Children at Risk Category
09.27.2013
Leah Thapa was abandoned by her mother and father at a very early age. She is unaware of any family that she may have as she has no contact with blood relatives. Leah was brought to Duars Rural Development Program by a Pastor from a nearby village who knew of her very vulnerable situation. The Pastor knew the leader of Duars and the work that the ministry does. He knew that they not only ran a school for children called Cornerstone but they also had a small children’s home on the same property to provide care for abandoned and orphaned children just like Leah. Most of all, he knew Leah would be safe, cared for and loved at the home.
Leah enjoyed living there from the beginning. She is now 7 years old and has been living at the children’s home for the last 4 years. She also started school at Cornerstone and is currently in Grade 2. She has thrived in school and loves to study her second grade classes even after school hours. She is a shy but energetic girl who is always surrounded by her friends. Leah loves reading stories and gets creative with her friends at school as they make up different games to play at break.
Leah shares, “I am very happy to be here because I love the food and the studies.”
Leah acts as a big sister to many of the younger children who stay in the home. She helps them with cleaning and bathing. Sunday mornings, Leah can often be found at the front of the church, leading the congregation in songs.
Children who attend Cornerstone experience the love of Christ from caring adults and receive educational opportunities that will enable them to have a life outside of the tea plantations where many of the children’s families have been trapped as impoverished labourers for generations.
I am very happy to be here because I love the food and the studies
-Leah Thapa, Grade 2 Student at Cornerstone
Cornerstone has a positive reputation within the community and surrounding villages. The education provided is not only exceptional with trained teachers but also sincere in that everything that each child receives from school supplies, to lessons in Math, Science, or English, to a Christmas gift is done so with love and a genuine desire to see change and success in the lives of these children.
In our next blog, we will see a teacher’s perspective of Cornerstone school.
In order for Cornerstone to continue its impact and grow, we need help to complete the final phase of the building. Prayerfully consider your involvement in Cornerstone and be a part of ending the cycle of poverty in North Bengal, India!
Child sponsorship can completely alter the direction of the life of an impoverished child. Through our Sponsor A Child program you can help children learn to read, feed them nourishing meals and provide adequate clothing, and offer a child the opportunity to discover new life in Jesus!