His name is Pramanik.
Several of us stood in his house, barely fitting into the 100 square feet. The walls were woven together with bamboo sticks and leaves. During the Monsoon season, they covered it in tarps. Living as close as they do to the water, it’s a miracle their home was even standing as firm as it was on the cement floor. Four people – Pramanik, his brother, and his parents – called this modest shack home.
His young parents answered an influx of questions from us while his little brother coyly stared at the video camera I was holding. ?We learned Pramanik was relatively new to being sponsored, and that his father was having difficulty finding work because he’s been sick with jaundice.
I asked our translator to ask him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Maybe it’s the idealist in me, but I think that’s my favorite question to ask children. Their potential is beyond anything we can imagine.
What came out of his mouth surprised me.
Nothing.
He didn’t say a word.
You can watch the whole conversation in the video below. I couldn’t believe it.
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He doesn’t have a dream.
In situations like Pramanik’s, having a dream for the future isn’t a part of their reality. They just continue to live in the cycles of poverty their own parents, and grandparents, and great grandparents have known. Future plans and hopes don’t typically exist.
Because of someone’s $32 a month, Pramanik is going to his Compassion project everyday. They aren’t only just teaching him about God, and love, and feeding him, and caring for him…they’re painting a picture of his potential. He’s only seven years old now. He has at least ten more years of Compassion, and his sponsor (through his letters and support) to help him realize he can have a dream. Compassion has a plan for children to work through from the ages of 12 to 17, to evaluate their strengths and their passions and to put them on the right track to blowing those dreams out of the water.
Pramanik has a sponsor. He has hope. But there are 70 other children in the project (all of Compassion’s projects are conducted through a local church) who need sponsors.
They need to know they’re loved.
And they need to know they can dream.
Heck. They just need to know what a dream….is.
And can be.
Below is a video from the same project…it’s a great overview if you’re new to what Compassion International does. And if you have any questions about Compassion, sponsorship, anything…please let me know and I’ll answer them tomorrow night India time — you’ll read them on Tuesday afternoon.
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East India Flickr Account: HERE
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Comments
20 responses to “Pramanik”
Sat with my 15 yr old son and read and watch each video. Thank you for bring this alive in our home!
Lori?s last blog post..The Noticer by Andy Andrews
what is $32/mo if it means a child can have a dream? GREAT story you’ve shared here, Anne and a true testament to what Compassion is and is all about.
gorgeous, anne…thanks for those images…thanks for bringing back my memories of beautiful boys and girls in Madhapur (Jharkhand state)…thanks for drawing-out thoughts and prayers for Joy’s and my sweet Anupama in SW India, who we sponsor via Compassion.
how i would love to be there with all of you…
Thanks so much for the videos, Anne. All praise to God for using technology to bring glory to His Name!
Marla Taviano?s last blog post..the tulsa zoo
Our family sponsored a child one year ago because of your Mosquito net drive @ FlowerDust.net. Even though Paola lives in Honduras, you have brought her to life for me through these videos and blogging this trip. Thank you so much for sharing. Praying for you and your team every day!!
Susanne?s last blog post..Some Quick Links
This is a great post Anne!!!! It breaks my heart that that child had no dream. Praying for those 70 other children who still need sponsors and need to know the love and hope of Christ!
Tiffany?s last blog post..Pardon my dust
Wow. . . to us, the idea of the future is so important to us. What are we doing tomorrow? How have we planned for retirement? What do we want to be when we grow up?
Attention to the future is neutral, neither good nor bad. It’s how much we invest in things that are not here and now that can make thinking about the futre bad.
But what American child hasn’t thought about being an astronaut, a detective, a fighter jet pilot, or a firefighter? Is it so wrong to have these aspirations?
Every child deserves to dream. Maybe now they can.
Thanks for the eye-opener, Anne.
