Worldwide Community Schools

Siani and Suphula are back with the children in the orphanage. Everyone there is safe.

But other problems now exist. There is flooding throughout the states of Orissa and Bihar.

Someone just sent this information:

In many areas water is flowing over the village settlements. At least 2.1 million people are affected in 417 villages. Millions of people have been displaced and thousands of people are missing and field workers from Action Aid and other organizations in the Citizen’s Initiative on Flood in Bihar believe 2,000 people have been killed.
___________

From me again: In the United States we watch our television sets to find out what is happening with our presidential elections. That, of course, is important to all of us.

And we watch news about the weather to see whether the hurricanes will hit our eastern shores.

But I wish we could also be given news about what is happening in India and other places in the world.

INDIA: DEATHS MOUNT AS VIOLENCE SPREADS IN ORISSA

At least 18 people are confirmed dead in 92 incidents of violence against Christians since suspected Maoists murdered Hindu leader Swamiji Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others on Saturday (Aug. 23) in Orissa state.

With Hindu extremists inciting hatred by heated accusations that Christians killed Saraswati, the national newspaper Hindu reported that nine people had been killed in Orissa violence, and a source near the state capital of Bhubaneswar confirmed an additional nine people slain.

The death count by the Hindu included four people killed in the Barakhama area. News agencies had earlier confirmed three dead in Raikia and two others, including a woman, killed in Bargarh, where a missionary-run orphanage was set on fire yesterday. The figure of 92 incidents thus far comes from the Global Council of Indian Christians.
Additionally, the source said that Hindu extremists today killed pastor Samuel Naik of the Bakingia Seventh-Day Adventist Church at Kandhamal, and Jacob Digal and Gopan Naik of Damba village were slain. Also killed was Golok Naik of Pidinanju village (under Mondakia police station), and pastor Mukunda Bardhan from Mukundapur, Gajapati was burned to death.

Three other people whose names have not yet been verified, said the source, were killed in Katingia village of G. Udaygiri, along with a pastor belonging to Operation Mobilization from the same area. In Badimunda, about 12 kilometers (seven miles) from G. Udaygiri, nearly 25 Christian homes were burned down.
There were many reports of Christians being pulled from their homes and killed or beaten, with many homes of Christians torched in Baliguda. According to reports by the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), the East India office of Compassion International in Bhubaneswar was ransacked.

Saraswati and four others were killed by suspected Maoists in the swami’s ashram, or religious center, in the Jalespata area of Kandhamal district’s Tumudiband Block in Orissa state. A warning letter found at the Saraswati religious center and use of expensive arms suggested Maoists were behind the attack.
In a state with a strong Maoist presence, police reportedly said they have evidence to link the communist rebels to the murders of Saraswati and his four associates. One police theory is that Maoists would attack Hindu leaders in a misguided effort to gain support among area tribal people, many of whom have converted to Christianity.
On Sunday (Aug. 24) the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a partner in the state’s ruling coalition, and the Hindu extremist Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP) called for 12-hour a shut-down in which inflammatory speeches were made accusing Christians of killing Saraswati.

Authorities in Denial
Orissa Police Chief Gopal Chandra Nanda downplayed the violence, telling Reuters that incidents were only “sporadic” and that “some prayer houses have been attacked and vehicles have been burnt.”

Likewise, local authorities and media have painted the shutdown as “peaceful,” denying that organized attacks took place. The state is ruled by a coalition of the BJP and the Biju Janata Dal party.

At the same time, Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) extremists have continued to incite hatred against Christians and criticized the local government. VHP Secretary General Pravin Tagodia accused the state government of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of acting like a “eunuch” and demanded his apology for the killing of Saraswati and his companions.

“Christians murdered Swamiji, but the government is lying and giving it a Maoist color,” Tagodia said. “Naveen as an individual and police, in particular, are responsible for this attack orchestrated by the church on Hindu dharma.’’
At the same time, a senior leader from Christian relief and development organization World Vision told our correspondent that a news report about the arrest of their staff members in connection with Saraswati’s killing was false. The police had merely kept two of their employees for protection, he said.
“No complaint had been lodged against them,” he said. “The employees have safely reached their homes.”

Widespread Violence

Sources from Kandhamal district said hundreds of Christians along with their families have fled to the nearby forests to save their lives in the rainy climate and are without shelter, food and clothing.

“Three adults and one child were reportedly killed in fresh violence in Barakhama, Kandhamal,” EFI News reported.

