Ruthamma is a young woman who lived in an unbearable situation before she came to the Phoebe Home for Girls. She grew up in a poor Hindu family in Raichur, about 250 miles north of Bangalore. Her parents worked as day laborers. At some point Ruthamma’s mother heard the Gospel message and came to Christ. She also led the children to the Lord. This made Ruthamma’s father very angry, and he began to beat her mother. Her father’s family even attempted to use witchcraft against the children and their mother. More »
- Richard Samuel
- Ministries
Phoebe Home for Girls
The Phoebe Home provides a living environment and vocational training for teenage girls, many of whom come from troubled family backgrounds.
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.” (Romans 16:1-2)
It is interesting that the only reference to Phoebe in the New Testament urges the readers to receive her in a way worthy of those belonging to Jesus and to give her any help she needs. This command by Paul to the Roman Christians perhaps best sums up the goal of the ministry of the Phoebe Home for Girls.
These girls, mostly teenagers, come from deep poverty and almost always very difficult family situations. In fact the average girl in the Phoebe Home has endured more hardship in her 15 years or so of life than you and I ever will. The story of how each girl found her way to the Phoebe Home is a miracle in itself. Every girl has a thrilling story of divine Providence protecting her and guiding her to the Home.
Phoebe Home for Girls 2
This video provides a compelling update of the Phoebe Home including testimonies from the girls.
The Facility
The facility for the Home is currently a rented 2 level flat with a living area, a kitchen and 6 sleeping rooms where the 30 girls sleep on their mats on the concrete floor. Such living conditions sound pretty sparse to Westerners, but these girls are full of joy and gratitude for the opportunity they have been given. Compared to the squalor of the city slums or a village hut where there is little food or means of support, the food, shelter and nurturing they receive in the Phoebe Home is a cause for genuine thankfulness in their hearts. Read some of their testimonies to learn what a difference the Home makes in the lives of these girls.
Training
While they reside in the Home, the girls attend either the Sewing Program or the Phoebe Computer Training Centre, depending on their level of education when they arrive at the Phoebe Home. In the Phoebe Computer Training Centre they learn skills that enable them to find jobs in banks or other businesses. Having the training necessary for a job like that is literally a gift from God for these girls. They are able to earn a living for themselves and their families because often they will be able to support their parents and siblings.
The girls
come from diverse backgrounds, and virtually all of them have a
redemption story to tell. Their training and experience at the Phoebe
Home transforms their lives, and often the lives of their families,
forever.
Partner with Us
The ministry of the Phoebe Home literally changes not only the girl’s life and eternal destiny but often the lives and destinies of her family members as well. And all of this ministry can happen for only $35 per girl per month! To sponsor a girl while she lives in the Phoebe Home and attends the Phoebe Computer Training Center, please click here.
UPDATES FROM THE FIELD
Good News Helps; Bad News Still Hurts
The good news is that food prices in India aren’t going up as fast as they were a few weeks ago.
The bad news is prices of vegetables have skyrocketed in the past year, putting pressure on those living on the edge of survival and on those working to help them - including Fishhook’s ministry partners.
Even though news reports say food inflation is easing because the published weekly rate fell from over 18% to 15.5 $, the reality is that prices of many basic foods are dramatically higher then they were just a few months ago. More »
