In partnership with Open Home Foundation International in Kolkata, India.
EDUCATION & HEALTH CARE FOR ORPHANS
We partner with Open Home Foundation International (OHFI) who work in the poorest slums of India to make a change.
As one of our Six Areas of Care, we focus on reaching Vulnerable Children. We partner with the incredible team at Open Homes Foundation International (OHFI), who work in some of the poorest slums in India. They create tuition centres in these areas helping with education, health care and developing communities of support for children — especially orphans that are often the target for traffickers and have little to no support. We have seen incredible miracles and heard so many amazing stories of what God has done in the lives of so many through this work.
Education & Medical centres in the slums
The living conditions for families in these slums are extreme, barely meeting subsistence levels. Most parents lack sufficient money, knowledge, and skills to provide the basic needs for their children. These families represent some of the poorest communities in India. Consequently, children often face abuse and are forced to work—collecting bottles or papers for recycling, fetching water, caring for younger siblings, or tending to sick family members. Many fall victim to child labor, miss out on education, and are sometimes forced into early marriage or, even worse, become victims of child trafficking.
OHFI’s work in Kolkata is led by Lun Misao, a graduate of PMA College in Manipur, alongside his wife Ngaiching and a dedicated team of six social workers and teachers. Their efforts focus on four slum communities in Kolkata: Sapui Para, Basanti, Dum Dum, and Durgar Nargar Cantonment. Through community engagement, education initiatives, and support services, they strive to improve the lives of these vulnerable children and their families.
Watch the video below to learn about the change we are proud to be part of through OHFI’s work in Kolkata, India.
Current Projects
Sewing skills training.
This training program enables parents of children enrolled at the tuition centre to acquire a new skill: sewing. This skill reduces dependence on labour-intensive or cleaning jobs, which tend to be irregular and hazardous, promoting greater family self-sufficiency. Currently, there is a need for additional sewing machines, fabric and other supplies, as well as funds to pay for an instructor.
Women's Microenterprise Development.
This project will offer training to small peer groups and guide them throughout the development of microenterprises. These small businesses play a crucial role in building sustainable communities. They empower women to acquire skills that they can pass on to their children and the broader community, fostering opportunities for financial independence, improved health, and enhanced education.