THE ISSUES
According to UNICEF, there are more than 31 million orphans in India. Orphans and vulnerable children in this country are often kidnapped and sold into prostitution, slavery, or murdered for organ harvesting. Impoverished children are also at risk of malnutrition and diseases like leprosy and HIV/AIDS.
Little girls are especially in danger in India, as gendercide runs rampant across the country. 50,000 female fetuses are aborted every month, while thousands of others are killed or abandoned after birth. Since 1980 an estimated 40 million girls are “missing” due to sex-selective abortion, neglect, and murder.
OUR CHILDREN’S HOMES
• ASHA HOUSE, Andhra Pradesh is home to 20 children, from birth to 18 years old**.
• ASHA MISSION, Delhi is home to 21 little boys, from 5 to 17 years old.
• ASHA MISSION, Kolkata is home to 11 little girls, from 5 to 16 years old.
The Sound of Hope has partnered with these three Children’s Homes to rescue orphans and vulnerable children from the streets, slums, brothels, and leper colonies. These precious little boys and girls are quickly accepted into their new family, where they are free to laugh and play with their “brothers and sisters”. In addition to meeting their basic needs of food, clothing, and a safe home; they receive an education, mentoring, medical care, and lots of love from the house parents and staff!
*Asha is Hindi for HOPE.
**The age ranges reflect the actual ages of the children currently in the home, not the age children are accepted or “age out”. Our partners take children as young as newborns, and children do not automatically “age out” of our homes. We work to support the children in our care after they finish high school if they wish to pursue a college education, learn a trade, or seek employment.
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