At least 14 Christians have been killed in Kandhamal, according to the news agency: Hacked to death by a rampaging mob of Hindu extremists were two Christians in Mutungia village, one in Petaponga village, one in Borimunda village, three in Katinga village, three in Tianga village, three in Adikuppa village and one in Bakingia village.
According to reports received from Kalahandi district, many incidents of violence and house burning have taken place even though it is more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the place where Saraswati was killed.
Christian sources said pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission was beaten and his house was burned in Bhawanipatna. In Kharihar, three Christian shops were looted and burned. Pastor Alok Das was beaten at Kharihar, as was pastor I.M. Senapati. In Aampani, pastor David Diamond Pahar was beaten by more than 200 people. They chased him away from Aampani, and he is hiding in nearby villages.
Pastor Pravin Ship and two other area pastor identified only as Pradhan and Barik were beaten and chased away with their families. In Naktikani, an angry mob surrounded the village to attack Christians. The government sent forces to try to control the mob but without success.

Christian Pleas
A delegation of Christian leaders in New Delhi met with Home Minister Shivraj Patil to brief him of the situation and to register their concern. Patil assured the Christian delegation, including the Rev. Dr

I spent several days with those 60 children last year, and they are really beautiful souls. I was looking through my photos trying to find one that would show them as
vulnerable, little children, but all their photos are so full of life and spirit.

They were full of smiles and joy during those days we spent together. It hurts to imagine them today as scared and feeling so alone and helpless. They are orphans, no one to look out for them, and from the reports we are receiving, even the staff commissioned to care for them have had to run for their lives. Please pray for these little ones.

You can see more photos at: http://public.fotki.com/gmeadows/india/kesinga/

This is a list of what is happening:

1) NUN BURNT ALIVE: A nun was burnt to death on 25th, Monday, after an orphanage was torched in at Phutpali in Bargarh district in Orissa during a bandh called by Hindu nationalist parties.Twenty children, who were at the orphanage, managed to escape but a priest suffered serious burn injuries in the attack.

2) RASANANDA PRADHAN TORCHED ALIVE: Another person, Rasananda Pradhan, was burnt to death when his house was set ablaze at Rupa village in Kandhamal district.

3) INFLAMMATORY SPEECHES TARGET CHRISTIANS: During the bandh inflammatory speeches spreading hatred against the Christian workers and the community were given by the VHP leaders. To gain the mass support,the activists have also carried the body of Swamiji throughout the town.

4) CHURCHES BURNT ALL ACROSS ORISSA STATE: Churches were attacked in Khurda, Bargarh, Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Koraput, Boudh, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur and Kandhamal districts as also in the state capital, police sources said, adding 40 houses were set ablaze in Phulbani town.

5) BUSES AND VEHICLES TORCHED: Mr. Mishra Digal was beaten up, while the motorcycles of Mr. R. K. Digal and Jitendra were burnt. Several buses at Gee Udaigiri in Baliguda were burnt.

6) PULBANI CHURCH RANSACKED: The Church at Phulbani,and several other churches at Phiringia were attacked and ransacked. Pastor D. Tatson’s house was vandalized and his property burnt.

7) KAKRIGUMA CHURCHES VANDALISED: Churches in Kakriguma have been targeted by the mob that reportedly damaged the Assembly Of God Church and the Philadelphia Church.

WORLD VISION STAFF FLED FOR SAFETY: World Vision India office ransacked and the Staff has also fled to jungle for protection.

9) CHRISTIANS TAKE SHELTER IN FOREST FOR PROTECTION: A police camp at Barakhama was also attacked by the Hindu fundamentalists. With several houses being burnt down and people being made homeless, many Christians,particularly from Nua Sahi, Munda Sahi and Suna Tonga have fled into forests for their lives.

10) NUN RAPED: A young Catholic Nun of the Cuttack Bhubaneswar diocese working Jan Vikas Kendra, the Social Service Centre at Nuagaon in Kandhamal was reportedly gang raped on 24th August 2008 by groups of Hindutva extremists before the building itself was destroyed.

11) SENIOR PRIEST AND NUN INJURED: Fr Thomas, director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Kanjimendi, less than a kilometer away from the Social Service Centre, and another Nun were injured when the centre was attacked. They were taken to the police station in a disheveled state as the armed mob bayed for their blood. The Pastoral centre was then set afire.

12) BALLIGUDA CHURCH BUILDINGS DESTROYED AGAIN: On 24th August 2008 evening lynch mobs at the block headquarters of Balliguda, in the very heart of Kandhamal district, which had seen much violence between 24th and 26th December 2007, attacked and destroyed a Presbytery, convent and hostel damaging the properties.

