India’s economy is rapidly growing and in urban areas there is an expanding middle-class. But at the same time the poor are becoming even poorer. In the dark shadows of this land, a silent tragedy plays out as millions of boys and girls go to sleep each night hungry. It is estimated that 40% of the population here in the Ganges River Plain state of Uttar Pradesh lives below the poverty level. Of 70 million children below the age of 15, 30 million of them are considered at-risk, being malnourished, unable to attend a proper school, and facing a future of misery and exploitation. The problem of chronic hunger is just as serious in remote villages as on city streets. People who cannot afford three or sometimes even one or two meals a day are forced into a lifestyle of learning to live with far less than the body needs. The growth of their minds and bodies are stymied. Parents endure the agony of helplessly watching their children suffer.

Currently a humanitarian organization by the name of “Tell Asia” is providing education on a daily basis to 2,200 at-risk children in 87 villages of Varanasi region, North India. Child Cry has partnered with Tell Asia to feed 550 poor children per day in 25 villages of Varanasi region, Uttar Pradesh. These children will receive one wholesome and nutritious hot meal per day (Lunch). The meal will include rice, daal (a high-protein pulse), and vegetables. This will raise their nutrition level from malnourished to well nourished, enabling them to grow normally without being stunted, to concentrate on their studies with a full stomach, and to function with energy and joy as young children should.

ChildCry is partnering with TellASIA Ministries Inc. and aims to improve the overall well-being of Varanasi’s most vulnerable children. The entire community benefits from healthier, happier, more productive children.

Child Cry Feeding Program Launch

TellASIA Ministries is helping some of the poorest children in the villages of North India. For the past 10 years we have been providing them basic education along with improving their reading and writing skills at various village Learning Centers. Now with the help of two funding agencies, we are running these Centers in 79 villages. Each Center is staffed by teachers employed from the local village. We are currently helping 9,000 destitute children by teaching them simple mathematics, general science, social studies, and also the Bible in addition to reading and writing.

Now, another exciting project is beginning in conjunction with the education centers. We are very grateful to Times Square Church for sponsoring the Child Cry Feeding Program which will enable us to provide 500 of the most poor and malnourished children at least one wholesome meal a day.

After much planning and preparation we are very pleased to announce that the Child Cry Feeding Program was launched on August 16, 2009. The venue was one of our largest Learning Centers at then remote village of Kuddupur, Jaunpur district. It was a great celebration with 150 destitute children of all age groups gathering to attend this exciting event. The church where it was held is one of the few mega churches here in the state of UP, North India. It has a membership in excess of 3500 people.

The building consists of 3 small rooms and a large courtyard covered by tin sheets held up by bamboo poles. It is under this shelter that the congregation assembles for prayer, the Word of God, and miraculous healings every Sunday

The program began with much fun and games as our team led the children in activities such as egg-and-spoon race, musical chairs and other sports. It was almost a dream come true for the children. Villages in this area are of India are often places of misery due to extreme poverty. Basic necessities such as clothing and food are hard to come by. Because of this a melancholy spirit of mere survival often pervades even the lives of the children. Therefore this celebration was a very unique way to enable the children to experience happiness and joy in their lives.

After the games our team handed out to the children comic-style Bible story pamphlets. Some of the key Bible stories were then explained to the children.

After this a nutritious and wholesome lunch was fed to all the children who attended the program.

Parents who had come along with their children were equally blessed when they saw the Jesus Film. Some who had never heard of the name of Jesus before in their lives were thrilled know the Son of God and what He had done for all humankind. During and after the film show many of them cried and repented of their sins and made a decision to live for Jesus. It was an emotional sight to see even the elderly cry like little babes. The children also made a decision to live for Jesus and make Him known to their friends who do not know Him. It was a blessed day indeed!

The children watching the Jesus Film after their meal and games

Our deep thanks go out to Child Cry for enabling this project. Assisting a child with a nutritious meal each day means the difference between health and malnutrition for these destitute children. Working in mutual partnership with Child Cry, we are thrilled that now we can help prevent unnecessary health problems of malnutrition and under-nourishment of these children while also sharing Jesus’ love. We expect to launch the Child Cry Feeding Program in several more of our Learning Centers during this month of September.