Taru Kumar thought Rahman* was crying because he did not want to come to school that day. 

Deepam Primary School is one of the ways ITMI’s Taru and David Kumar minister to the families living in a slum in Bangalore, India. The slum is often referred to as “Little Pakistan” because of its high percentage of Muslim residents. 

Most live in lean-tos and shanties, narrowly sandwiched between the shacks of other families. 

As Taru tried to comfort the small Indian boy, his friend, also a Deepam student, approached them.

“Mam, he is crying because his father burnt his leg because he failed to go to Arabic class.”

Taru felt a stab of pain sear through her heart. But this kind of report isn’t all that uncommon for David and Taru to hear. 

Later that day, they discovered the same had happened to another Deepam student.

These students come from families who often can’t feed them 3 meals a day. Kid-centered learning activities aren’t really available to these children, so their parents are so pleased when their kids get to prepare for school with Taru and her four staff members.  

Two nutritious meals are included every day, and the children are so happy to receive them. 

At Deepam, students prepare for grade school by learning to read, write, hold crayons and pencils, and function in school, all while learning about Jesus and that they can call on Him. 

Deepam students learn to call on Jesus. 

*name changed for privacy