Widows Care Inagurated in Kolkata – Hundreds Benefitted

On 23rd June 2011, International Widows Day, Believers Church Kolkata Diocese launched its Widows Care Ministry in Vidwa Para, in the islands of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. One hundred ninety-two widows from Vidwa Para and nearby islands in three panchayats participated in the program. They ranged in age from 23 to 85 years old.

As per the available statistics, out of the 40 million widows in India, West Bengal records the highest population of widows among the states. There are several thousand widows living on the islands alone, and Believers Church identified 192 of them who were in dire need of food and shelter.

Among the guests who attended the inauguration were Mr. Madan Halder, Shri Soumitra Sarkar and Shri Ranjit Naya (panchayat presidents). The Honorable Bishop Dr. Juria Bardhan and other clergy also came to launch the program.

Bishop Juria Bardhan encouraged the widows by speaking of God’s special care for widows and orphans, the special concern of our honorable Metropolitan, and the plan of Believers Church to love and care for widows. He emphasized the fact that Believers Church did not come simply to do a program and go away, but plans to live with them and be part of their lives, in joy and sorrow. Hope was visible on the faces of the women.

Bishop Juria also dedicated a team of Sisters of Compassion to care for the widows. At the end of the program, each widow was given a sari and a food packet.

Two tuition centers were also opened to educate the widows’ children. One center is located in Vidwa Para with 36 students and the other in Baidya Para with 44 students. Tuition is given on week days to help the students in their education.

All the students were encouraged to excel in their studies, and assured all possible help from the church if they did well. As a result, the students and mothers were extremely happy and grateful to our honorable Metropolitan Dr. K.P. Yohannan for his love and care.