UPDATE: This is where we are at

The last few months have proven to be quite a time for Gentle Hands of India. Founder, Dennis Heppner, has this important update to get you all up to speed:

Gentle Hands of India, as it is legally and officially called, has existed in India over 12 years. It is called a “trust” rather than a non profit.

Originally it was a joint arrangement between myself and an Indian national. As my involvement in India ministry increased it was eventually turned over and run by the Indian national alone. The building we have is a former building that was once run by Gentle Hands of India (GHoI).

Due to many different circumstances, the Indian national eventually gave it up. Due to a lack of reporting the last few years and some legal issues, the GHoI corporation needed serious updating. It took over 1 year to repair all the legal work and details, get the tax calculated and paid to date and settle government issues which had developed.

After much hard work and money, the Gentle Hands of India is fully functional and 100% legal now!

We began renovation of the property the first quarter of the year. The cost for this extensive renovation is around $55,000. We have raised or have committed half of the said $55,000 and decided to begin the renovations while continuing to raise the remaining renovations funds.

Everything could finally move forward and the building renovations began. How exciting!

The first day of the project someone arrived claiming ownership of the property.

Demonstrations were held in front of the police station. This is all normal posturing in India. We have the title and appropriate documents - this is what we had done in the year before getting all these settled and legal.

And so the work has stopped. We have the matter before a judge and will be heard in the next week or so.

Prayer needed as this is a nuisance case whose primary objective is to hold up the project.

We are optimistic to have the renovation project finished in the next 5 months.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers as we have slowly, but steadily made progressive in this project moving forward. We are truly excited for the days to come and for the Children's Home to be completed.

We are still in need of raising the other half of the funds for this project as well as the eventual furnishing and then monthly budget. Consider a one-time or monthly gift today.

For more information, please contact us at gentlehandsindia@gmail.com