History
Samuel & Aleyamma Chacko
Vineetha's parents, Samuel and Aleyamma Chacko, volunteered much of their time at Peniel. They were involved in the teaching, ministering, and administrative roles of the seminary. They also served as the headmaster and headmistress of Peniel Academy and Children's Home during its early years.
Samuel Chacko would regularly make trips to various places in North India and Nepal to do ministry. Peniel Seminary students would often travel with him.
Samuel Chacko passed away in April 2016 while at his home in Seattle, WA. Aleyamma Chacko now lives with her son and family in Atlanta, GA.
Peniel Academy & Children's Home
Peniel Academy and Children’s Home was started in 2006 and closed in 2020. It was located in Kerala, India, about 30 miles inland from the Indian Ocean, on the same campus as Peniel Bible Seminary.
The school followed the regulations of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which is the higher level curriculum for K-12 schools in India and is internationally recognized.
Peniel Academy held regular, Monday through Friday classes for students who lived on-campus as well as for students who commuted from their homes on a daily basis.
The Academy and Children’s Home comprised children ages 3-18 from Kerala, other states in India, and the neighboring country of Nepal. Most of the students in attendance lived on campus full-time at the children’s home.
While some of the children had no living parents, others had at least one living parent or guardian. However, these family members were often unable to provide secure housing, proper clothing, a regular and healthy diet, or a suitable education for their children as they lacked the means and resources to do so.
At the Children’s Home the children were looked after by caregivers who are with them throughout the course of the day.
The children had their meals at the main campus cafeteria. The main kitchen on campus is managed by a professional, resident chef who is assisted by the seminary students. The kitchen offers a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as morning and afternoon milk and snacks for the children served seven days a week.