Packaging fireworks is one way some unsighted people earn their living in India.  But only a few are able to get a job with a manufacturer.

Poor blind people use any means to subsist. One means is  selling lottery tickets on the streets, frequently being cheated or robbed.

Mission To The Blind teaches blind women how to make envelopes which they sell to doctors and small businesses that want to help.

A water tank to sell drinking water to passers is another way MTB helps some people become self-employed, but they cost about $175 each.

A bathroom scale, for convenience in the USA, is for this blind man in India his only means of income. Sitting street-side with his weigh scale, he usually earns enough to eat each day.  The  cost of scales given by MTB - about $11.

With no eyesight, but only the touch of her sensitive fingers, this woman weaves a new bottom into the chair.  It is called 'caning' and is another way blind people with this skill earn their meager income. 

Come meet a special housewife

Malliga is a totally blind married lady from the southern part of India.  Her husband is a full time Christian worker.  She contracted small pox at age three, followed by brain fever and blindness.  She was able to enter school for blind people when six.

Many years later in 1997, Malliga met David, also blind but with perception of light.  It was 'love at first sight' she laughs.  In 2002 they married and Malliga assumed her role of independent housewife.

At 4:30 a.m. Malliga and David begin their day with a prayer time together.  Then she does the cooking, gives him his breakfast and packs his lunch.  It will be late at night when David returns from his work, but there is much to be done before then.

In order to fill her stove with kerosene, she uses a funnel, then carefully feels for any spilled fuel.

To boil milk, Malliga has in mind the time it usually takes.  And, she listens for the hissing sound to begin.

Rice, their staple food, may have stones or grain worms in it.  She feels through it to remove any worms, then puts it in water so she can remove the stones that will sink to the bottom.  Being

blind doesn't prevent her from preparing chopped onions and carrots, fish and meat, egg omelettes, fried rice, and Indian dishes of sambar, biriyani, idli, puri and chappati, a very tasty wafer-like bread.

Can she go to the market to shop?  Yes, she can!  She sweeps and mops her floors daily.  She 'collects' her water by going to the common well and bringing it home in a water pot as was done in Jesus' time.  She washes clothes in a tub or beside a stream, hangs them to dry, then irons them.  About the only thing she needs someone to do for her is get down the cobwebs occasionally, because she doesn't know where they are.

The world around Malliga is dark to her sightless eyes.  But inside is the Light of the World, Jesus.  The walls of her kitchen are sparse.  The walls of her heart glow with the truths she gathers each afternoon from her Braille copy of God's Word.

Needs and opportunities in Mission To The Blind

White canes with red tops help blind people navigate, and let sighted people realize the user is blind.  Ten cost about $22.

Medical camps to help the poor blind (service of doctors and nurses is rendered free).    Average cost about $105 each.

Resale articles bought at wholesale and given to needy blind people to resell on the street for small profit.    Five for $37.

Weighing scale (see above) given to qualifying blind people with which they earn by letting people weigh.  Five for $55.

Telephone booth setup for a blind person to earn by letting people make calls for a small charge.            Cost $315 ea.

Motorbikes (3) for missionary transportation into remote areas.  Some missionaries are blind.  Those who see can be assigned differently and need transportation. Cost $835 ea.

Mobile water tank for blind person to earn by charging thirsty passers a small amount to drink.                  Cost $175 ea.

Braille manual typewriter (need 2)      $375 each.             Regular manual typewriter (need 5)      $210 each.

One missionary average monthly salary/support.         $105.

School uniforms and tuition for the children of blind staff families (given once a year).      Average $200 each family.

Home from Blind Young Women.  This home is in operation but the building is being owner-financed.  The girls are being discipled as they are trained in clerical or other work skills to become self-supporting.  When saved and trained they are assisted in becoming independent            .$38,000 needed.

Mission To The Blind currently has 65 full time missionaries and staff operating from 26 mission stations in 9 states and 9 different language groups.  In 2004 about 19,000 blind people were worked with, many of whom decided to accept and follow Jesus. Aid and discipling was given to lots more.

During the Christmas programs alone, 315 blind people came to Jesus for salvation.

Among the goals for 2005 is the addition of 10 new workers to go into yet unreached areas.  Please join with Reaching Out to have a part in the harvest fields of India. 

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