In the suburb of Vikhroli in the east coastal city of Mumbai is a large expanse of land that is underdeveloped, unclean and without stable housing, electricity, sanitation facilities and a water supply. The thousands of people who live in this massive slum are mostly illiterate and are compelled to raise their children in this rough environment where trust is unseen and bad behavior is rife.

Nakul* is an 11 year old fourth grade boy who lives in Shiva Chaya, one of the many slums in Vikhroli. In between paying school fees, affording adequate clothing and providing food, Nakul's family struggles. His father works as a daily wage laborer while his mother walks through the untidy slum selling garlic for a living.

Malnutrition affects many children in this area. Without regular meals children are physically weakened, and mental development is slowed thus affecting school performance. But everything changed when Joyce Meyer Ministries' Hand of Hope began a feeding program near their slum. Every day, a nutritious meal is given to each child who attends the feeding program. The children eat to their hearts' content and after meal time, they enjoy playing with one another and learning from all the educational games that the Hand of Hope staff and volunteers introduce them to.

Along with his new friends, Nakul now heads to the Hand of Hope feeding center for a fresh and healthy meal and study time when the children are read stories and taught of God's special love for them.

Thanks to Joyce Meyer Ministries, Nakul can work toward his goal of becoming a policeman when he grows up. This young boy is sure that he can achieve this with all that he has learned and received at the Hand of Hope feeding center.

Children like Nakul need to be shown the love of God. If you feel called to share God's love with a child through a healthy meal and education, click here to partner with Hand of Hope. Your partnership makes a difference in their lives!

*Name changed for privacy