Partnership Ref.:	IND28a
Commenced:	25/04/2026
Funding Status:	No Current Donor
Partnership Type:	Orphans & Vulnerable Children, Training / Education
Funding Size:	$0 - $2,999
Annual Budget:	US$ 2,643

Partnership Overview

James* is the pastor of a small brethren church near the airport in Kolkata. For several years, the church operated an after-school tutoring programme for about 50 children, a Sunday School and regular Vacation Children's Programmes. However, during COVID, these programmes were suspended, and the person who financially supported them was unable to continue providing funds. 

James and his wife Philippa*, and their team have a deep desire to serve their community and are burdened to start a free tuition centre for poor and underprivileged students. Many children in their area are vulnerable; they lack proper guidance, study support, and a healthy environment for learning. To help meet this need, they want to begin regular tuition classes along with a nutritious meal for every child who attends (fruit, a boiled egg or biscuits etc.) as they believe this small step can be a great blessing in shaping their future and encouraging their families. The classes will be Monday to Friday from 4:30 – 7:30 pm.   

History of Partnership

BHW personnel first met James' brother Tom* at an international conference in Rome in 2019.  After that meeting, the BHW New Partnership Facilitator visited him in India and saw the ministry of the trust they run. It was during that visit that he first met James when he visited him at church and home and spent two days travelling with him to assess their programmes. In July 2021, BHW commenced a partnership with three programmes (IND21a, b and c). 

James is an unassuming, gentle man with a strong commitment to his community. He lives among them and is giving his life to serving them. It was indicative that in their modest home, they had a young man living with them who had been kicked out of his family for his faith. He is good at organising programmes, and after spending some time visiting the tutoring class, we were impressed with his leadership and his team. 

Due to COVID-related travel restrictions, we were unable to visit again, but in view of our relationship with Tom, and having already commenced three projects with him, in June 2022, the BHW Exec approved the commencement of the tailoring centre in this area.  In late 2025, James approached us about assisting him to recommence the tutoring programme, and in April 2026, this project began again.   

Beneficiaries

40 - 50 poor children will benefit from receiving the extra tuition and the meal. As well as the children being assisted, the family of each child becomes an indirect beneficiary. 

What We Like About The Partnership

They have established good relationships in the community and are well respected. 
The whole church is behind this initiative.
They come under the trust we already partner with, so there is external accountability. 
James is a humble, good man with a strong vision of empowering his community. 

  

Key People

Leadership Profile

James is from a Christian family. He became a Christian when he was 14 years old. Due to a financial crisis in the family, he did not complete secondary school, only studying to grade 10. He then went to BBTI (Bengal Bible Training Institute IND17) in 1992 for two years for theological study. After that, he went to Canning for two years with his brother Tom for practical training in gospel work. He was also involved in the Emmaus Correspondence Ministry and gospel outreach work for four years in Jamtara, Jharkhand State. In 1999 he heard the call from the Lord to missions in Kolkata for a church-planting ministry among the youth living in the slums. His call is particularly for unsaved, non-Christian people.

In 2002 he married Philippa, and together they serve their community in the ministry. They have one son.   

Vision And Annual Strategy

Vision 

Their vision is to give the local children opportunities to excel in their studies so they can emerge from poverty and to build relationships within the community. They want to see many children from this community flourish. 

Strategy

To run a daily, free tuition centre each afternoon of the school week and provide a snack for each child. James and Philippa run a sewing programme (IND28), but not all the girls are good at sewing or interested, and this project is good for both boys and girls. 

Annual Budget

The annual budget is US$2,643 for:
- Teachers' honoraria - two teachers
- Study materials - whiteboard, markers, educational charts, body parts charts, maps, etc.
- Cleaning & hygiene support staff 
- Food for the children
- Utility expenses 

 

*names have been changed 
*photos are stock images and not of the actual project