethel AFC.

2. Influence A Friend – students jumped online to learn more about the issues and then connected with other students and friends to share what they had learned.

3. Impact A Nation – each student signed a resolution that will be sent to the US State Department with the goal of 5,000 signatures

During the internet cafe experience, two co-ed students used their skills to send a “Shout Out” with a YouTube message.

It was a good day at Bethel College!

Olivia’s Favorite Moment @ Bethel

Olivia, a premed undergrad student from Hillsdale College shares a few of your thoughts about her summer internship at Bethel AFC in Danishpet, India.

Olivia has been spending her days assisting the dentist who’s office is located in Bethel’s hospital. Each late afternoon she returns to the campus to play with the young girls at the “baby home” or sharing stories with the girls living in the orphanage.

I don’t know if you can adequate prepare yourself for living in a developing country but Olivia has done a remarkable job coping with the challenges of daily life.

Olivia – we are very proud of you and know your experience this summer will have a profound impact on the rest of your life!