What is the link between HIV/AIDs and pavements in a far off land? Katy Stewart is one of our young people who has been very much a part of our young people's scene, but has now moved on to university studies. This summer Katy went to India to do some voluntary work. Katy writes:
I spent the month of July living and working with a team of 9 other volunteers in Calcutta, working with one of Tearfund's partners, Emmanuel Ministries Calcutta. The charity began as the Calcutta Samaritans and now has a whole range of different projects running in some of the poorest areas of the city. Projects include a rescue and rehabilitation home for child addicts, a children's home, vocational training centres, community development projects in several different slums, a formal school for those from underprivileged backgrounds, pavement clubs and a HIV/AIDs clinic.
As a team we were involved in running 3 youth groups each week whilst we were there, and supporting the local church fellowship and church groups. Alongside these activities I worked at 2 other projects whilst there. Each morning I spent time at one of the Pavement Clubs, which provides informal education for the poorest children who are often living on the streets. I was involved in teaching the children a little English and Maths, playing games, singing songs and serving them a meal each day. I spent the afternoons at a community development project in Lakharmath slum area; the project ran an after school centre where children could come for help with homework, and to enjoy some time together whilst their parents may be working.
Links to the Emmanuel Ministries website and also for Tearfund Transform are below:
