India, Asia

IND19 - Barasat Child Tutoring Programme

• View report dated: September 9, 2017

• View report dated: March 29, 2018

• View report dated: October 21, 2019

Report Date: September 9, 2024

Report from BHW India Partnership Facilitator

Key people: Molay and Anita Kanti Das 

Recent Events

Activities

In November 2023 a team from Bright Hope World was in the Kolkata area but did not visit Molay and Anita. He travelled with the team to Adra, but we did not go to his house or see what he is doing in the partnership in Barasat. A team intends to visit the partnership in November 2024.

The BHW facilitators are in regular communication with Molay via WhatsApp and Signal. From time to time, we get short updates about the programme and photos. The work goes on from week to week and they need to limit the numbers as there is a growing demand for the service.

The Christmas programme was a great success. More than 100 children came to see the programme with about 50 adults as well even though there are only around 45 to 50 attending the tutoring programme. They had a gospel presentation, items from the children, songs and Christmas carols and a display of the children's work. 

In May 2024 they held a baptism for two people who had become Christians during the meetings and more have indicated they want to be baptised. They are very encouraged by the number of people who are willing to listen to the Good News and that some are responding

 

This photo is the church family at the baptism. This is double the number from 2 -3 years ago and before too much longer they are going to have to deal with the issue of the building being too small. There are 28 baptised adults in the church, but they frequently have more than 40 at the meetings. Recently, one family shifted out of the area. 

 

In the May school vacations they held two, five-day Vacation Bible School programmes. More than 200 children attended the programmes, one for primary school children and the other for the secondary school kids. They had action songs, craft, puppets, workbooks, Bible lessons, activities and gospel presentations. Many older young people came which surprised and delighted them. Several gave their lives to the Lord, and they are continuing to follow up with the children. This is giving them many opportunities to visit them in their homes and talk with the parents. 

 

Personal Update

In October 2023 Molay had an accident on his motorbike and was on medication for several months, had to attend physiotherapy sessions and was not able to ride his motorbike. This caused significant issues as he needs to move around in his role as pastor of the little church. He has not fully recovered from this up until this time and his shoulder continues to give him pain. However, it does not seem to slow him down.

In his role as pastor with Anita they havey many demands on their time and their house. They live in a small apartment owned by the church and every time there is a meeting they have to shift all the furniture out of their lounge to accommodate the people. Along with this, when people in the wider network of churches need to come to Kolkata for medical treatment they often come and stay at their house. They only have two bedrooms so often find themselves sleeping on the floor of the lounge.

Two years ago, Molay's mother had cancer in her jaw and she had to have severe treatment including an operation. During that time, for several months she was staying with them whilst receiving treatment. At present she is with them again as she has to have more treatment to her jaw and her remaining teeth removed as she has abscesses in her jaw.

Their housing situation puts increasing pressure on the family as both the children are now teenagers, and they live in very cramped circumstances. The children, Stephen who is 17 and Ananya who is 14, are very helpful in the ministry, both in the church and the tutoring programme. They are both musical and help with the worship and music, both playing instruments.  

Partnership's Influence within the Community

Generally, the local community is very positive about the tutoring centre and this is indicated by the increasing numbers wanting to send their children. The project has been running now for several years and some of the older children are now asking for ongoing assistance with their studies. It is not likely they will be able to do more. 

Most of the families in this community are very poor and usually the children must leave school early to help with family income. Children are staying at school much longer now as they are doing better at school and Molay and Anita encourage the parents to allow their children to remain in school rather than leave. 

Plans for the Future

They have no new plans. Their intention is to continue, week after week, to engage with the children and families.

Current Issues and Challenges

- Lack of space for meeting
- The poverty of the people and the pressure that places of families
- The vulnerability of the young people, especially the girls – this is a child trafficking hotspot 

Prayer and Praise Points

1) That the work continues and is an important part of their presence in the community
2) That people are becoming believers and being baptized
3) That Stephen and Ananya love to help in the work
4) That the church would continue to grow

Comments

This is a great little project and one that we should continue to support. It is a strategic part of their mission engagement.