Who are the people?
Located in South Asia on the Indian subcontinent, India is the second most populous nation in the world. Proud of its ability to maintain unity amid diversity, this country is home to more than 300 tribes speaking some 1,600 languages and dialects. While the official language is Hindi, English is dominant in the courts and government.

Today India ranks among the top 10 industrial nations in the world. Yet because its population is growing as fast as the economy, the Indian people have one of the world's lowest per-capita incomes.

Approximately 70 percent of Indians depend on agriculture to earn a living, but drought or a poor harvest can lead farmers from home in search of other opportunities.

India also suffers from a low rate of literacy—especially among its female population. Approximately one in three adult females in India is literate, and only 40 percent of secondary school-age girls are enrolled in formal education.

If your sponsored child is a boy, he may continue to live with his parents after he gets married. Girls, however, go to live with their husbands’ families. By law, women cannot wed until they are 21, but in rural communities marriages are often arranged while the children are quite young.
Located in South Asia on the Indian subcontinent, India is the second most populous nation in the w

Country Comparison	India	United States
Population	1.08 billion	295.4 million
Land Mass	1,147,955 sq. miles	3,537,439 sq. miles
Life Expectancy	64 years	78 years
Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000)	62	7
Literacy Rate	61%	97%
Primary School Enrollment	77%	92%
Access to Safe Water	86%	100%
Average Annual Income (GNI per capita)	$620	$41,400

Religion

What is it like to live there?
The Himalayas, the tallest mountains in the world, run along India’s northern border. Fertile plains cover most of the northern region of the country, while a rolling plateau covers the southern peninsula.

During the summer months, March through May, temperatures in central India commonly reach 125 degrees. Heavy rains follow from June to September, and in October the weather turns cool and dry with the northeastern monsoon. Usually this is the most pleasant time of the year. However, when the monsoon fails to bring rain, India faces drought, sometimes accompanied by undernourishment that can lead to the starvation of its people.

Some of World Vision’s most important work in India concerns the status of female children. Although the effects of poverty in India are widespread, girls often suffer the most. Traditionally the father gets first choice of the food, then his sons. The leftovers go to his wife and daughters.

Girls often miss out on education, immunizations, health care, and other benefits. If your sponsored child is a girl, be assured that World Vision is providing her with the same life-changing benefits that sponsored boys receive.
The Himalayas, the tallest mountains in the world, run along India’s northern border. Fertile plai
India Projects
With the support of generous donors like you, World Vision is partnering with families throughout India to build brighter futures filled with hope for their children.

Many activities are under way to help meet immediate needs and promote lasting changes that will strengthen communities and move families toward self-reliance.

Overall program goals include:

• Providing uniforms and school supplies so children will be allowed to go to school.
• Boosting school attendance by providing educational facilities.
• Improving the living conditions of families by supplying building materials for the construction of safe housing.
• Reducing the risk of waterborne diseases by constructing new wells that will make safe, clean drinking water more accessible to children and their families.
• Conducting health check-ups for children.
• Organizing workshops to teach families about hygiene, nutrition, AIDS, and other important health issues.
• Training farmers in agricultural skills that will help them grow more nutritious foods for their families.

• Pray that your sponsored child might respond to God’s love and grace.
• Ask God to guide your sponsored child as he or she learns, grows, and moves toward a future full of hope and possibilities.
• Pray for God to protect the health of your sponsored child and his or her family.

Please click here to peruse online picture folders of children from this country.