About Us

The mission was founded in 1948 by Rev Maxton D Strong and his wife Shirley. It is basically a farm home for orphans or children of destitute families, including a school and other ministries. Rev. Strong died in April 2003 and in April 2004 his daughter and her husband, Maxine and Rick Shipway arrived from Australia, along with their son Clifton to take over the work. In August 2010 Maxine Shipway passed away and now the work is being carried on by her husband and son.

The mission is largely run on a communal basis with many of the staff working as volunteers, without pay but the mission helps to meet their needs. There are also workers who do work for a salary, though it is very minimal. The whole "family" consists of about 220 people.

There are about 120 orphan children below the age of 18. Their ages range from newborn to adolescent. Most of the children come from beggar and leper families, though none of the children themselves have leprosy. They were brought here to save them from such a fate. By the time they leave here they are usually able to obtain a decent job far above the standard from which they came. Some of the "graduates" from the mission are now married with families of their own and work on the mission helping to care for the younger ones.

There is a small 'Leper Colony' located on the mission where a few disabled and helpless people can find some refuge and care. These people suffer from the terribly debilitating disease leprosy.

The mission and school are managed basically in the English language, though everyone speaks Hindi as well. Being able to speak and write in English is a real asset for the young people to have and gives them a much better chance in life. At present the school is not government accredited, but we are currently working towards it. About 20 of our children are also enrolled in Grade 10-12 through a correspondence course. Apart from studies the children have opportunities to learn various practical skills, such as carpentry, tractor driving, electrical work, farming, gardening, sewing, cooking, child care and general house work, equipping them for the future. Most of these skills are gained through daily chores, but others are optional and the children endeavour into them at their own choice.

There is a dairy for milk, pigs for meat and we grow wheat, rice, dhal, vegetables and fruit, to try and help keep everyone decently fed and costs down... but there are still many things that have to be purchased from the local market such as sugar, tea, spices as well as many other things.

The mission receives no government assistance and is primarily funded through donations from friends of the Shipway family.