Sponsorships
Information
and Stories
Help a Child Foundation
New Zealand
85 Kahuterawa Road
RD 4 Palmerston North 4474
New Zealand
P: 0064 6 356 8696
E: info@helpachild.co.nz
E: accounts@helpachild.co.nz
W: www.helpachild.co.nz
Newsletters
May 2008
October 2008
April 2009
"If any of you is without sin, let him
be the first to throw a stone at her."
"...go now and leave your life of sin."
Words of Jesus
John 8: 7b & 11c
Together we can Help a Child
Help a Child New Zealand
How the Masseys are working in South India among the Devadasies (Temple Girls)
Reaching
Rescuing
Releasing
ABOUT THE MASSEYS: Both Arun and Shobha were born and brought up in Christian families. Arun is from the
Evangelical Friends Church in North India. He heard the call of our Lord Jesus Christ and left
an administrative job to come into full time ministry. He has done his Masters in Industrial
Relation and Personnel Management and also his Masters in Literature. He worked as
Personnel Manager in Ramabai Mukti Mission, a Christian orphanage.
in History and a diploma in Communication. She worked with ‘Youth for Christ’ before joining
Ramabai Mukti Mission where she worked as Public Relations Manager and as a guardian of
a group of girls.
after their marriage they started the ministry among Devadasies (Temple Prostitutes) in1995
in Dharward, Karnataka.
VISION:
To reach out to men, women and children of the Devadasi System, to provide, care((FOR))
and educate Devadasi children, to provide job oriented training and develop natural gifts and
skills, to address the many needs of HIV/AIDS Devadasies and their families.
“Servant of god’ the word ‘Devadasi’ might connote, but in reality a girl child who is dedicated
to the goddess is no more than a prostitute. For centuries, the repressive tradition of Devadasi
system had been prevailing in many parts of India.
‘Huligamma’. Fear of diseases, curses and superstitious beliefs force parents to dedicate their
daughters to the goddess. A Devadasi is not allowed to marry but is expected to satisfy the
lust of any man, for that is her religious duty. Hundreds of women have been devastated by a
system that forces them into prostitution. The children of Devadaties have no one whom they
can rightfully call their father.
PLIGHT OF DEVADASIES
Devadasies support their family by prostitution and suffer from social isolation and stigma.
and Arab countries.
and drive them into begging.
trade.
CHILDREN’S HOME FOR DEVADASI CHILDREN
“Let the little children come unto Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs
to such as these.” Mark 10:14
The Children’s home was opened in1997 for the daughters of Devadasies to influence them
from childhood, educate them for a better future, and nurture them in the love of God.
At present there are about 65 girls, ranging in age from 2 to 19, living with the Masseys.
All these girls have sponsors from New Zealand, and of course we are very involved in the
welfare of the home.
SHARE AND CARE PROJECT:
“Whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.” Matt 18:5
hours daily. We help them with their studies, teach them better hygiene and share with the
Christian values.
TAILORING CENTERS
Tailoring Center is for young ladies who are still involved in prostitution. This is to motivate
them to learn an alternate skill to support their family instead of resorting t prostitution.
FOOD SUPPLY
to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was
sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.” Matt 25:35-36
but mostly depend on their ritual begging.
MINISTRY TO HIV/AIDS PEOPLE:
Our Karnataka is one of the high-risk states of India. On Devadasi believer said that she lost
all her young friends to AIDS. There is an alarming increase of HIV/AIDS children.
Masseys are already working in three hot spots where this killer disease is annihilating men,
women and children.
and isolation.
and craft classes.
accepted Jesus as their Savior to help them grow spiritually strong and become a witness in
their own community.
wishers.
GET INVOLVED:
Do you want to be involved in such a tremendous ministry? Your powerful prayer support,
voluntary service, and financial support will enable us to go on those dusty roads leading to
the shacks of those dying from this terrible disease.
Come and let us take Jesus to a community that is under bondage of sin, superstitions,
ignorance and living with HIV/AIDS.
Temple Prostitution in India
In Karnataka, India, many young girls are dedicated as temple prostitutes to the goddess
Yellamma. At times, these girls have been destined to become 'devadasis' [temple prostitutes]
since their birth. These devadasis are never able to marry, but 'belong' to the goddess and
are used by men whenever they wish. Their mothers [often devadasis themselves] dedicate
the girls to 'ward off evil' and appease the gods and priests.
Their only means of income is then to go begging on the streets.
Since 1995 there is a home for the daughters of devadasis [and sometimes for young
devadasis themselves]. In this home the girls are lovingly cared for by the house parents and
staff. This way the girls have a chance to break this desperate cycle and live a better life.
They receive, shelter, food, Christian nurture, education and training.
At present, there are about 68 girls living in this home. All of these girls have New Zealand
sponsors. Right from the start, New Zealand has been involved with this home and we have
a special affinity with all the children.
In February 2008, a sponsor from New Zealand was able to visit the home and meet all the
lovely people there. She says,
"It was a blessed time of rejoicing in the goodness of God in rescuing these girls from their
poverty and despair. They were one lively, big family and they are all thankful and proud to
have New Zealand sponsors.
While there, we also visited a devadasi festival, a special celebration in honour of the goddess
Yellamma. It was shocking to see the state of some of the older women begging on the steps,
to see them bathe in 'holy water', which has been stale for years and had a layer of scum and
much rubbish floating on top, and to see the ways of the men and women so intertwined with
their religious practises and beliefs. There is still a big need to reach out to these people, to
rescue the girls and to support the work that Help a Child is doing there. It broke my heart
to see what was going on, but it was also wonderful to see the difference Help a Child is
making. The joy of the girls was so obvious. It is amazing a little can do so much!"
Together we can Help a Child