Family Connections
Based in South India, Family Connections is the branch of AIM that seeks to live out James 1:27:
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” James 1:27a
Family Connections Leadership
Our Story
Family Connections is led by Amaira, who helped pioneer K-Family from the very beginning. Sana and Vishali, two young women grew up as a part of the K-Family from year one (pictured below at 11-13 years old) have joined Amaira in leadership. They have completely owned the vision for this part of Asia Impact Ministries, and they have now undertaken significant leadership while Amaira provides wisdom and oversight.
Sana earned a masters in social work and is currently the project director. She dreams of making a difference in the lives of vulnerable women and children. Vishali received a degree in accounting and is AIM's finance expert. Together the three of them continue to expand AIM's Family Connections in amazing ways.
AIM Family Connections was born in the early years of the K-Family. AIM is firmly convinced that children belong in families when possible and poverty should never be a reason why a child should grow up in an institution. So when several impoverished widows tried to place their children in the home, they were asked if they would keep their children if they had help with school fees and more. They all said "Yes," and AIM Family Connections was born!
AIM Family Connections equips these single moms (mostly widows) and grandmothers to keep their children in their homes. Many of these women lack basic life skills, such as getting a government ID, opening a bank account, accessing government services, parenting skills, self-advocacy and more. AIM trained some of the single mothers to be social workers and peer helpers and they then taught the other mothers.
Through creative community support and encouragement, women are being empowered to raise their own children. AIM continues to dream and expand in its holistic care of the most vulnerable in Indian society through the many services described below.
Family Support
AIM supports impoverished women and their children in India by meeting their unique needs. This may include providing for the cost of a child's education from pre-school through college, providing access to vocational training for mothers, or offering counseling and discipleship. It also means providing food and healthcare for families who are most in need in these communities.
Training Center
AIM's Tailoring and Computer Training Center was established in 2022. This initiative arose after the ministry encountered impoverished young women from at-risk environments. These young women were in need of marketable vocational skills. Many of these young women were from oppressed backgrounds and needed real hands-on encouragement to build their confidence. This center has seen real fruit in the lives of these young women. Many have surrendered their lives to Jesus and have strong testimonies from their time at AIM.
Education and sponsorship
Studies prove that educating a child is the greatest single factor which can break generational poverty. To that end, the Child Education Sponsorship Program is AIM's largest Family Connection initiative. AIM links sponsors with children to provide both financial help and relationship. Sponsorship funds help to educate a child from preschool through college, covering their tuition at well respected schools. Funds also cover books, uniforms and related school expenses.
Health care
Poor health in the family can interrupt a child's education, and expenses from medical needs can often drive a family deeper into poverty. AIM seeks to provide for all the healthcare needs of the many children and their families who are enrolled in the program. This program includes covering emergency health care costs, providing preventive care services, offering eyeglasses, hosting medical camps and more.
Child-Centric Community Programs
AIM hosts several events throughout the year for the children it supports. The team at Family Connections pours into these young people in creative ways such as awards ceremonies, summer camps, vacation Bible schools, sports days, an elaborate community-wide Christmas carnival and much more.
Workshops, Community based discipleship, and counseling
AIM hosts parenting, family and teen workshops among others throughout the year. The AIM-trained social workers visit each family regularly to encourage, pray for and seek ways to bless them. Counseling is provided at no cost for children, teens, and mothers who go through challenging times.
emergency food Aid
During Covid, many single mothers were unable to work for months and were unable to provide food for their children. AIM was able to deliver food to these mothers throughout the entire Covid crisis. As things in India normalized, it became apparent that many of the mothers were now working hard but were still unable to make ends meet (even with AIM covering the cost of their children's education). AIM has therefore continued to provide food for the most vulnerable families in the community.
Afterschool centers
AIM currently runs three after-school centers for children of single mothers and widows in the Family Connections Program. These centers were started as an answer to high attrition rates within the child support program. The rate of drop-outs has decreased radically after beginning this initiative. The children, whose single mothers work full time, come to the after-school centers for healthy snacks, homework-help, play, and Godly discipleship. These centers are found in the communities where these families reside.