Hope for India’s Dalit children . . .

The most exploited people in the world today are the 250 million Dalits of India – and the great tragedy is that most of the world has never heard about them. For some 3,000 years, Dalits have lived under a caste system which has held them in bondage and spiritual tyranny.  

In northern India, Shimla is excited to begin school. Her family never dreamed this would ever be possible. Her mother is the sole supporter of the family, working as a construction labourer.  Wearing her tattered but colourful saree, she carries eight bricks on her head up a bamboo ladder to the stone mason who puts them in place with cement and sand.

She earns about 40 rupees  ($1/day) for 10 hours work. She has no way to send her children to school, and no hope of improving their future.

A Dalit Education Centre has been started in their community, and Shimla has been sponsored to attend the school. Her whole family is overjoyed with the opportunities before them.

With the help of Christian organizations in India, and concerned Christians in many countries worldwide, 60 schools have been started for Dalit children.

To learn more about the Dalits, contact www.dalitfreedom.net.

Winter/Summer 2008