The most recent work of Shared Blessings ICM started in Orissa , India in 2006.  Through a Child Welfare official from India who was visiting the Family Connections Christian Adoptions office, we learned of destitute children in the remote, high mountain villages of Orissa.  They have no electricity or running water and there is a great scarcity of food.  A dedicated social worker has been devoting his life to helping the villagers and bringing hope to the children struggling in extreme poverty.  After looking into the situation, we made the decision to begin a sponsorship program for the children there.

In June of 2007, Shaila Rao, manager of the Orissa program, traveled to India to visit her family and while there, made the arduous journey up into the mountains to meet the children being sponsored.   She was encouraged to see that the money we sent has already improved the health and living standards of the 16 children in the program at the time of her visit. See the pictures of Shaila’s contact with the tribal people and read her stirring account of what she learned about life in the remote villages.