Tender Heart - Francis and Alison

Francis and Alison moved to South West India in August 2007 to help the untouchables of Indian Hindu society, the Dalit people, the poorest of the poor.

To transform lives by presenting them with Gods love through His Word and His Deeds. They have named their charity Tender Heart.

Click on the picture on the left to download and play a video describing the work of Tender Heart (28mb). See below for recent newsletters:

May 2010 - "God is our refuge and strength " (NEW)

February 2010 - " Thank you"

January 2010 - " new micro enterprise activities commence"

December 2009 News - "Helping the Dalit people with education"

July/August 2009 News - "Exciting news of what God is doing"

May 2009 News - "Daughter Abigail - born 13th May 2009"

March 2009 News - "Thank you for bringing smiles into our lives"

November 2008 News - "If the Son makes you free ..."

September 2008 News - "New Tailoring School"

Many Dalit girls are sold into prostitution.

It is not sufficient to tell young women that going into prostitution is wrong, they need to see an alternative and some way of gaining dignity and of earning a living. Stepping Stone is one answer. Francis and Alison have opened two tailoring training schools for women and hope to open a third.

Up to 17 women at a time attend a 6 month course where they learn how to do tailoring work . The course is free and the sewing machines are provided.

When they graduate the girls are able to earn a reasonable living. The girls are not forced to adopt Christianity - but there is a short Bible story and prayer at each lesson - and many find a faith in Jesus.

With the help of AMEN Micro Enterprise Scheme Donations, Francis and Alison have been able to set up a business enterprise scheme where the girls are provided with a sewing machine and equipment so that they can run their own small businesses. This equipment is a loan and the girls pay off this loan at an agreed monthly rate from their earnings. The money raised can then be reinvested in other tailoring graduates. Click here for pictures of the launch of the scheme

But the most urgent request from all the Dalit parents is for people to give help to their children- so that they will be educated and will not have to put up with the difficulties that they and their ancestors have had to put up with for generations.

HOPE Children's clubs provide an answer - a place where children can learn to play, have help with learning English, have help with homework, and generally be encouraged. They also learn about the God.

Other children are helped back to school by providing them with school bags, notebooks, uniforms, lunch boxes, and so on. The children are always encouraged to give thanks to God for all blessings they receive. Through donations from AMEN over 100 children have been kitted out for school this year. Click here for details . Through the AMEN Gift Catalogue AMEN has been blessed with further donations for the "Back to School" activities - we thank everyone for their support.

Through the help of AMEN, Cliffe Mission, and King's Church in the Wirral, Francis and Alison have been able to open their first Day Centre to provide help to parents and preschool education to very young children. Click here for details

Dalit men and women also have a desire to learn skills and, at this time, learning computer skills can be an opening to a good job.

So a small training school has been set up with support of AMEN.

This opened very successfully on 7th April and already has many students taking advantage of the facilities. The training has been extended to teach English - the students need it to understand the computer and it helps them in other ways as well.

Giving specific training to help the Dalit people to get jobs is both a way of helping the physical needs but also gives opportunities to show the gospel at work.

We at AMEN are excited by what God is doing through Francis and Alison and their team to reach out to the poor with the love of God. Please pray for this work which is giving so many people hope.

How you can help ...

We would very much appreciate all help you can give to the work of AMEN and our partners - your prayers, a visit, and donations..

	If you are able to make a regular monthly donation that would be wonderful and would help us to plan ahead. Click on the picture on the left to set up a standing order with your bank using a paper form or online using Worldpay.
	If you would prefer to make a one-off donation then that would also be much appreciated - please click on the picture on the left and either arrange to send us a cheque or you can give online using Worldpay

Thank you for your generosity.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Even if you are a UK tax payer you can only claim gift aid if you pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax that we reclaim on your donations in the tax year (28% of your gift).

If you have any questions about making a gift to AMEN or want to enquire about ways in which you can help please E Mail us via janet@amentrust.co.uk .

Please note that AMEN can be contacted by

E mail: janet@amentrust.co.uk Telephone: +44(0)1322 226148

Post: 79 North Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 3ND, United Kingdom