India (MNN) — Hundreds of people in northeastern India were killed when ethnic tensions flared in Manipur state on May 3, 2023.
“Two years later, there is still tension. There’s still unrest in this community, and unfortunately, kids are being affected as a result,” Mission India’s Raina Miller says.
Persistent unrest led to the resignation of Manipur’s Chief Minister Biren Singh in February, followed by the imposition of President’s Rule. More about that here.
Violent clashes between Manipur’s Meitei and Kuki communities have displaced thousands of people in the past two years, destroying homes, churches, and schools.
Gaman fell behind in school due to two years of unrest in Manipur.
(Photo courtesy of Mission India)
“A young boy named Gaman was in first grade when the violence first broke out in Manipur. He wasn’t able to go to school for months, and as a first grader, that’s a big deal; he quickly forgot everything that he learned,” Miller says.
“Once things settled down in his area enough to go back to school, he was really behind and discouraged.”
Thankfully, Mission India’s partners began a year-long Children’s Bible Club in Gaman’s hometown. “Our Bible clubs feature time each day spent on tutoring, so Taber, as the Bible club leader, was able to help [Gaman] with his schoolwork,” Miller says.
“[Tutoring took place] while doing tons of fun activities like sports and games, not to mention all the Bible-based activities like memorizing Scripture and singing songs about Jesus.”
After months of hard work and help from the Bible club leader, Gaman caught up to his classmates. Best of all, he learned more about Christ and grew in his faith.
Children’s Bible Clubs are a critical asset to parents living in poverty. “They work such long hours that they can’t be home to help with homework, and they can’t pay for a tutor,” Miller says.
Through Mission India’s new Pathfinder program, you can provide a clear path to Jesus for every child in India.
Typically, $36 supports 18 kids in a year-long Children’s Bible Club, but “Right now, your first 12 months of gifts will be matched, so $36 per month will reach 36 children in India for the first year of your giving,” Miller says.
Header and story images courtesy of Mission India.
