Hey Calcutta Team!

It’s finally time to give you a few more details about your trip! This Spring semester is going to be an incredible one where you’re going to see God do great things in you, and in the people of Calcutta. It will be hard at times, but know that it’s all worth it. Get excited!

You guys will be working with Asha Mission Children’s Home. They currently have two operating children’s homes. One is located in Delhi, where they care for 27 orphaned and abandoned children from the Delhi and Bihar regions of India. The second is located in Kolkata (Calcutta), where they have a small home in the beginning stages, with 6 boys from the state of West Bengal. The goal of Asha Mission is to provide a place of refuge and care to children who have never known a stable home environment. By way of education, access to healthcare, and a consistent source of nutrition, the children are finding stability and opportunities which they have never known prior to Asha Mission.

Their hope is to maintain a family- like environment by not exceeding thirty children per home and through the leadership of a married couple within each home. Through this set up, each child will have the opportunity to be individually known and cared for according to their own needs and personalities. Asha Mission’s hope is to have children’s homes established throughout India, and through their work see the lives of children transformed and renewed.

While your team is with Asha Mission, the majority of your ministry time will be with the orphans. However, you may also hold some programs in local schools and colleges, as well as spend some time with two local leper colonies, encouraging the children and the parents alike.

Ministry sensitivities: Clothing must be extremely modest. No tank tops or similar attire. Ladies must always cover shoulders, upper arms and legs. Both men and women must always have legs covered in public (no shorts or short skirts). Men should bring a collared shirt for church. Even when lounging around in living areas and relaxing, the team must observe strict clothing guidelines in order to respect culture. You’ll also need to be aware of the way that men and women interact. Your ministry host will brief you on appropriate behavior and cultural norms.

Your lodging will most likely be at the Asha Children’s Home.

Language spoken in Calcutta is Bengali.

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There is a general packing list that can be found in your Profile by going to Mobilization Info tab and then to the preparation section. In addition to those items, you should also bring:

• Health Information (proof of any required vaccines)
• Copies of ID, passport, and Indian visa packed in various places.
• Sleeping Pad (ThermaRest is a good brand.)
• Mess Kit (A basic camping-type bowl and utensils)

·         *This is completely optional, but if you want you can bring any small toys/candy for the children, etc. VBS tools.

These are already listed on the general packing list but I want to emphasize them:

• Sleeping bag and pillow
• Headlamp (flashlights are fine too…but headlamps are AWESOME because you get to have both hands free. Hands-free is optimum for going to the bathroom outside at night, reading while your teammates are sleeping, and even for dance parties!)
• Water bottle (Nalgene brand is really great.)
• Outlet Adaptor (You need an adaptor, not a converter. You probably only need a converter if you're bringing something high powered like a blow dryer. You can get an international adaptor at Wal-mart or Target.)

As always, if you have any questions about anything listed here, please let me know!

Stacy Povian

Email: thepassport@adventures.org

Phone: 770-983-1060 x 321