Dr. P.P. Job

When the world offers hate and cruelty, there is nothing else to do but build walls. And that's just what Dr. P.P. Job did after his two sons were murdered for being Christian. Grief-stricken and angry,bold Dr. Job vowed to take revenge by turning his bitterness into a love that could not be denied by even the most cold-hearted person. 

In 2000, Dr. Job was given a plot of land in Coimbatore, India.  But little did he know at that time that the small, seemingly worthless plot which didn't even have fresh water or access to electricity would become home to over 300 orphan girls in just seven years — becoming a sanctuary for innocent children whose only crime was to be born to Christian parents. 
With only one building to begin with, Dr. Job built a wall around his small plot of land. In 2001, he officially opened the Michael Job Centre, named after his son who was purposefully run down by a car.

At first, the orphanage started with seven girls but slowly it grew. More land was purchased and more buildings were built. And so Dr. Job had to tear down the walls and build new ones, forever keeping the world's ills away from his forgotten girls. But the orphanage kept growing, and so once again Dr. Job tore down the walls and built more just outside the new buildings. Every time he tore down a wall, he was destroying the fear and the hate that festered inside.

Now, with over 60 acres of pristine land, Dr. Job has created a home for the orphan girls of martyred Christians. The only walls that exist today run along a busy road as it's only a matter of time before more girls arrive.

"He wants to change the state of India," said Greg Meeres, who recently travelled to India to film Tearing Down the Walls, a documentary about Dr. Job and his centre. "He wants to change the mind set there." Christian persecution is nothing new in India but the country has been experiencing a wave of renewed violence. There are 30  million Christians, making up the the third largest group after Hindus and Muslims.

This past February, after visiting Orissa, Cardinal Telesphore Toppo presented a letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in which he said the attacks against Christians were "undoubtedly premeditated" and "carried out by sectarian forces." While politicians and clergymen point fingers, Dr. Job is more concerned with helping the young girls abandoned in a war they never claimed as their own. Raised in a poor Christian environment, Dr. Job has also suffered, surviving several stonings because of his outspoken faith.

Inspired by Dr. Job's passion, Meeres, of Boldfish Entertainment in Vancouver, went to India for two weeks with his partner Doug Kooy to document Dr. Job and his orphanage. What he found was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Life for the girls starts at 5:30 a.m. when they wake Meeres and Kooy up with a hot, creamy cup of chai tea. Afterwards, they go to chapel and a young girl between the ages of two and four stands up in front of everyone to recite a rhyme.

Michael Job memorial College of education for women

Then, the girls gather in the fields outside to play a sport, usually soccer or volleyball. Afterwards, they have breakfast and attend classes all day until dinner time. At 7 p.m. its time for dinner and then off to bed. "The contrast of walking past the wall separating the orphanage from the outside world was stark — like night and day," he said. "The level of education these girls are getting is amazing."

Knowing that education is the toughest weapon against a life of poverty and crime, Dr. Job has developed an accredited institution that takes girls all the way from elementary school through college where they can earn degrees in nursing, business or teaching.

By inviting locals to attend the school as well, Dr. Job prevents his orphans from becoming segregated from the community, in addition to creating another venue to raise funds
"Dr. Job is creative in the way he has raised funds for the orphanage," said Meeres. "As well as operating several businesses, such as a printing company and being a doctor, he also charges tuition to local girls who want to attend the school. Not only do they get an education but they help the orphans get one as well."

The level of  English is incredible, added Meeres. Each girl had written Meeres a letter before he left. In clean, crisp lines the letters show that the orphan girls have better penmanship than most Canadian adults. Meeres, whom the girls called, 'Uncle Boldfish' after his entertainment company, is replying to the letters one-by-one as they have provided him with a source of encouragement to finish the documentary, he said. 

Michael Job Centre  has welcomed six-year-old Satya with open arms

His eyes light up when he speaks of how the girls have touched him, particularly one girl — seven-year-old Amy Carmichael. A security guard found her in the trash behind a factory when she was just a baby. 

He brought to her Dr.Job where she has learned how to "read and write English better than some students here," said Meeres. "She's an absolute doll and has the most beautiful smile."
Having travelled around the world and filmed many documentaries on orphanages, Meeres says the biggest contrast he found visiting Dr. Job is the amount of responsibility the young girls have.

"Usually, those who run orphanages are all about serving the kids, creating an environment where there is a lack of ownership.  But at the Michael Job Centre, the girls all have chores, creating a sense of responsibility and ownership."

Meeres hopes his documentary moves people in the West to action. Ideally he would like to show it in India but fears it could create a backlash against Dr. Job.  While post-production is still in its preliminary stages, Meeres and Kooy are looking for financial support to finish the film.

"Ultimately, we want to inspire others and raise up other heroes as Dr. Job has inspired us," said Meeres. "The change doesn't have to be huge.  Its only takes small actions by every individual."