india — The Pleated Poppy

international women’s day with sister india

March 6, 2015

just over 3 years ago, sean and i traveled to northern india to visit the ministry that our church supports there, called Empart. the main focus of that ministry is to spread the gospel and plant 100,000 churches in northern india. but in that process of spreading the gospel, they are also creating children’s homes and sewing centers.

i was especially passionate about learning more about the sewing centers, and was so blessed when we were able to visit one! these sewing centers help to give women hope: they are trained with a skill to tailor clothes , and graduate with the ability to generate an income and gain dignity and status in their community, something these women would never have otherwise.

Sister India is another foundation that gives hope to women in India. they provide these women with an education that helps to break the cycle of poverty in their families. when i was approached again about this project with Sister India, i knew i wanted to be involved this year. the following story told below is by Sister India founder, Charlotte:

I don’t know her yet, but I love her.

After 10 months of peeing on sticks to no avail, in November I saw the tiny double line I’d been longing for. I soon learned Baby likes pancakes and Dad shows his love by coming home with 8 kinds of crackers to keep the nausea at bay. And in the grab bag of first trimester surprises, something unexpected happened.

Baby was still the size of an olive and we had months to go before learning our little creature’s gender. I was watching a documentary I’d already seen twice— about the dangers girls face all over the world. And three quarters of the way through, I lost it. I ugly-cried in a way I’ve never done so abruptly.

All it took was one thought: “It’s a terrifying thing to bring a girl into this world.”

Terrifying to love a treasure so full of promise in a world that’s primed to break her spirit and beat her body.

As the 8 inch baby girl inside me grows, I can’t wait to meet her, to celebrate her. And more than ever, I’m passionate about creating a world that prizes her innocence, creativity, compassion and dreams.

In honor of International Women’s Day, here’s one way we can celebrate and protect the daughters of the world…

14 million girls were child brides last year.

Childbirth is the leading cause of death of girls aged 15-19.

70 million girls aged 6-12 do not attend school, often because they are forced to provide for their families.

50 million girls are missing in India— that’s as if every girl in America were to disappear.

47% of all girls in India are married as children

India is home to more illiterate moms than any other nation. They are strong-armed into aborting their girls, selling them or sending them to work in order for the family to survive.

When we educate a mom, we break the cycle of poverty and abuse for generations! We give her the power to give her daughters the safety and opportunity that she’s always been denied.

One amazing way we can help is by sponsoring a student through Sister India. Just $30 sends an illiterate woman to school for an entire year— where she’ll learn reading, writing, math, business skills, family health and how to make right choices for her children.

After one year 80% of students graduate with a 5th grade level of reading, writing and math! Before the class only 59% of students oppose child marriage, and by the end 95% oppose it! And by the end of the class 96% of students send their sons and daughters to school.

This literacy program, taught by caring, Indian Christian volunteers has already educated over 500,000 students in the last 30 years. Just $5,000 more would complete the funding for this year’s classes in Delhi and Haryana— two of the most dangerous regions to be a woman.

By skipping out on 1 blouse or one shellac mani, you can transform an entire family in India. You can stand with your sister in India and give her something others said she wasn’t worthy of: an education.

A world without girls is utterly incomplete. Let’s celebrate everything we love about them— their laughter, their ideas, their heart— by creating a safer world for girls everywhere! Please be a voice for girls by sharing this post with the hashtag #letgirlsbe.

Learn more about Sister India // Watch the Sister India Trailer // email me: charlotte.sanchez@sisterindia.org

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Filed Under: india

tomorrow is International Women’s Day – let’s speak up for these women!

March 7, 2014

just over 2 years ago, sean and i traveled to india to visit the ministry that our church supports there, called Empart. the main focus of that ministry is to spread the gospel and plant 100,000 churches in northern india. but in that process of spreading the gospel, they are also creating children’s homes and sewing centers.

when i heard about this project with Sister India, i knew i wanted to be involved somehow. listen to their story, as told below by Sister India founder Charlotte:

Have you ever felt invisible?

Maybe you’re the alarm-snoozer like me, rushing out of the house in a bland, rumpled ensemble and a bumpy ponytail. Or maybe you’ve been stuck at home cleaning up after the kids for too many days in a row. Whatever it was, chances are you’ve felt invisible at least once. And it’s no fun.

I want to tell you about a chance to rescue women from invisibility.

This year I learned about millions of women in India who are ignored and abused by a culture that denies their worth. I learned about Kajani trying to light herself on fire, Kimaya and the physical abuse she faces for seeking education and sweet Rosmita, a grandmother who’s never once felt loved or worth it. A team of dear friends and I started Sister India to lend our voices to rescue them from their abuse through education. This video paints a picture of her world, with shocking facts I didn’t learn until this year:

This Saturday, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. If you’re inspired to take action for these women, here are 3 small things that will make a huge difference:

Share this video to end her silence. Lend your voice and encourage your friends to do the same. Click share on the embedded video post above.

Give her an education for only $30. At Sister India, we are combating the abuse of women and girls by giving them the gift of education— a gift withheld from over 300 million Indians, who can’t read or write, even their own names. Educating a woman in reading, writing, math, health, business and Bible values only costs $30 because we work with an organization that raises up Indian Christian volunteers. $30 to transform a family for generations! Craziness. Right now all donations are being matched by an investor, so if you give $30, you’re giving education to 2 illiterate Indians! Click here.

Create a Fundraising Page this week to spread awareness and give your friends a chance to help too. Because there’s a donation match on right now, just $150 will give education to 10 people! If 10 friends give $15 you will change 10 families, preventing generations of violence! Click here.

Thanks for listening! Because of you, she is one step closer to freedom =)

To learn more about Sister India visit SisterIndia.Org.

To connect with others who care, like us: facebook.com/IndiaSisterhood.

Want to talk to someone about how this moved you, or want to ask questions? Email: charlotte.sanchez@sisterindia.org

as a thank you for helping us spread the word (or maybe a little motivation to do so), we have an amazing giveaway below!