07 Jan Three Programs, One Purpose: Sharing Love Through Community Service
Mugunthan, a Co-Mission Partner based in South Asia, works tirelessly with his team to serve their community through three key initiatives: an educational program, a dairy project, and a micro-loan program.
This year, their educational program supports 150 children, with 40 also receiving tutoring in English and Math. Their dairy project aids 35 beneficiaries, while the micro-loan program has reached 570 individuals, providing them with opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency.
Beyond the numbers, the team’s work is deeply personal. Every Friday, they intentionally set aside time to pray for each beneficiary, asking that they and their families will come to know God’s love and that the team will have opportunities to build meaningful relationships with them.
One of their beneficiaries, Rani*, has been part of the micro-loan program. A mother of three, she also has her children enrolled in the educational program. They live in a simple, half-built house made of bricks. Rani, a cancer patient, has had to take on work to help make ends meet after her husband left the family a year ago.
It’s an immense struggle, as the family of four depends on their daughter’s small allowance of 20,000 LKR ($67) which is not enough to even meet their basic food needs.
Through their support of her daughter Yasmin in the education program, Mugunthan’s team has been able to build a strong relationship with Rani. As they’ve walked alongside her, she shared that talking with the staff has helped ease some of the worries she carries.
Their presence and support have offered her a measure of comfort and a place to share her burdens.
The work is not without its challenges. Many families face complex issues, including problems between parents, alcohol abuse, and economic hardships, which profoundly affect the children.
The team also navigates issues like superstitious beliefs that hinder the dairy project and even the challenge of ensuring all teachers treat the children with the kindness they deserve.
Pray for:
- Parents of the children in the educational programs; that they will cease to have issues within themselves
- Teachers in the educational programs; that they will treat their students well
*Names changed to protect privacy