Recently I interacted with our first-ever graduating class students.

I asked, “What are your dreams for the future?” Some students instantly raised their hands and said they wanted to become doctors. A few wanted to become engineers, pilots, and more. They wanted to pursue professions which are lucrative. What a change! Some of these children would have become sweepers or maidservants in elite Indian homes if they had not been given the opportunity to study in our English medium schools. To me this is the true yardstick of the transformational work we are involved in. These children, equipped with the power of knowledge and character, will bring about formidable change in their families and communities. The 13,500 students in our schools and those who will join us in the years to come will dream big -- and their parents and communities will see a brighter flame of hope.

For just $35 per month you can make a difference in the life of a child attending a Dalit Education Centre. This money will cover the total costs involved in their education and enable them to receive the education that has previously been denied them. $35 per month covers the cost of school fees, books, uniforms, teacher’s salaries, administrative costs and a healthy midday meal.

Each partner supporting a Dalit child’s education will receive a photograph and background information about their child and the school attended. They will also receive two reports per year on the progress of their child. Sponsors will receive a handwritten letter from their sponsored child each year and sponsors will be encouraged to write to their sponsored child and enjoy sharing in his or her life’s journey.

Note: Gifts over $2 to the OM Overseas Aid Fund are tax-deductable.  

OM Relief and Development is the relief arm of the organisation OM Australia. We are committed to providing tangible aid and ministering to people in need.

Founded in 1957, OM (Operation Mobilisation) pioneers and leads initiatives to redeem lives, rebuild communities and restore hope in over 120 countries. OM now has more than 4000 workers from over 100 countries serving around the world. This global vision is expanded by the international ministry of OM’s three ships. OM’s aim is to transform lives and communities through the Christian message and operates in partnership with local churches and agencies.

A Holistic Approach

We believe the Christian message addresses physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Our work is therefore ‘holistic’ in character and brings hope for today as well as for the future.

OM Australia

OM Australia is the national branch of OM. We seek to expand the mission vision of the local church by assisting Christians to get involved in missions at a partnership level and any way possible. We recruit, equip and send God's people, in partnership with the church, to share the love of Jesus with the world. We are involved in church planting, discipling, literature distribution, major literature projects and aid and development.

OMCC

Our coworker in the Education Partnership programme is Operation Mercy Charitable Company (OMCC) which is a registered charity in India and has over 2000 full time staff.

In 2001 representatives from OMCC and the All India Christian Council (AICC) met with leaders from the Dalit community. In response to the cry for help from the Dalit leaders to provide education for their children. AICC members pledged to provide 1000 schools for Dalit children throughout India.

Our Pledge

OMCC has pledged to provide 100 of these schools and the transformation has already begun. At present we have 67 schools up and running and our priority is to ensure each child who starts school can complete their education, four of which have been directly funded by OM Australia.

The Dalits of India have been the oppressed majority for more than three thousand years of India's history. This oppression is rooted in the caste system - an integral part of Indian society. In 2001 a rally was held in Delhi by the Dalit people which (despite fierce opposition) was attended by an estimated 100,000 people. During this rally the Dalit leaders invited world leaders to empower them through education to break the bonds of oppression.

OM Relief and Development in partnership with OMCC is committed to making a genuine difference through building schools across India exclusively for Dalit use and by financially subsidising school fees, books and uniforms.

You too can make a difference by partnering with us as we bring freedom and lasting change.