Opening the Gates of North Point: Jesuit School’s Winter Programme Brings Joy and Learning to Poor Children in Himalayan Region

Each winter, while the students of St. Joseph’s School, also known as North Point School, an elite Jesuit-run boarding school in Darjeeling, nestled in the Himalayan foothills, leave the campus for vacation, a different, quieter celebration unfolds within the school’s historic walls. For over a decade, the campus has welcomed underprivileged children from nearby tea gardens and villages, offering them a safe, joyful, and enriching space during their school holidays.

This is Baal Kunj, the winter programme for poor children, a brainchild of Fr. Kinley Tshering, SJ, who founded it in 2013. Speaking to Veritas Asia, Fr. Kinley recalls the inspiration behind the initiative:

“Caring for the poor must come from the heart, not from ideology or mere social analysis. It must arise from a compassionate heart that reaches out, like Mary’s simple yet profound concern at Cana: ‘They have no wine.’ It is the same compassionate heart of Jesus, who fed the hungry and could never remain indifferent to human suffering.”

From a childhood memory to a life-long mission

Fr. Kinley recounts how the seeds of Baal Kunj were sown in his own schooldays:

“When I was a schoolboy at North Point, I often noticed street children peeping through the trellis as we played cricket, basketball, and finally hockey in winter. While we enjoyed the well-maintained grounds, they played with a rag ball on the streets. I felt deeply sorry and would often wish I could share a little of our joy with them.”

Years later, as Rector of the school, he turned this childhood empathy into action. The idea was simple yet revolutionary: open the gates of North Point to these children during the winter holidays, turning the campus from a distant spectacle into a welcoming home.

“They would gather outside the gates even before opening time and were reluctant to leave in the evening. The school had become their space now, no longer a place to look at from outside the fence, but a home they could fully enter and enjoy, with all its facilities,” Fr. Kinley says.

A vibrant, holistic winter programme

Today, the programme benefits hundreds of children each year, with 600 students attending in 2024, providing meals, study support, skill development, and opportunities for fun and creativity. Classes and activities are organized according to the Jesuit principle of “head, heart, and hand”, ensuring holistic development.

“Winter camp or Baal Kunj for poor children keeps them engaged during school holidays, prevents dropouts, and promotes holistic development through fun activities like sports, games, and creative learning,” says Fr. Stanley, SJ, the present Rector of the school. “In a Catholic context, they align with serving the vulnerable, offering spiritual growth, education, and a sense of belonging to break poverty cycles.”

Children also participate in cultural programs, giving performances on the final day, with their parents invited to witness the celebration. Beyond learning and play, sessions on hygiene, screen time, children’s rights, and issues like trafficking are included. Medical camps reach disaster-affected areas, while scholarships, school bags, warm clothes, and stationery are distributed generously by the school community.

This year, Baal Kunj will even introduce robotics sessions, offering children opportunities they might otherwise never have, a glimpse into a world of learning and creativity beyond their daily circumstances.

"I am very happy to see the children coming eagerly for the Camp this year again." Bro. P.D. Vincent, SJ, the Administrator of North Point School.

Community effort powered by love

The programme is sustained through the energy and generosity of the school community. The 1,300 boys of North Point contribute through their annual school fete, organizing over 35 stalls featuring food, games, and entertainment. The proceeds go directly into funding the winter programme.

A mission that continues to inspire

Baal Kunj has grown steadily since its inception, with Class XI students volunteering alongside teachers and alumni. What started as a compassionate response to local need has become a model for Jesuit-inspired education that merges academic excellence with social responsibility.

“At the beginning, there were many apprehensions: ‘They will damage the school, dirty it, break things.’ None of this happened, apart from minor incidents that could occur anywhere,” Fr. Kinley recalls. “I spoke openly to the children, telling them about the risk I was taking for their sake and asking for their cooperation. They understood, and they honoured that trust.”

For the children of Darjeeling’s villages, the winter months at North Point are more than just a holiday; they are an experience of care, learning, and hope. As Fr. Kinley puts it: “When there is a genuine desire to serve the poor, I believe God provides. One must work hard as if everything depends on oneself, and then leave the rest to God.”

About St. Joseph’s School, North Point

Founded in 1888 by Jesuit fathers, North Point is a prestigious boys’ boarding school renowned for its academic excellence, character formation, and panoramic Himalayan setting. The school follows the ICSE curriculum and has a long-standing tradition of nurturing responsible, compassionate leaders. Students from royal families in Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand have walked its corridors, while the strong alumni network, DNPSAA, continues to support initiatives like Baal Kunj that extend the school’s mission of holistic education to those in need.