FAQ's regarding PREMSEWA

Q: How many Children do you have?

A: At Nagpur we will have about 600 boys. The girls home will have about 250 girls.

Q: Are the children all orphans?

A: No. We have only few orphans. But many children have only one parent, either only father or only mother.

Q: How do you get these children?

A: Initially we took only tribal children from the tribe I translated the New Testament. As the Nagpur home grew and became known people from other parts brought children.

Q: How old is the smallest child?

A: As the children have to look after themselves and their clothes, we do not take them smaller than 5 years old.

Q: What do you provide for these children?

A: We provide food, shelter, education, medical care and spiritual training.

Q: How much do these children pay to stay in your hostel?

A: We charge nothing. We provide everything for free.

Q: How long can these children stay in your hostel?

A: In the past we kept children till they completed their education including Post Graduation. Now we made the cut-off after completing 12th.

Q: Where do these children go to school?

A: In Nagpur we have our own school from grade 1 to 12th in our compound. At the girls’ home the school is, for now, from grade 5 to 10th. The smaller girls go to a village school.

Q: Where do these children come from?

A: We have children from various tribal groups, some from as much as 700 km distance; we have children from towns and villages around Nagpur; we have children from different states; we have children from the Nagpur slums.

Q: Do the children stay year-round in the hostel?

A: The hostel is closed for the summer i.e. the middle of April till the middle of June. Only those who have nowhere to go stay all year round.

Q: Are all these children Christians?

A: No. The majority are Buddhists and Hindus; only about 25% Christians.

Q: How many staff do you have?

A: The girls’ home has a staff of 12. The Nagpur home has a staff of 65 which includes teachers.

Q: Do the staff work as volunteers?

A: No. All staff are on salary.

Q: Does the Indian Government financially support the work?

A: No! We do not get any support, financially or otherwise from the Indian Government.

Q: How do your raise your support?

A: We are responsible to raise our own support. At the present we are supported through various churches and individuals in Canada. Though we also receive occasional gifts from people and institutions outside of Canada.

Q: How much does it cost per child per month?

A: It costs about $20 US per month. This includes salary for the staff, maintenance, utilities, transport etc.