08/22/2022 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – In 2008, anti-Christian riots swept across the Kandhamal district of India’s Odisha state. After more than a month of violence, 120 Christians died, 8,000 Christian homes were destroyed or looted, and 56,000 people were displaced. Following these riots, ICC began supporting a children’s home that served 14 children who were orphaned by the violence.
The Indian government later changed how it regulated orphanages within the country, and ICC was no longer able to support these children. They were sent back to extended family and have faced numerous obstacles since then. In recent years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic situation worsened by the lockdowns, children have been struggling to complete their educations.
In response, ICC stepped in to assist the ten orphans who are still minors with educational assistance. We provided each child with a year’s tuition fees and books.
“I am thankful to ICC for helping me and taking care of me like a father after the death of my father,” one student shared. “I was hopeful and praying to God [to help] me to complete my studies. After many days, again ICC came forward like an angel and [provided] educational support which we were not able to pay [for] several years.”
Another added, “I am thankful to ICC for helping me to continue my studies. I was humiliated when my name came in first on the list who did not pay the fees…I am thankful to ICC for reconsidering me and providing educational support for continuing my studies.”
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