WIDOWS

IN

INDIA
The Living Dead!

Grace to Naomi
A Life-giving And Transforming Ministry to the Widows of India!

INDIA A Land of Billion people!

A cauldron of cultures, castes, creeds, colors and racial wars!

General Information about India

Official Name: Capital: Population: Urban Population: Scheduled Castes: Scheduled Tribes: Villages Inhabited: Area: Coastline Length: Languages: Major Religions: Literacy: National Animal National Bird: National Flower: National Tree: National Fruit: National Currency: National Sport: Bha-rath (Hindi), Republic of India (English) New Delhi 1, 027, 015, 247 (2001 Census) 27.82% Rural Population: 72.18% 16.19% 6.59% 593,616 3.3 million square kilometers 7600 km India has two National languages English and Hindi also officially recognized 22 regional languages. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism 65.38% Tiger Peacock Lotus Banyan Mango Rupee (One Rupee=100 paise) Hockey

Andhra Pradesh The Rice Bowl of India

Founded: Capital: Principal Language: Area: Districts: Mandals: Villages: Population: Male: Female: Urban dwelling: Villages dwelling: Literacy: Rivers:

1st November, 1953 Hyderabad Telugu 276,754 Kilometers 23 1093 29,379 76.2 Million (7.41% of India population) 38.5 Million 37.7 Million 27.8% 72.92% 61.11% Men70.85%; Women-51.87% 38

The Plight of Indian Widows

Widowhood is not a comfortable state of life in India its more a living death! Deprivation and starvation often plague many a widow. Indian society is dominated by religious superstitions and cultural practices wherein a widow is deemed as a bad omen and forced to live a lonely and depressed life. Auspicious occasions are called off when a widow is found nearby. Remarriage, literacy and acceptance are very rare for widows

More often than not, a widows health is affected due to malnutrition, poverty and lack of medical help. Another depressing factor is the churches are lacking genuine concern

Widowhood : The most neglected issue in India!

7% of widows are living alone. With the kind of social culture India lives in, there is a stronger need for the church of Jesus Christ to care, comfort and cater to the needs of believing widows.

A Biblical Perspective:
The Bible gives strong exhortation to consider widows.

Religion that God accepts: Caring for widows in their trouble!

General Statistics on Widows in India

34 million widows all over India 8% of the total female population are widows 50% of the female population are over the age of 50 In terms of prevalence of widowhood, India ranks highest in the world Of existing widows 64% are aged 60 and above, out of which 80% are aged 70 and above In contrast, only 2.5 per cent of Indian men are widowers At 60 years and above, 93% and 68% of widows are illiterate in rural and urban areas respectively Majority of widows live in rural villages

General Statistics Continued

Deprivations causing mortality for widows is 85% higher amongst widows than married women. About 25% of widows are working outside home (1% as professionals, 5% in clerical jobs & housekeeping) 20% are working as agricultural laborers. About 25% of them are 60 years & above.

Biblical Principles for Supporting Widows Living alone with no support Living a godly life Steadfast in prayer, intercession and hopes in the Lord Not given to worldly lifestyle Not less than 60 years of age Hospitable and having a good report
I Timothy 5:3-11

Number of Widows and Cost

Founded on Biblical Principles,

Grace to Naomi helps each widow with a

consistent monthly support of $15 which provides food, clothing and medicines. Presently, 35 widows in our village churches are blessed through Grace to Naomi! 220 more need your support!

Grace to Naomi
NATIVE churches followed the pattern in Acts 6 to support a few widows but when the womens ministry multiplied through GSCW - Grace Sathuluri Conference for Women, the number of widows grew.

Grace to Naomi
Assists and establishes widows in their new found faith!
Gods Grace was operational in the life of widowed Naomi. This grace transformed the pagan Ruth, too! Similarly, Grace to Naomi helps Christian widows experience the grace of God for their daily needs and training them to be godly witnesses to their families and neighbors

Some Widows helped by NATIVE

Saro-jini, Ven-ka-tam Pet village Ba-ttha-la Kot-ta-mma, U-lava Padu village M. Odamma, Para-kala village

L. Nar-sa-mma, Peda Ho-thuru village

K. Manga, Kun-ku-du-milli village

Anan-da-mma, Vala Gonda village

K. Bon-da-mma, Muddu-no-ru village

T. Martha-mma, Ghanta-sala Pa-lem village

Mandi-konda Nar-samma, Peda Kode Paka village

Now heres what you can do!

Support a Widow in India:

Prayerfully & Financially

NATIVE E-mail: edgarsathuluri@yahoo.com www.nativeministries.net

Global Ministries Foundation P.O.Box:1150 Cordova, TN 38018 - 1150 901.684.5556 www.GlobalMinistriesFoundation.com