ONE PURPOSE. ONE PASSION. ONE MISSION…RESCUE THE CHILDREN!

Meet the Founders of Missions For Orphans

Gene and Arlene Rumley – Founders are dedicated to making a difference in the suffering lives of orphans and street children throughout India. Their vision is to help the “poorest of the poor”, the “pure orphans”, that have lost both parents and family. Their heart’s cry out to God for the children who are often called “the invisible ones.” 

The story behind Gene and Arlene Rumley starting Mission For Orphans

While on a business trip to India in the year 2000, a vivid memory was implanted in Gene Rumley’s mind that will remain forever. He caught a glimpse of a starving teenager living on the streets of Kochin, India, and later that day, he watched several young children pillage through a trash dump for scraps of food. Looking into the eyes of two little children, he witnessed their pain and hopelessness.

Gene learned about a baby girl that had been abandoned on the doorstep of the home where he stayed. This was a common practice for mothers who didn’t have money to feed their children. The local newspaper carried a story about a father, mother, and their five children who committed suicide because of failed crops.

Gene and Arlene agreed that they had to do something to help these precious, abandoned, and neglected street children. They kept the vision in their hearts with prayer, talked about the mission, and shared the vision with people they trusted.

Gene and Arlene walked through the demoralizing slums of Kolkata where Mother Teresa ministered to the poorest of the poor. Their heart ached for the children and families living under tarps; small sticks holding up tin roofs. Rusty pots were used to boil water or cook rice on an open fire. Even in the midst of all the misery, their spirits were always lifted up when they saw the smiles and looked into the big, beautiful eyes of even the youngest child. 

Their new assignment was to bring a light of hope by also encouraging the volunteers and workers feeding the poor. They witnessed how simple acts of kindness changed lives. Gene and Arlene have been privileged to work alongside Indian leaders and teams in the slums of Mumbai, Kolkata, and orphanages in Kerala, Goa, and Northern India. They saw thousands of children being fed, educated, given medical help, and encouraged to rise up from poverty. 

By faith, they opened a bank account in 2004 with $50 dollars and a vision from God; One Purpose – One Passion – One Mission: “Rescue the Children.” Every abandoned child deserves a better future and hope. 

WHY India? India has the highest number of orphans in the world!

INDIA HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF STREET KIDS IN THE WORLD… OVER 18 MILLION!

Girls and young women on the streets are the main targets of immoral trafficking, making up 76% of human trafficking cases nationwide over a decade. (National Crime Records Bureau)

Human trafficking is the third-largest source of profit for organized crime, after arms and drug trafficking, involving billions of dollars annually worldwide. (UN Records)

POVERTY VILLAGES – OVER 600,000

INDIA CENSUS SAYS 70 PERCENT LIVE IN VILLAGES

Poverty villages are very poor rural areas across India. Bihar, with a population of 100 million people is India’s poorest state.  Average income is $294 per year. Maternal mortality rates remain high, with far too many women dying during childbirth. And more than half of children under 3 suffer from malnutrition. 

Poverty is a social phenomenon in which a section of the society (many in poverty villages) is unable to fulfill even its bare necessities of life.

Thousands of girls, largely from poor famlies are abandoned and orphanged, are forced to wander the streets, work in brothels, or live in shelters. Many are lured or abducted by traffickers every year and sold to pimps and brothels whom force them into sexual slavery.  These very young girls (children) are being forced into prostitution and are hidden away.  This happens in major and rural areas of India. 

Please begin this new journey with us as we continue to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.

So many nights we wonder, “where will they sleep tonight?”  Can we even imagine what it would like sleeping on the hard pavement in the dark, in garbage dumps, alone and being afraid of anyone coming near us?  TENDER HEART VILLAGE/HOME will be a beginning of a new, hope-filled life. 

Many will die today! That’s why God has placed on our hearts to reach out and develop a special home that will initially open with 20 girls — innocent girls whom can be saved with your Mission for Orphans partnership.

A very warm, “Thank You!,” to our present partners who have been rescuing and changing thousands of children’s lives! It would not have been and is not possible without you. We can do this together and welcome all those who desire to step out and see this vision realized too.  God bless and keep you all.

“He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.”  (Psalm 136:25 NIV)

Subsequently, an award-winning documentary, “My Name is Orphan,” was produced after meeting one lonely, abused little girl who deeply touched our hearts. These significant undertakings were inspired by the vision from God through heart-wrenching experiences and the intense desire to help mend the broken lives of children.

Help us save orphans and street girls in India with your donation today!