I wish I could sponsor them ALL. But my husband is mean and will only let me have one at a time :) I love seeing these children and being able to pray for their HOPE, for their DREAMS. I hope someday I can go and love on them firsthand like you are getting to. Praying for you guys constantly!
Thank you so much for sharing . The karate thing is so cool ! Hoping to get our Karate school to sponsor a child. Praying for you guys !
Wow, such beautiful words. My heart aches, but I?m thankful there’s hope and Compassion. Dreams can be captured and taught to a child no matter the age. Thanks for sharing their story. My kids are watching, too, and praying daily.
Every time Oharah sees your pic pop up on your blog, she says, “We need to pray for Ms. Anne right now!”
Eve Annunziato?s last blog post..WHO ARE YOUR VIPs?
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face to shine upon all of you and give you peace; now and forevermore.
Anne, I don’t know if you saw “Born into Brothels” before you left for Kolkata. There is a scene in it every time I think of it I cry.
Ajivit’s mom was just killed by her pimp (burned alive). He was kicked out of school for bad behavior and not likely to be re-admitted elsewhere. He was about 10 at the time. Shaking his head and staring off into space, he said something to the effect of “there is no hope left.”
I couldn’t stop crying. I am crying right now. He was one of the blessed ones (he’s now studying at NYU because of the sponsorship of Kids with Cameras). Others in that same class made other decisions. It pains me to think that even when offered a way out, some will decline it to go their own path.
The link below my post goes to an update on those children.
I won’t stop trying… just as God does not stop. There is always hope – even if we don’t see it. Soon Pramanik will begin to dream and his dreams will be as big as the sky. What a blessing and a joy that will be!
Jonnelle?s last blog post..?You can?t save them all??
Anne – the child we’ve sponsored for five years lives in India. Her name is Arpita.
You’re giving us a wonderful glimpse into the circumstances of her life. Thanks for being there, because we cannot….
bethbrawley?s last blog post..Let Your Name Be Lifted Higher
“painting a picture of his potential”
Amen. I love that we are doing that for a little girl in Uganda. I hope for the day when we can bring more dreams to children.
Praise God for Compassion and the workers on the frontlines that are blessing, teaching and working with the children.
danielle?s last blog post..Be: Content
Praying for all stomach problems to leave! So excited for you all to be there, ministering to the lives of those who live so differently than we do. We don’t have a clue, do we? I cannot wait to hear all about the trip and how God moved in your all’s lives and the lives of those precious people.
Love you
Lisa
lisa?s last blog post..Motorcycles, Cracker Barrel, Garage Sale…OH MY!
I know this feeling. When I was in Colombia for the first time, and had to leave those kids, it was hard. But it was harder to leave this one (Yerson), who just grabbed by heart. When I left, I felt like my heart wasn’t with me anymore, and I couldn’t do anything about it. And now, it is semi back, but most of it is still in Colombia with that boy… I cry, but not a lot, and I did, and still do from time to time, because God’s Spirit is so powerful in me for that boy.
stephen
Stephen Stonestreet?s last blog post..John Lennon Songwriting Contest
Thank you so much for these stories. My husband and I support an 11 year old boy in India and often wonder what exactly is happening with Justin. The letters provide minimal answers, although they are wonderful to receive. The video has really been a confirmation that supporting through Compassion is making a difference. Thank you so much for posting this video.
Teaching kids they can dream. What a powerful thought. Your posts are blessing me so much. Praying for you and the team.
Miriam Pauline?s last blog post..In Other Words–Act on What You Believe
Those videos were so cool – bringing us another step closer – thank you!
Suraj Reddy?s last blog post..Blogging Challenge Update
Born Into Brothels Kids Sue Filmmakers! (Calcutta newspaper, August 2008)
Yes, it’s true.
Born Into Brothels is a story of lies, half truths, distortions and exploitation. I invite you to read the newest blog and numerous other articles written on the hidden story behind the Hollywood-blessed “documentary.” You read, you decide. It’s your call.
The blog can be found at http://bornintobrothelslies.blogspot.com