GAJOL BETHESDA BOYS HOME AND GIRLS HOME, MALDA, WEST BENGAL

Gajol is a town in the district of Malda in West Bengal, a diverse place with many different religions, tribes and classes. The economy of the district ranks as one of the most underdeveloped districts in West Bengal. Malda has a low per capita income, low yield per unit area, poor industrialisation, shortage of capital and entrepreneurship, a lack of infrastructure and a large labour surplus. The district has no known mineral resources and agriculture remains the main stay. Mango trade and silk manufacture are the main economic activities of the area. The Indian Planning commission estimates that the proportion of people living below the poverty line in 1999–2000 in West Bengal was 31.9%, which is well above the all India average of 26.10%.

The houseparents of the two childrens’ homes in Gajol are Pastor Stalin and Jissa Thomas. These homes provide shelter for 14 boys and 8 girls of from 7-14 years of age, who have been rescued from destitute situations. As well as receiving food, clothing, schooling and loving care the boys are engaged in a Foundations for Life training program. Over a period of three years this provides the boys with skills usually gained in a home environment including hygiene and toileting, eating and manners, responding to care, communication and social skills, self esteem, regular sleeping patterns and overcoming violent and aggressive behaviour. They all go to government schools and are encouraged to study hard and become people of influence in the society. The boys like to play football and cricket, while the girls like to dance and play indoor games.

One particular story about the children in Gajol is of Chumki Roy, age 8 years and her brother Biplab, age 10. They lost their mother when they were very small. She had problems with the father and one day she committed suicide by burning herself. Little Chumki found it difficult to forget the incident of her mother’s death as it happened in front of her eyes. The family was unable to look after them and so they were sent to the Home. Chumki used to wake up with nightmares of her mother’s death. But today she has become better due to the prayers and love and care of her home parents. She is a little slow in studying but is a very bubbly child with a lot of life. Her brother Biplab is a very smart boy and is a topper in his class.

The names and ages of the Boys Home

1. Nathan Johns Tudu - 8 yrs
2. SujoyHasda - 9 yrs
3. TarunBaidya - 9 yrs
4. KudiramBaskey - 11 yrs
5. Ashish Kumar Mandal - 12 yrs
6. John Murmu - 13 yrs
7. ManikTudu - 13 yrs
8. DhanajayHemrom - 14 yrs
9. BiswanathHasda -  9 yrs
10. JitenTudu - 8 yrs
11. AbhishekBesra - 9 yrs
12. Biplab Roy - 10 yrs
13. RiskoTudu - 9 yrs
14. ThoduMurmu - 10 yrs

The names and ages of the Girls Home

1. Sonia Hasda - 10 yrs
2. Mitali Mardi - 10 yrs
3. PriyankaMurmu - 7 yrs
4. BharathiTudu - 7 yrs
5. RanjitaBaskey - 10 yrs
6. Sabina Kisku - 7 yrs
7. SonothiMurmu - 7 yrs
8. Chumki Roy - 8 yrs

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