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Economic Development

    IVM serves the rural and poor villages of India.  When I (Ron Miller) visited several of the Indian villages, I was overwhelmed by the poverty and the great number of needy people.  IVM has an emphasis on bringing the good news about Jesus Christ to the villagers, but this is accompanied by practical help for their everyday needs.  How can we help the very poor without making them dependent upon us?  One answer is to provide  vocational training.  Naturally the orphanage provides education for the children.  But IVM has found another way to help some of the villagers by providing vocational training and necessary tools.  The first step has been Sewing training for village women.  A sewing instructor was hired to give classes on the IVM facility next door to the Golden Candle Church.  Using pedal sewing machines (electic machines are not practical when the power is typically out for half the day) village women are able to sew and supplement their family income.

Graduation and Presentation of Sewing Machines

      In October 2007, Suresh and Roja emailed the photos and said, "We had a special function for sewing trainees as they completed their course. We have purchased sewing machines and accessories and presented them to all ladies who completed their training.  A second class has started in October. We are limited to 12 students per class."

      Here is the newspaper article from the local newspaper in the Telegu language.  No, I can't read it either.  The vocational training helps relieve poverty in the village and also provided opportunity for Christian witness to the students, families, and to the community.  In this Hindu village, it is important to have a good reputation.  Many of the villagers are not interested in having Christians in their village, but because of the good works they see that having a church in their village is not a bad thing.

      It costs about $100 (US Dollars) to provide a manual sewing machine and basic sewing tools for one graduating student.  If you are interested in providing this need for one village family, contact me at IndiaVillage@aol.com to make arrangements for a tax deductible contribution.