Last summer radical Hindu mobs attacked Indian believers, with the most violence seen in the Kandhamal District of Orissa. Extremists burned people alive, gutted homes, and destroyed whole villages, rendering more than 25,000 people homeless.
Of those 25,000 were countless children who fled into the forest. For more than five days, parents and children cowered in the woods until they mustered the courage to escape—seeking refuge from Christians outside Orissa.
Ranjit Nayak, a Christian and full-time employee of Friends Missionary Prayer Band in India, opened his home and provided shelter to 137 men, women and children in the days immediately following the violence.
As families began to relocate to government-controlled camps, The Suryodaya Charitable Trust Home was established to provide care, shelter and education to children of the families who had been displaced.
“It was the plight of the children that caused people to heed to the parents plea for help for their children,” said Umashankar Shankardas, India program director. The home first housed 15 boys and then expanded to 76 boys.
“The bare truth is that even today, Christians are living in government-controlled camps and cannot return to their land and homes,” said Shankardas. “The only way people can go back to their homes and live is if they publicly reconvert to Hinduism. A lot of people, out of a compulsion to live and move on, are doing so.”
Christians unwilling to waiver in their faith, however, have chosen to remain in the camps until the situation returns to normal. Unfortunately this may take many years, said Nayak, chairman of the Suryodaya Charitable Trust Home. In the meantime, their children suffer.
“Many time as Christians we are tuned in while persecution occurs,” said Mike Douris, president of Orphan Outreach, “but afterwards it is easy to go on with our lives and forget the aftermath. So many families, pastors and churches have been impacted and are still dislocated. As believers it is hard to know how we can make a difference but the believers at the Suryodaya Charitable Trust Home have taken a step of faith to make a difference and we have a God given opportunity to walk along side to care for these children and provide for those who have suffered and given so much for their faith.”
A good education
For the 76 boys who found their way to the Suryodaya Charitable Trust Home, they now have access to shelter, food, and something about which they never would have dreamed—a good education. At a time when they are simply trying to deal with the horrors they have witnessed, the boys can now focus on their studies in a safe environment.
The older boys attend nearby schools while the younger boys learn from teachers at the group home. It is the actions and dedication of others that have given these boys a second chance at a happier childhood.
