Upmaka Community Care Center

Upmaka Community Care Center is one of One Life’s three sites in India and a beautiful example of how holistic care, combined with sponsorship, can empower a community.

Upmaka is a small village in Andhra Pradesh, India, with around 100 families. In this community, many men leave to find daily work, while the women stay behind to care for their children and families. Directors Raja and Neelima introduced the MACS program and CHE training to the village as tools to equip people to develop and strengthen their community. MACS, supported by Westside, is a microfinance program, and CHE stands for Community and Health Evangelism.

As relationships grew with the women involved in these programs, it became clear that there was a gap in addressing the needs of the children. In response, the village renovated their old community center and developed a program with a cook, tutor, and assistant. We were thrilled to learn that the assistant was once a sponsored child in the One Life program, and has since grown up, created her own business through the MACS program, and is now giving back to her community.

After prayerful consideration, One Life decided to introduce sponsorship as a way to further support this community. Chakramma, the leader of the site and cook at the center, was once a daily wage worker until her husband tragically passed away in an accident. One Life provided her with an opportunity to support her son and the community, while also ensuring that children could continue their education within their village, learning both academics and the teachings of Jesus.

Through this partnership, we’re seeing transformation not only in the lives of individuals but in the entire community. We are so grateful to the Lord and all sponsors and prayer warriors in our Impact Family that we get to be a part of the impact being made in communities like Upmaka. We praise God for allowing us to be active participants in His Kingdom!