“We knew that if the two girls were left on the streets of Hyderabad, they would soon be trafficked.”

From a Single Act of Compassion to a Lifelong Mission

In June 2007, a friend of Saji and Cynthia’s witnessed a heartbreaking moment near Hyderabad—a man was leaving two young girls by the roadside. When questioned, the father explained that he came from a poor village and, unable to care for his five children, had brought the girls to the city in the desperate hope they might survive by begging for food. Unsure of what to do but unwilling to walk away, the friend brought the girls to Saji and Cynthia’s home.

John Foundation did not yet exist, so there was no infrastructure yet; no funding, no staff—but Saji and Cynthia knew that leaving these girls on the streets would almost certainly lead to exploitation and trafficking. That moment became the catalyst for founding John Foundation.

What began with two vulnerable children has grown into a comprehensive organization dedicated to rescuing at-risk children and young women from the threat of trafficking. John Foundation provides a sustainable alternative through access to quality education and employable skills training. Over the years, they have served individuals from a wide range of difficult circumstances, including semi-orphans, children rescued from trafficking, girls freed from temple prostitution, single mothers, widows, HIV/AIDS-affected families, and those from deeply impoverished backgrounds. At John Foundation, they find not just safety—but hope, dignity, and a path forward.