13) CHRISTIAN BOYS HEADS TONSURED: The mobs in Balliguda caught hold of two boys of the Catholic hostel and tonsured their heads.

14) PHULBANI CHURCH DAMAGED: On 25th august 2008 morning followers of the late Lakshmanananda Saraswati damaged the Catholic Church in Phulbani, the district headquarter town.

15) MOTHER TERESA BROTHERS ASHRAM ATTACKED: Mobs attacked the Mother Teresa Brothers’ residence and hospital in Srasanada, destroyed once before and rebuilt two months ago, and beat up the patients.

16) BHUBANESWAR BISHOP’S HOUSE ATTACKED: On the morning of 25th August 2008, violent mobs made several attempts to enter the compounds of Catholic Church and Archbishop’s house in the heart of the Capital of the State of Orissa. They could not enter because of the police presence. They threw stones at the guesthouse of Archbishop’s House, damaging windows.

17) DUBURI PARISH: Another group of fundamentalists entered presbytery in Duburi parish, managed by the SVDs and destroyed and damaged property. Two priests of the parish are missing.

18) Mr. Jamaj Pariccha, Director of Gramya Pragati, is attacked and his property damaged, vehicle looted and burnt.

19) A Baptist Church in Akamra Jila in Bhubaneswar is also damaged.

20) Christian institutions like St. Arnold’s School (Kalinga Bihar) and NISWASS report some damage.

21) BOUDH DISTRICT [Adjoining Kandhamal]: Fundamentalists enter the Catholic parish church and destroy property. People are fleeing to safer places. But nothing seems safe.

22) MUNIGUDA: Muniguda Catholic Fathers and Nuns’ residence have been damaged.

23) SAMBALPUR: HM Sister’s residence (Ainthapalli) has suffered damage.

24) PADANPUR: One priest is attacked and admitted to a hospital. Hostel boys and the in charge have moved away from the place.

25) MADHUPUR: Madhupur Catholic Church currently under attack.

26) SMALL CHURCHES: Attempted violence on small churches in various districts, including Padampur, Sambalpur near GM College, Talsera, Dangsoroda, Narayanipatara, Muniguda, Tummiibandh, Tangrapada, Phulbani, Balliguda, Kalingia, Chakapad, Srasanranda.

27) VILLAGE CHRISTIAN HOUSES ATTACKED: Houses attacked on forest hamlets of Balliguda, Kanjamandi Nuaguam (K.Nuaguam), Tiangia (G.Udayagiri), Padangiri, Tikabali.

28) KALAHANDI DISTRICT: Houses burnt even though the district is more than 300 kilometers from the place where Swami Lakshmanananda was killed.

29) PASTORS’ HOUSE BURNT: Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission beaten up and his house burnt in Bhawanipatna.

30) KHARIHAR: 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt. Pastor Alok Das and Pastor I M Senapati beaten up.

31) AAMPANI: Pastor David Diamond Pahar, Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor Pradhan and Pastor Barik beaten up and chased away with their families.

32) NAKTIKANI: Mob surrounds village to attack Christians.

The government has sent forces, it is reported. A delegation of Christian leaders under the leadership of Archbishop Vincent Concessao, the President of National United Christian Forum of CBCI, NCCI and EFI, met the Home Minister Shri Shiv Raj Patil and submitted a memorandum. The Home Minister assured the delegation all necessary steps have been taken to maintain peace and harmony and protect the innocent. He also expressed his helplessness by stating that police protection cannot be given in all villages.

EFI request prayers at this time so that peace and harmony may prevail.

We have heard from several sources that there is serious trouble in the state of Orissa, India. The Hindu people are murdering Christian leaders. Some have been burned alive.

Our friends Siani and Suphala have an orphanage with 60 children, and as Christian leaders of the orphanage, they are in serious danger. This is what Siani has written:

Greetings to you in Jesus’ name.

Please pray for Christians in Orissa who are experiencing very serious persecution. Hindu people have targeted all Christian leaders in Orissa. Many churches, houses, vehicles are burnt. Many pastors, bishops, fathers, sisters have been killed and burnt alive. Myself and Suphala have fled away and are hiding in another place. Children are in the orphanage along with some male staff. There is no safety for them. We have asked police forces [for help] and the police are on our campus. Still our people do not feel safety. Thousands of people are coming with weapons and attacking leaders and organizations.

