“These teenage girls from an orphanage in Kolkata (Calcutta), India were abused by their parents or rescued from the streets, but wanted to continue their education. We are glad to sponsor their education so that they can attend school and fulfill their dreams.”

Natascha and Debbie Yogachandra have met with the ten teenage girls who will be under the care of Hope is Life Foundation for the next few years as they continue their education. They are: Kabita, Puja, Ayesha, Tanuja, Tanu, Barnali, Puja, Jhuma, Moni and Mina (surnames withheld).

In April, 2007, we visited an orphanage in Kolkata, the City of Joy, in the state of West Bengal, India, managed by the All Bengal Women’s Union. There I met teenage girls who were abused by their parents, rescued from the streets or sold by their grandparents. All wanted to continue their education, and all had dreams to become someone in their life.

“We met with the President and the members of the Union on how we can support the girls to continue their education. The President told us that these girls had just come to her a couple of days ago requesting if they could go to school. The President had to say no because they didn’t have the funds to send them to school. She told me she knew that God had sent us, which, of course, brought tears to my eyes.”

During our meeting with the management of the orphanage, we agreed to work with them to support ten teenage girls to keep them in school. (left to right) Mrs. Amita Sen, Gen. Secretary, Debbie Yogachandra, Mrs. Ratna Sen, President of All Bengal Women’s Union and Natascha Yogachandra

“I had a chance to just casually talk to all the girls. Some of them speak really good English and it was really fun talking to them just about the stuff that teens talk about! I can’t wait to go back and see how these girls fulfill their goals in life!”

Highlights:

Puja, after her mother’s suicidal death, was abused by her father, sold to an outsider by grandparents, and received shelter in an orphanage. She is 17 years old and now wants to continue her education. She wants to become a teacher.

Kabita, 16 years old, was abandoned by her family and found lying on the streets of Kolkata physically wounded and exploited. She wants to become a nurse and now she will be able to attend school.

Barnali is 16 years old. She lost her father when she was young and her mother is mentally handicapped and lives on the streets of Kolkata. Now, Barnali will be able to attend school. Her dream is to become a teacher. (by Natascha Yogachandra)