16-year-old Priti is determined to complete her education. Living in Mumbai India, she comes from a family living in poverty, so her parents had other plans for her.
Out of desperation, Priti’s parents wished to marry off their teenage daughter for money.
Girls married before they turn 18 are at a high risk of exposure to violence, exploitation and abuse. Child marriage negatively impacts their rights to education, health and protection. It ends childhood.
Marriage would end Priti’s education, and her childhood.
Global Mission Partners’ (GMP) Relief and Development partner, Hosanna Ministries, works with vulnerable children in the slums of Mumbai, through the Prakash Tekadi Project. Our partners Danny and Smita from Hosanna Ministries are familiar with the challenges and problems associated with child marriage. They advocate for children like Priti.
When hearing about her planned marriage, Smita advocated for Priti’s right to an education. Smita talked to Priti’s mother and convinced her that education was important and not to marry Priti off so soon.
One moment changed Priti’s life forever.
According to UNICEF, each year in India an estimated 1.5 million girls under 18 get married. Now, Priti will not be one of them.
But this wouldn’t be possible without the help of people like you.
“The Emmanuel Education Centre provides a nutritious daily for children like Priti, and women and youth can access literacy programs and vocational training”
You can pledge to continue the work of organisations like Hosanna Ministries. Your One Pledge can help girls that are vulnerable to child marriage by improving their health and nutrition, supporting the transition from primary to secondary school, and helping girls to develop skills to realise their economic potential.
Through the Emmanuel Education Centre, a nutritious meal is provided daily for children like Priti, and women and youth can access literacy programs and vocational training. Priti says, “I am very grateful to my teachers who have helped me every day to complete my study.”
It’s not just Priti who’s life can be changed through One Pledge.
Your One Pledge of just $39 a month will help empower local leaders to be change agents in their communities. You’ll help empower people to break the cycles of poverty that harm their neighbourhoods. You’ll stand alongside Australian Indigenous Christians to support their ministries. You will help grow international church communities and share the good news of Jesus around the world.
All of this in One Pledge.
Now, Priti is confident about her future. She completed her matriculation examination and was accepted for an apprenticeship with a good company. This is a two-year skills training program after which she will get a job in the same company.
Your One Pledge will bring life-changing transformation to people like Priti.
Make your pledge today, and enable someone to have their life changed.
Find out more about how the work of GMP helps people like Priti around the world.
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