Many special needs individuals experience a difficult life in India: stigmas and poverty drive parents to abandon their children at a young age – even as an infant – fearing the inability to support their children, among other concerns.

Sarah’s Covenant Homes is a nonprofit child care organization in India that actively responds to and prevents the abandonment of children with disabilities by providing holistic care in family-style homes. The organization has seven homes spread throughout two cities: Ongole and Hyderabad and cares for more than 130 children and young adults.

SCH brings children into its care from the government orphanages where they are placed after abandonment and works to either rebuild a relationship and opportunity for the family to care for the child or to find permanent adoption solutions. In some cases, the child remains with SCH on a long-term basis.

“For our children and young adults who do not have the opportunity to be reunited or adopted, we are committed to caring for them for the rest of their lives,” Lydia said. “We believe in covenant. In the promise of forever. In the sacred vow, we make to love our children and young adults for each day of their lives, to the best our ability, as they completely deserve.”

As these children in long-term care turn into adults, SCH provides them with vocational opportunities where they are able to make jewelry, crafts and handmade goods, Lydia said. Through local and international business partnerships, these items are sold and turn into revenue that helps offset SCH’s operation costs.

“More than that, our programs for our young adults encourage their independence and foster a sense of self-determination, autonomy, and confidence while also supporting them in the pursuit of their dreams,” Lydia said. “We hope to walk alongside every child and adult in our care as they construct a life and a future that is filled with all that they love and all the wonderful ways they powerfully impact the world around them.”

Since SCH specializes in serving people with special needs, many remain in diapers for a lifetime. Jake’s Diapers is able to use funding from its supporters to supply custom diapers needed to care for these individuals.

Please consider a donation to support an abandoned child in need. Just $18 can supply the diaper need for one child for a month.