Deborah Care Centre is an oasis where parents know their children are provided loving, safe and compassionate care. Most of the 40 children served have come from very simple one-room homes with tin-sheet roofs and no running water.
Life at Deborah Care Centre, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
As you walk down the hill and through the front door of the center, you will see shoes and sandals neatly lined up by the front door. This keeps the mats on the floor clean as the children sit on them. In the winter the children are bundled in their wool hats and sweaters, carrying their “Bethania Kids” backpacks. The center has one large activity room, a kitchen, and restrooms. There is a play area in the backyard. If you were to visit, you would be treated to recitations that would include the Lord’s Prayer, Bible verses, and books of the Old and New Testament.
The 40 young children in the early childhood program (ages 3-5) begin arriving at 8:30 am. Every day begins and ends with prayer. The children are taught scripture verses, action songs, Bible and morality stories and how to pray. During the day they also learn how to count, how to recite the alphabet, basic hygiene and correct social interactions with staff and fellow students. This routine aids in the students’ development of personal discipline. Play is included in the day’s schedule with dancing, music and drama being their favorite activities. The students are fed two nutritious meals every day and provided healthy snacks. When the children’s parents pick them up at 4:30 pm, they are so grateful that their children have spent the day in the protective care of Bethania Kids.
When the children graduate from the early childhood program and begin school, they return to Deborah Care Centre from 4:30 to 6:30 pm for after-school care. This ensures the 40 children (ages 6-14) continue in the healthy habits they already learned and that they will succeed in school. They are fed a snack, get help with their schoolwork from the two teachers on staff, have keyboard lessons once a week, and continue to hear of God’s love for them.
Meet a Child at Deborah Centre: Johanna Blessy
Johanna Blessy is a 4-year-old girl, who has been in the Deborah Early Childhood program for three years. When she first arrived, the staff noticed she often trembled, startled easily and frequently, and cried for no apparent reason. A home visit revealed a household in which her mother and father constantly fought and argued. Her mother had also attempted suicide. By God’s grace, the staff provided her mother counseling and rescued her from her suicidal tendencies. Since coming under the protective wings of Deborah Care Centre, where she feels safe and loved, Johanna is now calm and happy. She started praying in her home before meals, and her family is now reflecting the new-found peace and joy that Johanna has brought home from Bethania Kids.
Staff of the Deborah Care Centre
Under the loving and caring vigilance of the staff, all of the children at Deborah Care Centre are given individual attention, and their academic, physical and emotional progress is monitored. Home visits are made regularly to speak with parents and assess the children’s home environment. The staff also provides hygiene and other public health education classes for the families and the community.
Four teachers, a cook, and an assistant care for the children of Deborah Care Centre.
Teachers: Chithra R, Josephin A Antonysamy, Jerman D’Souza, Jothilakshmi M Naidu
Others: R Shanthi, Cook; Vimala S, Assistant.
History of the Deborah Care Centre
Founder Bob Granner was instrumental in starting Deborah Day Care Centre. Mr. Prasanna, a local committee member and a student of Bob Granner’s at Kodaikanal International School, and his friend Mr. Raguvaran, the Panchayat Councilor, also played a key role. The Public Welfare Society of Ugarte Nagar owned the Deborah building, which was in poor condition and not in use. Mr. Prasanna and Mr. Raguvaran funded renovations and provided the influence needed to start the center, which opened in 2005. Deborah Day Care Centre was also named by Bob Granner. Gethsy Jeyapalan was the original coordinator.
How Can You Help?
May your sponsorship of Deborah Care Centre bring you into a closer relationship with your Lord as you provide love and care for his children.
- Make a gift to support children like those at Deborah Care Centre. $35/month or $420/year provides for the needs of one child.
- Churches and individuals can make gifts to support the Deborah Day Care Centre for a month or an entire year.
Make a difference in the lives of our children today!
There are countless ways to participate in this vibrant ministry and share God’s love with the children at Bethania Kids.
