India

We have just returned from 8 days in India. This was a physically and emotionally challenging trip. We met with an organization in Delhi that provides shelter for widows living in Vrindavan. They have one new facility and one much older, rented facility that although run-down is significantly better than the alternative these women face -- living on the street or in the temple, where they are abused in every way imaginable. The women have a precious sweet spirit and are deeply appreciative of the work being done on their behalf.

We visited an NGO called CCCYC (Churches’ Council for Child and Youth Care) in Bangalore, an umbrella organization for various projects throughout southern India. Our focus was on two in particular. Women whose husbands force them to go back to their families for additional dowry payments are at risk of being severely burned by their husbands if they don’t satisfy his demands. The husband will pour kerosene or other accelerant on her and set her on fire. This usually does not result in her death; however, it does leave her horribly disfigured and then the husband will turn her out, along with the children. We were horrified to learn how rampant this is outside the cities, and even sadder to visit with the children who are often badly burned as a result of trying to save their mothers. The work at this project involves sheltering the women and children while their wounds heal and providing reconstructive surgery when they are ready. They also teach life skills so these women now have options for themselves and their children.

The other project in Bangalore provides a multitude of services to women who are forced into "commercial sex work" and their children. For women who are actively working, there is a day care center for the children 0-5 years where they are fed nutritional meals, given baths, are cared for by a doctor and have a safe, loving environment in which to stay. For the women and children who have escaped, they provide shelter and training for the women to begin new jobs. There is also medical care for those who are HIV+ along with non formal education for the children who cannot attend school due to their health.