In February, we rented a new space in Kidderpore red light area.  We felt the need to have a center because we are sponsoring children in the area, and haven’t had a proper place to meet with them.  When I and the local team first visited the space, we were worried that it might be too basic.  The space was dark, damp, dirty, and decrepit. Our four little rooms were down a tiny corridor with no windows to the outside, only to the corridor.    There were an alarming number of bugs.  We all wondered if it would be possible to rehabilitate this space into a suitable place to work. 

As we surveyed the space, and despaired of making anything good out of it,  three little girls wandered in from the street to see what we were doing.  One of them, Malaya, is in our sponsorship program.  You could see the cautious hope in their little faces: could something good be about to happen?  Their spark of hope convinced us to push through our reservations and carry on.  Perhaps this humble space is not our forever home in Kidderpore, but it can be a stepping stone on the way to something better.   

Two weeks later, after extensive repairs, building shelves, breaking down some walls, adding some doors and sinks and a new toilet, and a window mural painted by visiting artist Dan Roy, I am starting to see the potential.  When the lockdown ends and center can open, we plan to offer computer and English classes, and to provide children a safe place to study and play while their moms are working.  Our Education Program Director Maura will teach library and art classes, and we will invite local artists and educators, as well as international volunteers, to bring their talents and ideas to the space.  We are starting simply, but like everything we have done, it will grow organically as we learn more about what the women and children of this community want and need.