Volunteer Stories

A Volunteer's Story

I volunteered with EMC for twelve months having completed a theology degree at a bible college in the UK. On arrival I was assigned to two separate projects, which turned out to be exactly what I had wanted. 

In the Sealdah project, I was part of a small team working with children and young people who lived rough in the railway station. We focused on providing a free healthy meal in a local eatery, a drop-in centre where the young people could wash, relax and play games, safe for a few hours of the hassles of the station. We also helped and encouraged them to access appropriate facilities to reduce their dependence on addictive substances and in general mentored the young people. 

Secondly I helped in the Adult Literacy project helping with the classes teaching English, some general knowledge and playing football. This was a free service for young guys from one of the nearby slums.
I saw a lot of difficult things while I was in Kolkata – particularly in the railway station itself. The scale of the deprivation can totally take your breath away, and kick you in the ribs - so to speak. Being here gave me a very different perspective God’s heart – He wants us to do something about it, and He has left the responsibility in the hands of His Church. Working with EMC was a great opportunity to work with a well-established N.G.O. in this difficult environment – and to see how they were working out His mission in this huge city.

A year on since completing my 12 months at EMC, I am now married and back living in Kolkata. We plan to be here for a while. 

Short Term Volunteer Reflections

Our work onsite with Emmanuel Ministries is finished and we feel so blessed that God would let us wrap up well. We were able to meet with each group of teachers as well as with the leadership, and they graciously welcomed our suggestions, observations and thoughts. 

We've been tremendously blessed by their faithfulness in each of their ministries, seeing how tirelessly they love the children in their care and being hungry to grow for one purpose, to better serve their children. 

We've been quite humbled by the number of pressures which children face outside of the classrooms and could only listen quietly as they passionately explained to us the homes and communities from which they come. 

We've seen how Emmanuel Ministries Calcutta staff, workers, and leaders not only love the children, but families and communities as well, through various holistic programs, including micro financing.
It has truly been a privilege seeing and being part of this wonderful family at Emmanuel

--Tammy Wang, Philadelphia, PA