Kindly pray for our protection. Today we talked to our staff and all are safe at this moment. Please pray and share this with others. Thank you so much for your love, prayers and support.

With Prayers,

Siani & Suphala

We are on our way home from the WCS-India conference. This year the conference was held in a center in Hyderabad. The temperature was 104 degrees during the day but the enthusiasm of the conferees was almost as high. Ceiling fans helped a great deal since we didn’t have an air-conditioned meeting room.

The speakers were Charles Manuel, WCS-India board president; Dr. Vimala PunithaKumar, president of St. Christopher’s Teachers College; Aarti (I will fill the last name in later) a psychologist who works with children and teachers; Dr. Ken Gnanakan, widely known for his work in theology, the environment, and many other areas; and me.

In spite of the warm weather there were many who said this conference was the best one we have had. I think that is because of the teams and games arranged by Avitha. One would never think of sitting around a campfire in such weather but they did and laughed so much that some of them had trouble sleeping remembering the jokes and rest of the fun.

The really great part of this conference is that the WCS-India board composed of Charles, Avitha, and Lillian, is now a true partner of WCS. The India board will make all decisions concerning conferences, topics, and speakers. They also will make the decisions that concern projects to be supported.

I am thrilled about this turn of events because I have such admiration for that board!

Gloria Stronks

In Hyderabad, India we visited a school that was so much in need I felt like weeping. The school serves the children of beggars. Many of the children do not have enough to eat but the school can’t afford to feed them, nor does it have space to do so. The school gets absolutely no financial aid from the government because of the restrictions that would then be placed on their ethics-based teaching.

The people of Beggar’s Valley often have jobs that bring in a very small amount of money each day. Sometimes their job is begging. Some of the women begin their job of sweeping the streets late at night after the traffic has lessened.

We saw 50 children in a tiny classroom, about the size of an office in the U.S., squeezed onto benches with no desk tops in front of them. Even little grade one children were writing on books held on their laps. The children in this school were impressively neat in their school uniforms. The girls had heavy, shiny black braids tied with black ribbons. The children sat so close together on metal benches that they could hardly move freely.

Most of the teaching was done with work-book type books. The instruction was rote with the teacher saying a line and all of the children repeating it. When the teacher asked a question the children answered in unison. Many of the teachers have a limited amount of education because there aren’t funds to pay the salaries of certified teachers. Because there were no desks, the children held their notebooks on their laps and wrote that way. In spite of the conditions, their writing was almost perfect.

In spite of the teaching and learning circumstances, the children score well on the exams given by the government. The exams measure the content of what the students have memorized rather than expecting the children to use that content to think in a new way.

The teachers and school leaders are eager to learn about sustainability, but by sustainability they simply mean the answer to: how can we keep this school in existence? How can we pay for food for our children? Answering those questions is so extremely difficult, and we know that no one from the West can answer them.

Gloria Stronks

We just finished a visit to a school for impoverished children in Bangalore. Over 600 children are taught in this slum school. Many of the girls gave us hand-picked flowers and the 8th graders had made badges for us of ribbon and paper. As we toured the classes, the children looked to us so expectantly, like there was something really great that we would say to them that will change their lives. We stood there so helplessly, knowing we are so ordinary.

A few of the children had asked their principal if they could share their stories with us. They held back tears as they told us of their terrible family life. Their father is an alcoholic who beats them and their mother all the time. They rarely have any food and their father locks them out of the house so that they have to study under a street light and do not get any rest. Still they come to school. School is the only safe place in their life. I think if not for the devotion they feel for their ill mother, they would run away. But I can see in their eyes that they worry for their mother.

The little girl works as a house maid after schools is finished in order to provide food for the family. Her little brothers also work. They are 11, 12 and 13 years old. They said their father often takes the money they earn and spends it on alcohol.

The principal told us that if we would just listen to their stories, it would help to lift their burden. Another boy of about 12 told us a similar story. He wants to be a preacher when he graduates from school, but first he has to survive his childhood.

We did our best to encourage these children. We told them not to give up. We told them we hoped their father would be convicted of his wrong-doing and know love and peace so that his behavior would change. We secretly wished we could rescue them.

These are the stories of children who attend schools throughout India. For many children, were it not for their school, they would not be fed a healthy meal, they would not receive encouragement and praise, they would never learn to read. Hundreds of thousands of children still wait for schools in India.

If you help to build a school in India, you will truly help to write happy endings for children such as these. WCS needs your help in India to help more children. You CAN do something to help ease their suffering.

-Gypsy Meadows, WCS