PoP School

The caste system is a powerful and uncured plague within Indian society. Outlawed by Ghandi, lamented in the media, a source of shame among other nations, it is nonetheless painfully preserved in rigid detail throughout every stratum of Indian society. The wealthiest man in India, a multi-billionaire, is still openly forbidden to enter many places, because he was born into a low caste, and can never rise above that station.

The tsunami of 2001 dramatically amplified the scope of human need in Rameswaram. Also, in the growth of the King of Kings School, Body of Christ Ministries grew to realize that they could not protect the students from the entrenched caste prejudices of many of their families and villages. Some of the higher caste families would not accept their children attending next to the lowest caste children.

The solution was to open a second school. Prince of Peace School was opened in early 2006, with 120 students. It is designed to accommodate the poorest of Rameswaram’s populace. These children, some gathered half-naked from the streets, are given three sets of clothes, books, bags, lunch and transportation. Their education is first rate, yet without the $2 monthly tuition fee required at King of Kings School. For most of the families of the Prince of Peace students, it is their only option for any education for their children.