Boy were we amazed and inspired by Aunty Premila, all the staff, and the women and children that we met today. Aunty Premila and her late husband saw a need in the community, opened up their door to help meet that need, and, well, the rest is history. In the 70’s, they put an ad out in the paper offering counseling services for people who were depressed or suicidal. In a culture where that is taboo, they were shocked to find their phones ringing and more than sixty people on their lawn the next day. Since then, their ministries have grown – they work with 
alcoholics and drug addicts; children from the streets, the slums, and the red light district; and women from the slums and red light district. We had no idea how big this organization was or the impact they were making on their communities, nor did we have any idea how "big" Aunty Premila and Uncle Pavamani were. Just talking to Aunty Premila, a humble, loving woman, you would still have no idea. They are just normal people who took a step of faith to reach the lonely and hurting... touching and blessing lives around the world.Little did we know that Aunty Premila and Uncle Pavamani used to work closely with Mother Teresa and her organization – strategically partnering to serve the community. During Mother Teresa’s funeral, Uncle Pavamani actually did some commentary on Mother Teresa's life with Tom Brokaw. Uncle Pavamani and Mother Teresa are also the only 2 people in West Bengal to be buried on private property. VJ’s tomb rests outside the Emmanuel School that they built for children of the poorest of the poor in Calcutta.
When we first arrived at their home office, Aunty Premila was busy so we hung out at an “informal” school they hold on their property for street and slum children. We’ve learned that we should be prepared to share or perform something for the kids – they always sing or dance or do something for us. Let me tell you – the hokie pokie goes a long way in India. It’s the only thing I know well enough to teach. I also played some soccer and monkey in the middle with the kids (although I wasn't sure what was going on because the kids were all wanting me to throw them the ball - I think they were scamming into giving the monkey the ball).
Then we went in to meet Aunty Premila who now runs the organization with a staff of 300-400 reaching thousands of lives. She then sent us along with Subhasis who runs their microloan program.
First stop: New Market. The organization recently began its microloan program, operating only to women in two communities - New Market and Lakhermath. Subhasis was collecting the weekly loan payments at New Market. This slum is one of the poorest – that was pretty clear as we walked into the alley. Yet despite the poverty, there was still a joy and excitement in the eyes of the women and children there. So we walked into a community center that Emmanuel Mini
stries has built there. Inside was a group of children sitting on the floor – another “informal” school. Then inside another door was where the money collections were taking place. In that same room was a medical clinic. A mother came in with her baby to get some injection of some sorts. In America, we might be overly hygienic – this was the opposite. Dark room, no gloves… hold up the syringe in front of a dusty lightbulb, press in the syringe to let out some of the meds., and then into the baby it went. The children sang and danced for us, and then we did the hokie pokie of course. As we left the New Market Slum, a new mother was sitting on the street with her newborn baby – I mean, it seriously looked like it was just born minutes earlier.
Second stop: Emmanuel School. Subhasis took us to the school where 480 children receive their education a
nd a good meal. This school was built to give the poorest of the poor an education that typically only the wealthy in India receive – an “English Medium” education. It is an amazing place that once you are inside the gates, would have no idea where these kids come from or the living conditions they return to every night. School uniforms do wonders to erasing how the kids actually live at home. Also inside the school gates is VJ’s tomb, as well as a home for children – many of which attend the Emmanuel School. We met and learned about current staff of the organization - one was an addict and another a street child who came through the organization's programs. Their lives were transformed and now they are staff, working with people like themselves. Just amazing stories.
Third stop: Lakhermath – a Red Light District. The organization has their 2nd microloan program for women there as well as programs for the children of sex workers. Subashis did his business with the women downstairs, and Jan
e and I went upstairs to hang out with the children. A tiny room filled with children ranging from 3-18? Similar sentiment – happy and excited and joyous kids. Again, the hokie pokie performance. They run an “informal” school there during the day. Then from 6-10PM, they run a program for the kids of the women who are in the sex industry, providing a place for the children to be and be cared for during the hours when the women must work. Emmanuel obviously wants to help the women get out of the trade – the microcredit program is one avenue – but they 
also realize the reality of the situation. Without this program, many of the children would be under the bed of their mother doing “business”; and many of the girls especially would be “in-line” to join the trade. There was one older boy, a first year at university, who grew up through the Emmanuel program. He spoke very good English and he was back to help out with the program in his free time. It was inspiring to meet and speak to someone who came through the program. Again, another example of the impacts this ministry is having on real people.Then, Jane and I headed back to Freeset. The founder offered to take us for a walking tour of the red light district. A surreal experience for sure, and one that had particular meaning after having visited Lakhermath during the daylight. It’s actually quite amazing – Kerry is a friendly face in the community there…
Aunty Premila shared something her husband said to her: Unless you are willing to love them or do it for them, don’t say anything. Just listen.
1 comment:
I am very impressed with the account of your visit to Emmanuel Ministries.
In 1998 I was in Calcutta with a charity called Calcutta Rescue,and came to know Vijayan & Premila.I would walk down Rippon Street every Sunday to go the Church. I was sad to hear about Vijayan's death but am happy to know Premila is carrying on with the work. She is a remarkable woman.
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