Why is a vocational school for marginalized Indians so necessary?
In India, a trade is passed on from generation to generation, but is never taught outside the family. This means Indian young people who are orphaned or whose parents are day laborers have no means of learning a marketable skill. Prakash Institutes equips those young people to start their own businesses, support their own families and potentially employ other workers. Without training, these young Indians will die.

How do students find out about the Institutes and apply?
Many students live in orphanages or hostels that house half-orphans (children with just one living parent). These young people are clothed and fed until they are 18 years old, but then by law must leave. Thousands of these young people are turned out into the streets, only to live a life of destitution, debt bondage, prostitution or slavery because they are not equipped to earn a living.

We have developed good working relationships with orphanages and hostels, and now those organizations encourage qualified young Indians to apply for admission to Prakash Institutes. Others are recommended to Prakash Institutes by their pastors. More than 90% of Prakash Institutes students come from central India.

How old is the average student who enters Prakash Institutes?
Between 16 and 18 years old - just at the point young people are about to enter adulthood and learn a trade.

How many students attend the Institutes?
The current capacity of the Boys Institute is 80 to 90 young men. Ruth Girls Institute serves 24 students. The combined student body could be 232 if all students were sponsored.

How long does each student remain at the Institute?
All Prakash Institute courses are two years (24 months) long.

Are all applicants required to proclaim the Christian faith in order to be accepted at the Institute?
Yes. Our goal is to equip young people with the tools they need to live healthy, productive, self-sustaining lives. That includes discipling them deep in their Christian faith, so that they can become leaders in their local churches and help perpetuate the Christian faith among their own people. Even though there is freedom of religion in India, the government will not allow conversions.

What changes do you see in Prakash students by the time they graduate?

• Cleanliness. Students learn personal hygiene, how to wash their own clothes, and preventative health measures.
• Discipline. Christian training has allowed students to break addictive habits, develop good Bible study and prayer routines and attend worship regularly. The Institute-wide emphasis on hard work and discipline means students learn to follow rules. In fact, this is the number one thing the students like about being at the Institutes.
• Manners. Students are taught basic social protocols that equip them to function successfully as leaders in their communities.

What do students at Prakash Institutes eat?
The central Indian diet is largely vegetarian. A staple is the chipati, a whole wheat tortilla.

A sample daily menu includes:

• Breakfast: 2 chapatis, a cup of tea with milk and sugar
• Lunch: chapatis, dahl (a curried split pea soup), and a piece of fruit (bananas, oranges or mangoes)
• Dinner: rice, chapatis, potatoes, onions and tomatoes.

Where is Prakash Institutes of India located?
On the outskirts of the city of Nagpur in central India. Nagpur is the second largest city in Maharashtra state, after Mumbai (Bombay).

What makes Maharashtra state unique?
Maharashtra is the third largest Indian state in terms of area, the second largest state in terms of population. At the same time, it is the poorest and most illiterate of India's 28 states.

What is the weather like in Nagpur?
Tropical. Temperatures range from 50 degrees (F) to 120 degrees (F). Average year-round temperatures are in the 90s (F).

Does Prakash Institutes of India receive any government funding?
None whatsoever. The Institutes are supported by generous and caring donors. Prakash for India is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in both the United States and in India.

What does "Prakash" mean?
It's the Marathi word for "light." It was chosen from Jesus' words in Matthew 5:16:
"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."