Rescue & Care
The heart of transforming the cultural value toward the girl-child involves quietly demonstrating worth of all life. The devaluation of women begins when her gender has been identified and most times will last her entire life. Reaching and teaching the expectant and newborn mother is the first and most critical step. Training foster families to care for unwanted girl-babies keeps her close to her community. In-country adoption allows her to be raised in her Indian culture.
Rescue of Abandoned Babies
Over 7,000 girls go missing each day in India. Considered a burden to their birth family, these girls are either aborted during the third-trimester, killed shortly after their birth, or subjugated to extremely neglected which results in their death.
Esther's House - Girls Orphanage
Esther’s house is an orphanage for young girls living at Bethel AFC in Danishpet, India. They have been orphaned or abandoned by their birth parents. Amazingly, they are the "lucky ones". Nearly 2 to 3 million Indian baby girls go missing each year as the result of gendercide. Their little lives ended because they were considered too much of a burden. Given the chance, these girls of Bethel have the opportunity to be safe, loved, and well-educated. Support is always needed for the ongoing care of these girls. Food, housing, clothing, medical care, books, tuition and school uniforms.
Use the keyword “ Esther’s House “ to designate your donation for their care.
- Orphaned Baby Care - Long Term
Presently, our Indian partner is placing 100% of rescued healthy babies with adoptive parents within India. Sadly, baby girls and boys born with a physical or mental disability are rarely selected for domestic adoption. These children need long-term care and protection. Many may have a physical disability and with the proper training can lead full and productive lives.
- Baby Home Support
Rescued infants reside in a “baby home” for 9 months to two years as they are cared for in preparation for domestic adoption. This allows the baby home to complete the interviews and home inspections of the adoptive parents.
Foster Parent Development
The Rhema Project is encouraging and training families within local churches to provide foster care for children with mild disabilities as they become eligible for international adoption. The process for international adoption can be lengthy so it is preferred that children are cared for in a family environment.
- Domestic Adoption
There is a growing and good trend of domestic Indian families wanting to adopt children. Many are unable to have children but some are understanding their societal responsibility to raise and love these abandoned children. Unfortunately, the federal and state governments of India restricts the adoptions fees that baby homes or orphanages can charge the adoptive parents. The Rhema Project has established a fund to cover costs that are not included in adoption fees.
- International Adoption
The Rhema Project will help facilitate international adoption of Indian children with disabilities. We will help promote and coordinate international adoption agencies and their families with our Indian orphanages and baby homes.