My name is Deanna Joy (Roepcke) Longjohn and I am a Masters in Law
Student serving as a student staff member for the Center for Global Justice.
This semester I have the privilege of working on Entitlement research for
Justice Ventures International’s (JVI) work in Bihar, India.
Justice Ventures International states that their mission is “to secure
freedom, justice, and restoration for the poor and oppressed by strengthening
ventures that promote justice. Our vision is to see unjust communities
transformed into communities ordered according to God’s standard of love.”[1]
My work for the JVI project includes doing research for the Lawyers’
Manual on Entitlements for the Indian State of Bihar. I am specifically doing
research on government subsidized resources for pregnant and nursing women as
well as people with Tuberculosis.
In India, there is a high infant mortality rate. The government has
provided entitlements to help nourish pregnant women and provide them with the
money and resources they need to have a healthy pregnancy. These entitlements
extend to women who are nursing as well.
The Indian government has provided many great entitlements to help
raise up the poor populations in their country. Unfortunately, not many poor
people have access to the resources to know what opportunities are presented to
them. This Lawyer’s Manual will help lawyers in Bihar make these entitlements
accessible to the poor and oppressed in India.
I have enjoyed the opportunity to do research on Indian entitlements. I
have always had an interest in Indian culture and politics and it is interesting
getting to do research on the subject. It has also been a joy to be able to
practically help while I am still in school. While in school it can be
disheartening to study so much that you lose sight of why you are pursuing your
education. Having the privilege to do research for the Center has helped me
retain my focus on why I am pursuing my degree. This research position has
empowered me to continue my education with excellence so that one day I can
work in the human rights field.
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