As Sara and I plan to join Beth on her next trip to Mumbai in March I have been trying to find out about the methodist church and came up with this info from http://new.gbgm-umc.org/advance/resources/news/?C=6088&i=26320


Slumdog Millionaire" and the True Story of Hope in Methodist Street Children's Ministries
"Slumdog Millionaire" swept the Academy Awards. Yet the subject of the movie is not new to the Methodist Ministry in Mumbai, India, which has been helping street children for decades.

Tune in to this three-minute video to witness the real-life story of hope for street children in Mumbai.

The Methodist Church in Mumbai supports 20 centers for street children in 13 impoverished communities. Children from 1 to 14 years old have a safe place to receive a meal, health care, recreation, and a simple education. Older children are taught technical skills like chalk making and weaving. The children also learn Bollywood dance steps. After all, Mumbai is home to the largest film industry in the world.

"As portrayed so well in the movie, 'Slumdog Millionaire,' many street children are forced into a life of begging either by family members or by unscrupulous adults who used them for their own gain," said Max Marble, Office of Creative Ministries, The United Methodist Church, Missouri Conference, and the maker of the series "MissionCast." "It is my hope that the movie will continue to draw attention to the plight of street children the world over."

Support these United Methodist Advance projects to continue providing hope to the street children of Mumbai.

#3020560 - Talents Intended for Development and Enterprise (Mumbai)

#3020515 - Technical Training for Street Children (Mumbai)

#212383 - Women Equality and Development of the Community Outreach Program (Mumbai)