Finding family in India
“Their joy becomes a rebuttal to the harsh realities that stare them in the face.”
Jenny Burr
Spur Ottawa Correspondent
Carli and Ben Albrecht may not officially be parents yet, but they have a group of kids they dearly love. These kids live in Nagpur, India, at Prem Sewa Shikshan Sangh—a children’s home and school where Carli and Ben have been volunteering since 2015.
More than 1,000 children live on the 17-acre grounds of Prem Sewa, which was founded by Frank Juelich, 30 years ago. Carli and Ben first connected with the ministry in 2013, when Juelich came and spoke at their home church, Parkway Road Pentecostal Church in Greely, Ontario.
“He half-jokingly told us we could come live in India anytime,” shares Carli. Two years later, they arrived in Nagpur with only their backpacks and no idea of how they would contribute.
“We started off like most volunteers to the school, teaching English and music,” Carli says. “I asked if I could start teaching an art class and some of the boys began to show unbelievable talent. As time went on it became much more than a teaching gig. We both felt like we were parenting a lot of these boys, who are away from their families or who don’t have any parents at all.”
Ben and Carli began noticing the challenges the boys and girls face, as low-caste citizens. Malnutrition is one of the largest hurdles. They started wondering how they could help these children get the nourishment they need and, at the same time, help them in becoming somewhat self-sufficient.
The solution came through using a Society6 website to display and sell the children’s artwork. The site also takes care of printing and shipping.
“It has really empowered the boys in ways I didn’t expect. Art gives them a release and a way to express themselves. It has also allowed the boys to buy fruit on a weekly basis and some of the fruit has been sent to the girls’ hostel. The boys have gone from only getting fruit at Christmas, to having it two or three times a week,” states Carli.
The boys are shocked that people are interested in buying their artwork, especially when the buyers are from Canada. Carli says when their work gets purchased it motivates them to work harder and become more creative in their drawings and paintings.
One of the aspiring artists is Tarachand, which translates as StarMoon. Carli says he is very talented for his age. His paintings are free hand and are often done by memory.
“We’ve become more passionate about creating opportunities for them to rise above the difficulties they face,” says Ben. “Seeing a smile on their faces when they receive a piece of fruit is one example of this. Creating space for artistic expression is another.”
Being able to provide the children with a reason to find joy and a way to express their joy allows them some power over their situation.
“Their joy becomes a rebuttal to the harsh realities that stare them in the face every day,” Ben states.
“We hope to see the children rise above their situation; empowered and liberated to become who they desire to be, unrestricted by their current poverty and powerlessness within the world.”
You can view the boys’ art on their Society6 page.
Similar Articles
Friends for Dinner become roommates
It all started last Thanksgiving. Charmaine Kofler, pastor of Bridlewood Community Church of the Nazarene, hosted four international students for as part of a Friends for Dinner holiday meal. Yet, God had bigger plans […]
The prayer that beat the Taliban
The horrifying ordeal of Joshua Boyle and his family burst into international news when they were suddenly rescued from their Taliban-affiliated captors on October 11, 2017. The most awesome part the story, however, is how God stepped in to answer devoted prayers, where every human […]
Embracing women in crisis pregnancies
Facing an unplanned pregnancy, women often feel desperate and afraid. Anxious about how others will see them, they can be drawn to the quick “fix” of abortion. A ministry at Peace Tower Church exposes this lie by coming […]
The table where everyone can be family
While many ministries provide free meals for students and those in need, The Open Table has a somewhat unique goal: they aim for all who come to feel accepted and for those who aren’t Christians to experience what a church community feels like […]
Public Bible reading encourages Pembroke believers
Late this spring, a group of about 40 people gathered at the Pembroke Marina. The weather report predicted thunder storms all afternoon, but that did not deter these people. This was a motivated and determined group. The group of believers were continuing a 16-year-old tradition […]
The revival potential at Algonquin
At Algonquin College, it can truly be said, “God is in this place”. Beyond the various Bible studies, prayer gatherings, and other campus outreaches, God has strategically placed His workers in the halls of the college. The hunger is evident, especially […]