Books, Back Packs and Back to School Blessings Indian education is very different from our system in the west. More than 25 million primary school-age children are not in school. More than 40% of first-grade children will not complete their primary grades (through 5th grade). Children of poorer families are at a far greater risk of dropping out—nearly 4 times those of wealthier parents. There are large gaps in access to education in location, quality and for those in the lowest Indian caste known as the Dalits or “Untouchables.” As difficult as it is for poor children, the situation is worse for orphaned and abandoned children. These cannot even afford a uniform, much less books and supplies they must bring. Their day is spent in gathering food and trying to find other common necessaries. In falling into this state, most do not survive beyond their 15th year. Mission of Joy has about two hundred orphans who have just received their books, supplies, uniforms and tuition to begin the new school year. If we can educate these children, and teach them English proficiency, they have an excellent chance of surviving and finding work one day as an adult. You make this possible! We are blessed to have your prayers and support in this outreach. Just by learning to read, means they can open their own Bibles and begin to understand how much God loves them.
