The journey of David Punnamannil (’16, BA) is a story of resilience, faith, and the transformative potential of education. From his early years in Dubai and India to his experiences at Trinity Western University, followed by the founding of the non-profit organization Lighthouse Voyage, David's journey is one of deep personal healing and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and adults who have suffered harm.
David was born in Dubai to Indian parents from Kerala. His family frequently traveled back to India, which helped to foster a strong connection to their cultural roots.
In 2002, his family made the monumental decision to move to Canada, seeking better opportunities despite the challenges of leaving behind loved ones and familiar surroundings.
Moving to a new country
The excitement of a new beginning was mixed with the pain of separation from friends and family with whom he had created a special bond throughout his childhood. The adaptation to a Canadian lifestyle was not an easy transition. Although David was thrilled to see snow for the first time and explore a new country while living in Calgary, Alberta, he also faced the harsh realities of being an immigrant in a foreign land a long way from home.
The isolation and cultural differences took a toll, which led to a period of deep depression and self-doubt.
David's struggle with depression reached its peak while he was working in aircraft maintenance, a career path he had chosen to please his parents, but one in which he found no passion on a daily basis.
In feeling constantly overwhelmed by broken relationships and seeing no value in his personal or professional life, David would attempt suicide three times.
Journey out of the darkness
During this extremely dark phase of his life, David decided to backpack through Europe. It was a journey that would eventually lead him to apply to Trinity Western University. David had been encouraged by his sister-in-law to follow his passion for social justice and humanitarian work by studying in TWU's International Studies program.
Despite his late application, David was accepted to TWU and eventually joined the International Studies program, but not before the most transformative chapter in his life would occur.
"And in that moment, I just felt God’s love in such an incredible way."
An unexpected kindness and a new hope
After returning from Europe, it was David’s third attempt at suicide that would shape the rest of his life.
A seemingly homeless man on a bike randomly approached David in a park one night and started a conversation.
“It kind of annoyed me at first, so I tried to hurry the interaction along and leave as quickly as I could," David recalls, "But, as we were talking, I eventually asked if I could read my journal to him. Once I finished, we hugged, and he stated how much he loved me for who I was as a person."
"And in that moment, I just felt God’s love in such an incredible way."
The unexpected kindness and declaration of love moved him deeply, igniting a spark of hope in humanity that immediately initiated a healing process within him.
Pursuing academic and spiritual growth in community
After moving to BC, David quickly thrived in the close-knit community and smaller class sizes at TWU, which allowed for meaningful interactions with professors to occur. Over time, some of David's professors would become lifelong mentors. Courses in history and international studies, particularly those taught by professor Paul Rowe, profoundly influenced David's academic and spiritual growth.
At TWU, David also met his future wife; she introduced him to the works of C.S. Lewis and further challenged him to explore his Christian faith more deeply.
The birth of Lighthouse Voyage
Inspired by his studies and personal experiences, David took a break from his academic pursuits to volunteer with an NGO in India. This experience solidified his passion for human rights and social justice.
In 2015, leveraging the support and connections he had made at TWU, David founded Lighthouse Voyage, an organization dedicated to rehabilitating and empowering exploited women and children.
Following this, David returned to TWU to complete his undergraduate degree, before moving back to Calgary to focus on his non-profit organization in a full-time capacity.
Lighthouse Voyage's mission is to provide a safe haven for victims of exploitation, through offering education, rehabilitation, and vocational training to help people rebuild their lives. The organization collaborates with local grassroots NGOs to ensure sustainable impact, focusing on empowering local communities rather than imposing external solutions.
Launching and sustaining a non-profit organization came with significant challenges, as David and his team faced financial uncertainties, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which made fundraising efforts extremely difficult.
Despite these obstacles, their faith and determination saw them through, as they were to miraculously complete the construction of a new safe home for girls during the global pandemic, providing shelter and support to over a hundred girls.
"The mission has led to a very multigenerational focus.”
Amplifying impact
Since that time, the organization has continued to accomplish significant milestones. One of the organization's proudest achievements has been the successful passage of a bill in their district, aimed at protecting vulnerable girls from exploitation. This initiative has inspired other regions to adopt similar measures, amplifying Lighthouse Voyage's impact.
Separately, the heartwarming stories of individuals, such as seeing one of the girls getting married—is a testament to the healing and empowerment taking place. The non-profit organization is continuing to grow, with plans to expand its reach and explore new opportunities for impact, including potential future projects in Europe.
Currently, a new medical care facility is under construction, while a new nursing school now enrols 25 students. To date, three safe homes have been built, and over nine hundred individuals have been placed into various elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools, saving youths from a life of uncertainty and despair.
“I thought, when we started, that if we could help five or ten girls, that would be amazing," David shares. "I wasn't really expecting it to become what it is now."
"The mission has led to a very multigenerational focus,” David says in summarizing the positive impact.
Reflecting on the path
David attributes much of his personal and professional growth to his time at TWU. The academic rigour, combined with the spiritual and emotional support, helped shape him into a resilient and compassionate leader.
TWU's community fostered his Christian faith, provided healing, and ultimately equipped him with the tools to start Lighthouse Voyage.
In reflecting on his path, David often thinks of St. Augustine's Confessions, a book that deeply influenced him during some of his darkest moments.
As David reflects, “In life, in order to truly know who you are and who Christ is, you first need to confess to yourself. As such, if I didn't drop everything and come to TWU, I don't know where I would be now.”
This introspective journey defines David's personal faith and continues to guide his professional mission to help others find hope in the emptiest places. David's story is one of remarkable transformation and unwavering dedication to making the world a better place. From his struggles with depression to founding a life-changing non-profit, David's journey exemplifies the power of resilience, faith, and the impact of a supportive educational environment.
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About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has campuses in Canada in Langley, Richmond, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca.