Some ministries are born from a burden so deep that it can only be answered by God’s call. For Pastor Tejoban Lima, that moment came when he returned home to Odisha, India, after completing his Master of Divinity. What he found broke his heart — children in remote mountain villages living in desperate conditions, without food, education, or hope.
“I had a desire to see my land India know Jesus’s love. When I came home and saw the plight of the poor and needy kids… no one was there to care for them. So, in 2012, Care for Kids International was born.”
In a nation where only a small percentage of the population is Christian, and where idol worship and superstition are woven into daily life, the vision of Care for Kids is bold: to bring light, truth, and transformation to some of the most unreached communities in southern India.
Their Purpose & Vision
Care for Kids International exists to honour God and share His love — caring for children’s immediate needs and planting churches among unreached people groups. Their mission projects include:
- Education centres for destitute tribal children
- Food distribution drives
- Health care initiatives & clean drinking water
- Agricultural training for sustainability
- Widow & orphan care
- Child sponsorship programmes
- Missionary training & sending workers
- Relief for persecuted communities
- Disaster relief (e.g., COVID–19, floods)
- Crusades, VBS, youth camps, pastor seminars & children’s retreats
Through these efforts, the ministry is currently reaching 500+ children across 20 villages, serving 800 families, and partnering with 20+ volunteer pastors.
“Above all, food and education ministries are vital for development. As people encounter the love of Christ through care for their children, parents and whole villages are coming to know the truth that sets them free.”
Who They Serve
The team serves among the most vulnerable: destitute tribal children and families in the Kui, Soura, and Harijan people groups. These communities, tucked away in the mountain regions of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, often lack access to even the most basic needs.
Though resources are limited — and they are lacking a mission vehicle — the team continues faithfully, trusting God to provide.
“There are many challenges — opposition, financial need, and lack of resources. But God keeps opening the way. Through the education centres, we are touching villages and seeing lives transformed.”
How You Can Partner
- Pray for strength, provision, and protection as they serve among unreached people groups.
- Give toward projects such as food distribution, education, sponsorships, and church planter training. See: How to Give.
- Partner with the ministry as they expand into more villages to reach more children with Christ’s love.
Hope On Wheels: a special campaign raising funds for a mission vehicle so the team can reach remote villages more effectively and safely. Learn more or give at careforkids.international/hopeonwheels.
“We want people to know Jesus Christ’s love for them. Our heart is to bring hope to the hopeless and light to those still in darkness. With your prayers and partnership, it is possible.”
