By Wilbur Reid
At a Christ In Youth MOVE conference with their youth group, Kerri Reid and Kindy Carrier were inspired to make a difference for girls in India. They envisioned a big event that would help raise money 
to provide furnishings for a new orphanage being built in Kerala, India, associated with Rajan Ipe and Kerala Christian Mission. Girls who are abandoned by their families in India have little chance of being educated or even surviving for very long. The Carmel Girls Orphanage provides a loving atmosphere, with a focus on education and gaining important life skills.
When Kerri and Kindy heard the new orphanage needed beds, chairs, and desks, they organized a 5K race and set an ambitious goal of raising $10,000 for the orphanage. Journey Christian Church in Roswell, Georgia, rallied around the girls and they began organizing, promoting, and recruiting sponsors and runners. Months of planning and promotion included establishing a website (www.missiontoinspireindia.com), Facebook page, and Twitter account. The girls engaged SOAR Ministries (www.soarministries.org) to help with logistics, such as registration and credit card donations. The Inspire India 5K was a great success, with more than 200 runners and volunteers raising $13,156 to fully furnish 10 bedrooms for 40 girls. Participants included about 30 individuals from the Indian community in Atlanta.
In addition to the money raised through the 5K, Kerri and Kindy also sold their own paintings and handmade scarves to raise money for airline tickets to travel with SOAR Ministries to India to attend the dedication of the orphanage and spend time with the girls.
Author: Christian Standard
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