It is early in the morning when the 50 children start arriving at the Child and Mother Care Centre. They wash up after the long walk from their homes before morning devotions begin at 7:30 am, followed by an hour of study time. They are fed breakfast before they depart for school, now on bicycles. The children return from school to the Child and Mother Care Centre at 4 pm. After playing for half an hour, they get help with their homework, are fed and pray together before heading back home. Three teachers, a cook and a helper care for these children, demonstrating God’s love in action.

While the children are at school, our staff make home visits to teach family members the same values and lessons the children are being taught and to reaffirm the importance of attending school. They also educate the family about issues such as cleanliness, proper handling of food, disease prevention, family planning and childcare.

Worship services at Dholdholi are held on Saturdays at our Child and Mother Care Centre. The children are eager to attend and enthusiastically participate.

The story of Mukunda Santa reflects the difference The Bethania Foundation India ^TM’ Child and Mother Care Centre has made in one child’s life. Now 13 years old, Mukunda has been at the centre for several years. His father is an alcoholic and was unable to make a sufficient living to sustain the family. Because of his family problems, Mukunda did not attend school until he came to our centre. He is now in 5th grade, attends school regularly and is known to be a good and obedient student. Additionally, his father has stopped drinking and is now able to support Mukunda’s family.

Like the sister program in nearby Cilpajodi, the Dholdholi Child and Mother Care Centre began through the tribal ministry of Godfrey Rajkumar, who traveled the remote areas of Odisha helping those in desperate situations. When Mr. Rajkumar joined The Bethania Foundation India ^TM, he began offering needed services to families in this remote area of Odisha. Started in a rented church building, the program for children and families prospered. With the resources of a new building and a new well-trained staff, the Dholdholi Centre soon became the center of community life. The new Dholdholi Care Centre was built in 2017 thanks to a generous gift from the Pitts family.

Blagaan Harijan is the director of the the Dholdholi Centre. The Project Care Taker is Nabin Sauntha, assisted by Champa Hantal and Ashrita Mandingi. Blagaan expresses his thanks for your prayers and financial support. Hope is being built for 50 needy, poor and downtrodden children who come from illiterate, very poor families in remote villages. The children are happy being part of the The Bethania Foundation India ^TM family. Excellent care is provided for their physical, spiritual and educational improvements.