In 2005, Swami Nirvanananda went on pilgrimage to the holy land of Israel, visiting many of the sacred sites so prevalent in that ancient land. During his travels there, he learned of a shocking, heart-rending plight in Bethlehem, the holy city of Jesus' birth. Bethlehem, being in the West Bank, has a large Muslim population. The highly exacting moral ideals of certain Muslims have led to this very sad situation. Under Islam, if a girl becomes pregnant outside of marriage, her punishment is automatically death. These "honor killings" are usually carried out by the girl's father, or one of her brothers under direction from their father. This sentence is carried out regardless of whether the girl has been abused or raped.

We've started a project to save these girls by helping them to deliver their babies in secret, so they can return home without their families ever knowing that they were pregnant. The Daughters take the children in and raise them, providing shelter, food, clothing and education. Because of the dangerous circumstances of their birth, the children are not issued birth certificates, and therefore, from a legal standpoint, they do not exist. They have no papers or documentation of any kind, which makes eventual adoption extremely difficult, and much aid is needed. Currently, there are approximately seventy children being cared for in the monastery.

If you would like to help these children and aid in expanding this deserving work, please contact us.