Imagine growing up in a slum outside of New Delhi. This is where Akhtar and Rasheed grew up with their abusive father.

Akhtar recalls, “Our father used to get drunk and never cared if my brother and I had anything to eat. We basically had to find a way to live on our own. We started to steal money from people. We would steal metal or other items from the railroad or a factory. Sometimes we went days without food, and the only place we could sleep was on the ground.”

But, all that was about to change for Akhtar and Rasheed. Their father knew that he couldn’t take care of them, so he sent them to a children’s home, sponsored by CBN’s Orphan’s Promise.

“We get good meals every day, and it is peaceful here,” says Akhtar. “We also have nice beds to sleep on. I like the classes that I’m taking here, because I’m learning how to read and write both in English and Hindi.”

Rasheed adds, “When I came here, I didn’t have anything, but I was given new clothes, books, pencils, shoes -- everything!”

And these brothers’ hearts are being transformed as well, as they have both prayed to receive Jesus as Savior.

“I didn’t live a good life before,” says Rasheed, “but after I came here, Jesus changed me. I want to become a pastor when I grow up, because I want everybody to know and believe in Jesus, so all of us can go to heaven together.”

And Akhtar has dreams too.

“Jesus has totally changed my life,” Akhtar says. “Now I want to become a doctor, so I can treat the helpless children and the needy.”

This home for children outside New Delhi currently has enough room for 26 children, but they would like to expand so they can welcome more than 100 children. CBN’s Orphan’s Promise wants to help them make that happen.

“When I look at the kids who still live in the slums, I remember how I used to live,” says Akhtar, “I used to have to steal for food. I wish these children’s lives would change just like mine.”