In 2023, Bishop Ian Paton and Rev Ross Stirling-Young had the privilege of visiting the Arunima Hospice in Kolkata, West Bengal. Pictured above is Bishop Ian with Suvabrota Das, the Hospice Manager.
Ross describes their visit below and shares about the inspiring and transformational work happening in this community.
During our time at the Arunima Hospice, Kolkata, we witnessed extraordinary work being done in the face of poverty, stigma, and the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS. Inspired by their vision of hope and healing, we were pleased to award a £500 grant to help establish a hospice community garden.
This garden is now flourishing, producing a variety of vegetables, herbs, and fruits, all of which support the residents’ health and wellbeing. Under the guidance of the hospice’s resident nutritionist, Dr Nik, the produce plays a crucial role in boosting immunity—an essential component of care for those living with HIV/AIDS, whose immune systems are often compromised.
My husband and I have also personally supported the purchase and lease of agricultural land in the rural Sundarbans region of West Bengal. This area, while fertile and rich in biodiversity, is increasingly affected by the realities of climate change.
Rising sea levels, increasing salinity, and extreme weather events such as cyclones and droughts are impacting crop yields, soil health, and the ability of local farmers to sustain their livelihoods. In this context, the land is being used not only for cultivation but also as a platform for outreach—enabling hospice staff to reach rural communities with the Gospel, offering both spiritual and physical nourishment.
Significantly, the hospice staff have used this work to re-educate local villagers on climate-resilient farming practices, including the repurposing of paddy fields for more effective rice planting amid increasingly frequent and severe flooding. These efforts show a remarkable integration of environmental stewardship, community education, and practical climate adaptation.
Looking ahead, we are currently raising £500 to lease two large ponds to develop a fish farming operation. This would mark another step toward self-sufficiency, creating a sustainable “field and pond to plate” model that provides nutrition, income, and long-term stability for the hospice and its wider community.
To date, I have coordinated fundraising efforts that have raised over £25,000 to support the hospice’s environmental, educational, and healthcare initiatives. These funds have directly empowered Arunima to grow in both its vision and its capacity to serve.
If you or your church community would like to learn more about the work of Arunima Hospice, and how they are addressing the climate crisis in their context, I would be honoured to come and speak. Their story is one of hope and action—where climate justice, faith, and love meet to change lives.
Rev Ross Stirling-Young, Assistant Curate at St Columba’s Stanley and St Ninian’s Cathedral Perth
Edited by Bethany Nelson, Empowerment Coordinator
