India has an enormous population - 1.2 billion people - and within this population is around 700 million that would classified as low caste and 300 million of these are called Dalits, or untouchables.
Who are the Dalits?
According the "The Dalit Freedom Network
http://www.dalitnetwork.org/ the
caste system is one of the more confusing mysteries of India. The caste system, which has existed for more than 3,000 years, was developed by the Brahmin (priest) caste in order to maintain their superiority. Eventually, the caste system became formalized into four distinct classes (
Varna).
The
Brahmins are the highest Varna and are the priests and arbiters of what is right and wrong in matters of religion and society. Below them are the
Kshatriyas, who served traditionally as soldiers and administrators. The
Vaisyas are the artisan and commercial class, while the
Sudras are the farmers and the peasants. It is said that the Brahmin come from Brahma’s mouth, Kshatriyas from his arms, Vaisyas from his thighs, and Sudras from his feet.
Beneath the four main castes is a fifth group, the
Scheduled Castes. The people of the Scheduled Castes are not part of the Varna system. They are the untouchables, the
Dalit.
A Dalit is not considered part of human society, but instead is considered something less than human. The Dalits generally perform the most menial and degrading jobs. Caste rules hold that Dalits pollute higher caste people with their presence. If higher caste Hindus touch an untouchable or even come within a Dalit’s shadow, they must undergo rigorous series of cleansing rituals (See
gomutra).
Approximately 250 million Indians (a full 25% of the population) are Dalits. In a country where everybody is supposed to have equal rights and opportunities, one out of four people is condemned to be untouchable.
Although the Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms for all Indians, Dalits are systematically abused. Dalits are poor, deprived and socially backward. Their most basic needs of food, shelter, and safety are not fulfilled. They also cannot access decent education and employment. The systematic denial of their basic human rights results in a lack of education, food, healthcare, and economic opportunity, thereby keeping Dalits in perpetual bondage to the upper castes.
Serve India helps the Dalits by setting up Stepping Stone Tutorial Centers.
Program Overview
At each Stepping Stone tutorial center, located in villages where Serve India Ministries is at work, school age children (6-10) from mostly poor families gather each evening to receive help with their school lessons, projects, and homework. These children are loved, cared for, and given spiritual foundation stones as they are served through this program. The project is an outreach tool and complements the Gospel work being done in the community by the pastor who oversees the center.
Why Stepping Stone Centers are Important
The government-run, Indian village schools do provide free education; however, 60-70% of the children from poor and illiterate families drop out because their parents are not able to provide the necessary home support for their education. Without an education, these children will find themselves trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty perpetuated throughout rural India.
Most children in SIM’s programs come from the lower strata of society. They are more than just poor and illiterate. They are the Dalits, or “untouchables,” who are not allowed by their religion to rise above the subhuman status they have been given within Indian society. At least 300 million people fall into this category. These children need extra help to overcome this social discrimination. By government legislation the official caste system no longer exists in India, but centuries of cultural tradition continue to offer little hope for millions of these people.
A Stepping Stone Tutoring Center is a practical and effective way for missionaries to show the love and compassion of Jesus Christ as they share His Gospel message with those who need to hear.
How the Stepping Stone Program Works
A minimum of 50 school-age children are enrolled at the center.
The children come to the center for two hours after the school day and receive tutorial help.
The pastor and volunteers from the church run the center and give spiritual input to the life of each child by teaching Bible stories, songs, and how to pray to Jesus. Several part-time teaching staff are hired to help the children with their school lessons, projects, and homework.
On Saturday, children are invited to attend a three-hour session of fun activities and skill-building lessons. The children will play games, learn Bible stories and songs, and receive instruction concerning better health and hygiene habits, good manners, and life skills.
How to Link your Life with a Stepping Stone Center
The cost to run a Stepping Stone Tutoring Center is $150 per month for 50 children. In other words, for only $3 a child can receive 25 days of help each month. The potential for impact is enormous. Please pray about joining us in this important endeavor.
You can learn more about sponsoring a Stepping Stone Center by going to:
