The Barwala Christian School, under the sponsorship of North India Christian Mission and located in Barwala, India, is a co-educational day boarding school for orphans, semi- orphans, and socially and financially deprived children from the northwest region of India. Our first school was started in 1997 with just eleven students and one teacher. In 2004 the school was recognized by the Government of Haryana State and follows the State Syllabus. Children can start in Kindergarten and study through High School. Today there are 250 students plus teachers and ground staff at the main campus in Barwala.
In India’s slums children and adults are being educated through NICM basic education classes. Our Pastors, along with church volunteers, are teaching students through the 4th grade level. After passing their 4th grade the students are eligible to enter government schools where they can study to receive a high school degree. While in the NICM schools they are introduced to Christ. This has brought wonderful changes into their lives and often they become Christians. Some of them have brought their entire families to know the Lord.
It costs only $25.00 per month to sponsor a student. This includes class room teaching, books, school supplies, teaching from God’s word, and a warm meal at each class session. Contact NICM if you are interested in sponsoring a student: [email protected].
One Woman’s Testimony: The Blessing of Education
Mayawati (Name changed) was determined to prove she wasn’t too old to learn how to read and write, and escape a lifetime of illiteracy, poverty and hatred. Mayawati didn’t even own a pair of proper slippers or shoes and she always walked barefoot in the thorny, hard fields in the hot sun or pouring rain. She and her husband struggled to earn enough to eat each day. She was trapped and she couldn’t see a way out of this life of frustration and poverty.
Then, 49-year-old Mayawati found the courage to enroll herself in an Adult Literacy Class run by NICM in Barwala. Mayawati’s family and neighbors mocked her, saying, “What good will education do at your age? You will have to live the life as it is, as this curse comes from God for your previous sins.” But Mayawati never missed a day of class. After her long day of labor in the fields she walked more than 2 miles just to attend her classes. Mayawati worked hard to learn how to read in her language and do basic counting in math. Soon, for the first time in her life, Mayawati signed her name and counted money that she received from her work. In her class, Mayawati also began reading the Bible. She learned to pray to Jesus and often asked her teacher to pray with her. Last month Mayawati accepted Jesus as her Savior.
Mayawati doesn’t work in the fields anymore. With the skills she gained at her Adult Literacy Class, and Sewing Centre training, Mayawati began a cloth shop with her husband. She stitches clothes, and her husband sells them in the shop and also on bicycle from house to house.
Today, Mayawati encourages other women in her village to join an Adult Literacy Class and find God’s blessing. She is a sweet Christian lady, and NICM is blessed to have such dedicated volunteers.