Story of Praia

Praia herself has a long history in Kolkata. Raised in a Christian family, Praia grew up with a middle class background and spent her early years navigating her school classes and living with her family. In her twenties, Praia's parents arranged for her to get married to a man from the city. The marriage proved to be disastrous. The man she married regularly abused and beat her severely, taking out his anger and frustrations physically on his wife. Praia considered leaving, and after the beatings continued, she finally did—returning to her family after a year. Her husband subsequently remarried, without consulting Praia, and the couple eventually divorced. His second wife met an end that Praia likely avoided by leaving, as her former husband, in a moment of rage, took his second wife and doused her with gasoline, setting her on fire. The wife died and the husband was arrested and sent to prison.

Now alone, Praia began her initial volunteering with work in the city. Shaji was the first to train and work with her, and a relationship of trust eventually developed. Shaji went on leave from Kolkata as his work with OM led him to new ministry in Gudjerat. After a few years, Shaji returned and founded KCM, which Praia eagerly agreed to work for. She volunteered her services for free, as there was no means of paying her in the early years of the organization.

This began in 2007, and Praia tirelessly works to care for and reflect Jesus to the women and children of the Bagmari slum today. Day by day, Praia meets with children in the community to lead schooling and tutoring sessions for children from age 3 to age 18. In the morning, Pria holds schooling for the youngest of the children. In the afternoon, old teenagers filter in and she begins tutoring for each of their respective classes. Education Is one of the primary hopes for building a better community and life in Kolkata, and children & families tirelessly seek to excel in a system where the odds are often stacked against them due to overcrowding and a lack of basic necessities. Accordingly, schooling is a crucial season for most people’s long term futures and is a strategic place to minister to children in need.

After these tutoring sessions, Pria proceeds to host meetings with various women in the slum. During these meetings, the women explore the Word, discuss the issues their families are going through, and take time to pray. It is a time of sincere spiritual openness, a great place for the Good News to be proclaimed and investigated.

Praise God for the faithfulness the Lord has shown Praia in walking with her through trials and tribulations that have bred perseverance and strength. Please pray that the Lord would continue to work in mighty ways through Praia as she seeks to advance His work in the slums of the poorest of the poor. Pray that KCM would be a beacon of hope in the Bagmari slum where she works, and that the Good News would be made known in the women and children she works with!