Photo Gallery

In India height="356"

These girls are the daughters of sex workers in India. They now live in the Esther Leadership Home KARIS helped start. It houses 20 girls freed from the bondage of India's sex industry. The Indian caste system perpetuates generational prostitution. Through the cooperation of their parents, these girls are given a safe, clean place to live where they can get an education and a chance at a life with dignity. These girls would otherwise be trapped in a life of prostitution and the near certainty of HIV/AIDS infection. KARIS representatives have made repeat visits to the Esther Leadership Home to personally observe the life transforming difference made in their lives.

In Uganda height="356"

These Ugandans are participating in a micro-finance economic development program funded in part by KARIS. They borrow sums ranging from $50 to $200 to finance their own businesses. Almost all are women who are raising orphans of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The loan repayment rate among these ladies is over 98%. They have formed a group best described as a form of credit union which meets weekly to discuss their businesses and monitor loan repayments. Some sell clothing door to door, some are seamstresses, merchants, shopkeepers and even a beautician.

Gravel Grinding Granny height="356"

This lady makes gravel - by hand, and raises 4 orphans. She uses her micro-loans to finance raw material purchases while building up inventories of various sizes of crushed stone for sale to builders.

Cow Keeper height="356"

This lady raises livestock for resale to support herself and her family. She uses micro-loans to finance the purchase of animals and feed.

Shop Keeper height="356"

This lady owns and operates this roadside shop. She sells fruit vegetables and charcoal used for cooking. She buys huge bales of charcoal, divides it into small sacks and resells it and local vegetables at a profit, which although small, is sufficient to sustain her and her family. She uses her micro-loans to finance inventory purchases.

In Guatemala height="356"

KARIS supports a mission project among the Indians of Guatemala. The infant mortality rate among these people is the highest in the western hemisphere. They are given milk, vitamins and treatment that is life sustaining.

In Sierra Leone, West Africa height="356"

'Giving someone a hand' takes on new meaning! KARIS provided this man's hand, and artificial limbs for 200 others. KARIS representatives, including an orthopedic surgeon fitted artificial limbs on terrorism victims in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Rebels systematically hacked off the hands of these people to humiliate and demoralize them. With these limbs they are able to feed and dress themselves, and many can have gainful employment - and dignity.

Local Opportunities to Volunteer height="356"

KARIS also encourages and organizes individual participation in providing Kindness And Relief In Society. These activities are simple, practical and personal acts of kindness and grace. Volunteers and recipients both are blessed.

Sharing a Smile height="356"

This KARIS volunteer brought lunch and encouragement to a patient at a medical care facility in northeast Washington, D.C.

Helping Out height="356"

KARIS volunteers painted the interior of this halfway house facility in northwest Washington, DC and encouraged residents with the hope of a normal life free of bondage to drugs and alcohol.