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	Orphanage: 350 million people live below the poverty line in India. Food, Water and Shelter: Over 50% of all children under age 4 are severely malnourishes Health Care: Only 50 physicians are available per 100,000 people in India Education: Nearly 50% of India’s population can not read or write Disaster Relief: 10,000 died and 6,000 are missing from the 2004 Tsunami
MPPH has partnered with IREF, an organization that has been providing care to the poor of India for over 50 years. IREF manages four complexes that support over 3,000 children, providing; housing, nutrition, education, medical facilities and a college university. IREF has been dedicated to the personal and spiritual health of rural India's poorest children and their families. Their service to the communities and families of India also includes providing disaster relief during catastrophes like the tsunami of 2004, the floods of 2005 and the fires of 2006.
The History of IREF
IREF was started in 1950 by Prasada Rao Rebba, a teacher in a village school in southern rural India. After many years of teaching, he devoted himself to providing for the needs of the poor in India. In 1979, Prasada’s son Emmanuel and his daughter-in-law Deevena, established IREF in the U.S. to raise funds for the work back home in India. In 1984, Prasada came to the U.S. on a speaking tour to rally support for IREF. As a result of his commitment and passionate efforts, construction started on the first permanent dorms and classroom buildings in 1985. Prasada turned over his leadership to Emmanuel in the late 1980’s, but stayed involved until his passing in 2004. Since 1985, IREF has grown from 5 children in a thatch hut to three residential schools and four orphanages that serve over 3,000 children and tens of thousands of villagers who are trying to escape the grip of poverty.

IREF Facts
IREF’s organization operates out of Repalle, IndiaI, located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. IREF’s orphanages serve over 4,000 children to provide protection from severe poverty. The tsunami of 2005 resulted in nearly 10,000 deaths and 6,000 people were pronounced missing. The people of India are still feeling the effects of the aftermath. IREF has provided immediate care and relief during disasters like the tsunami of 2004, the floods of 2005, and fires of 2006. IREF operates five schools: Elementary and high school (1,300 students), Jr. College (700 Students), Degree College (750 Students), Nursing Institute (40 Students) and Vocational Training Center (200 Students) IREF currently provides care in eight cities across the state of Andhra Pradesh: Akkivaripalem, Arumbaka, Nagaram, Nallakunta, Nalluripalem, Nizampatnam, Penumudi, Ullipalem IREF has built 565 homes for tsunami victims this year


Sponsor a Child	Orphanages IREF operates three orphanages that serve over 4,000 children in the villages of Arumbaka, Nalluripalem and Repalle. Many of these children have living parents that live in nearby villages, but are simply unable to provide for them.

Projects Under Way	Food, Water, and Shelter IREF provides food, water and shelter to the children the serve as well as to the communities surrounding IREF’s facilities. This includes providing water towers that serve thousands of local villagers and community and child care centers in some villages.

Make a Donation	Health Care IREF maintains a nursing school and on site infirmaries at the orphanages to provide for the health care of the children and local villagers. In addition, IREF brings in a team of doctors and dentists annually to care for the children.

Make a Donation	Education IREF operates five schools that currently educate almost 3,000 children and young adults that would otherwise have no access to formal education. This includes an elementary school, high school, Jr. College, Degree College, Nursing Institute and a Vocational Training Center.

Make a Donation	Disaster Relief IREF’s service to the communities and families of India reaches beyond their walls to include disaster relief during catastrophes like the tsunami of 2004, the floods of 2005 and the fires of 2006. This includes providing homes, boats, clothing and food supplies for disaster victims.