ASHA

Asha Mission was founded in India by Pastor Babu and his wife, Lijy. In 2007, persecution forced them to seek refuge in the United States, where they eventually made Fort Myers, Florida, their home. Although they had to leave the children they had been caring for in India with Christian friends, Babu and Lijy continued supporting them from afar. With the encouragement of new friends, they established Asha Mission as a nonprofit, beginning with five children living in a family-style home under the care of a pastor and his wife. Today, Asha operates four children's homes in northern and eastern India, providing children from difficult circumstances—including slums, leper colonies, and brothels—with a safe home, education, and the opportunity to learn about Jesus. Many of these children had little or no formal education before coming to Asha.