Jehu Limma, founder of HopeGiving Foundation, shares his remarkable journey from “untouchable” to helping children out of poverty

I was born into a Dalit family in Odisha, India. According to the Indian caste system, the Dalits are the lowest and most despised people in our society. We are considered “untouchable”. Growing up, we were very poor and my parents were illiterate. Although they claimed to be Christians, they did not parent me with love and grace. But when I encountered Christ for myself, he changed everything.

Life in poverty

Growing up, I experienced real poverty. We even struggled to get daily meals. Since my parents were illiterate, my father took on simple tailoring jobs to take care of us, working many hours. I also vividly remember how my mother did laundry and dishwashing in exchange for leftover food. As a family, we took whatever work we could to survive. This was a real struggle. 

We had no electricity, only a lantern and candles. We didn’t even have proper doors… (Register to read the rest of the article)