Field Partners
Jonathan and Kate
South Asia
Jonathan and Kate head up Dignity Freedom Network (DFN) Australia and New Zealand; working in partnership with Good Shepherd Ministries in India. Serving with OM for almost 2 decades in various roles, they were impacted by the incredible issues faced by vulnerable people in India. In 2016, they began DFN to profile the needs of those who fall outside the caste system, particularly working to eradicate the heinous Jogini system.
They have been at CityLife for ten years, and particularly love their “small group”. They have three sons, two daughter-in-laws and two adorable grandsons.
From Jonathan and Kate,
‘We have been involved in ministry for many years, but never have we found anything so compelling or effective as working with these marginalised women and children.
God’s heart breaks for the vulnerable and oppressed as we read in His Word, and we consider it a privilege to be able to express His love and compassion to these people.
A key verse for us is found in Proverbs 31: 8 – 9:
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
We head up the work in Australia and New Zealand advocating for these people and raising funds, prayer, resources and tools. We partner with Good Shepherd ministries in India, a work that is nationally run and led.’
DFN Activities
Children who fall outside the caste system suffer from discrimination and marginalisation, and many drop out of school early, believing themselves to be of no value. They remain trapped in the poverty cycle that has been perpetuated for generations.
With 104 schools across India, 26,000+ vulnerable children receive an English Medium education and health care, equipping them for further studies and giving them the luxury to dream.
We have a sponsorship programme, however, around 13,000 of our children remain unsponsored. Until these children are sponsored we cannot expand the programme.
In 2018, 573 students graduated from 30 Good Shepherd Schools; the average score was 88.65% and the highest individual score was 96.2%! Many have gone on to further studies.
Shaba’s Story
Shaba is one of our 2018 graduates who comes from a poor farming family. Sadly, her mother died when Shaba was in Grade Two and devastatingly her step mother died in 2018. Life for this family is a constant financial challenge.
After completing university, Shaba hopes to return to the very same school she attended to teach other vulnerable students and give them the opportunity to dream big dreams.
Good Shepherd Anti-Human Trafficking
For over 2,000 years, thousands of girls have been illegally forced into ritual sex slavery. Girls are dedicated to the goddess Yellamma in a marriage-like ceremony and thereafter known as Joginis.
They are dedicated and ‘initiated’ without their consent, and usually have no knowledge of what becoming a Jogini will involve. After reaching puberty she becomes the property of the village and can be used by any man, anywhere, anytime; and is trapped in a life of sexual servitude.
It is estimated that there are over 100,000 Joginis. Sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS and ill-health are rife, mental health issues and depression are rampant and dignity is non-existent. They are stigmatised and abused physically, sexually, emotionally and financially. Most are illiterate, struggle with substance abuse and live in extreme poverty.
Our team have identified that the practice is rampant in around 3,000 villages in Southern India. Our staff connect with Joginis, providing healthcare, empowerment and vocational training and empowering them to leave the practice.
We are currently active in 240 villages, where we are seeing dedications decrease, and Joginis discovering dignity and hope, empowered to leave the practice. Joginis are tested for HIV/AIDs receive and provided with ARVs. They receive tailoring training, small business grants, buffaloes and other means of providing for their families.
It is the former Joginis who leading the work, as they return to the villages and become our eyes and ears, connecting our team with at-risk girls; and helping other Joginis to leave the practice.
Ushantha’s Story
Jayamma’s Story
Seven-year-old Jayamma* was playing outside when her father told her that she was to be a Jogini. He could not afford to pay a dowry should she marry, and he needed someone to look after him in his old age. The solution was to dedicate her to the temple goddess.
The entire village attended the dedication ceremony, however Jayamma had no idea what was in store. When she reached puberty, Jayamma realised she was trapped in a horrendous cycle of systemic sexual abuse. She worked in the fields for paltry wages, but whenever she was approached by a man, she would have to succumb.
By the time Jayamma was thirteen years she was pregnant, but as she had been used by most of the men in her village she had no idea of the father’s identity.
In her 20s, Jayamma often became sick, and as she approached thirty she started to become very weak. Her uncle died from AIDS; he had used Jayamma for a long time. Increasingly unhealthy and feeling worthless, life had become unbearable.
Our colleagues met Jayamma through their Prevention and Awareness Programme. Jayamma wanted to leave the Jogini system but it was almost impossible. Our team helped her to understand her rights and entitlements and arranged an HIV test where she was diagnosed as HIV positive. Our team helped her to access treatment. She has also received tailoring training as part of our Economic Empowerment Programme, and now she can earn a living. It is early days, but Jayamma’s life is beginning to change for the better. *name changed
Supporting Jonathan and Kate
Life Groups can adopt Jonathan & Kate and support them by regularly praying for them, financially supporting them through donations or running fundraising events for them. People can attend their monthly prayer meeting in East Doncaster, donate to the work, sign up for our monthly prayer update, visit the ministry or join a medical team, offer their expertise and skills, join or form a local committee, invite us to speak at their small group or other group, or contact us with ideas or for more information.
Prayer Points
- Please pray for greater capacity so we can expand the reach of the work; pray that more people would discover their God given dignity.
- Pray for the upcoming Indian elections.
- Pray for someone to help oversee the communications strategy.
Adopt as a Life Group
As a LifeGroup you can adopt missionary and actively support the ministry through prayer, fundraising and encouraging directly via email or when the missionary visit Melbourne. LifeGroup leaders can do this by filling up the Adopt a Missionary Form.