Asian Partners International

Part two

The leaders drove the Lubbock visitors to the station in Kolkata where they were greeted by the railway children.  These children are homeless and they either beg or sell contraband that is stolen or they have some means of exploitation to gain money for their paltry existence.  The children take a break from their begging to visit with the counselors three times a week.  The counselors make friends with them and discuss how they can escape the situation in which they have been forced.  Some of the children have voluntarily chosen the railway life and they are unaware that there are other options.   Everyone went to a nearby restaurant and the children happily ate a full meal while visiting with counselors and one another.  There was much noise and excitement because of the meal and the pictures that were taken.  They all wanted their pictures taken and to see the resulting snapshot.  The first relationships between counselors and children are usually made with the older children.  Sometimes it will take two months before they trust enough to bring other children to participate in the free meal.

 One child was new to the station he was abandoned there just the day before.  The young boy was disoriented and in an obvious daze.  Just after the groups’ arrival he nearly walked in front of a moving train. Thankfully he was helped by one of the other children while members of the group shouted at him to become aware of the train.  He was wearing a long shirt with no pants, shoes or underwear.  Praise God he was not hurt!  Hopefully he can be persuaded to come to the home so that API can tend to his basic needs, learn his story and later minister to him.