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Projects
Orphan care: The Trust has established a fostering program for 200 orphans in Asia. By placing an emphasis on living in a foster family, the scheme provides for the children's material, educational and social development needs.
Socio-economic regeneration and micro-finance: The Trust's local volunteers have developed various projects to provide opportunities for impoverished people to access capital and earn livelihoods. For instance, elderly people in Asia who find it difficult to maintain themselves have been enrolled into a simple and effective project which involves an initial grant of a milking buffalo and one month of fodder. The objective is for the milk to provide sufficient income to meet basic food requirements and fodder for the next month. The success of this project has lead to the development of other similar projects, such as providing women with training and sewing machines to set-up their own tailoring practice. The fundamental objective of such projects is to restore not only the economic self-sufficiency of a family, but also their personal dignity and esteem. The multiplied benefits in terms of community regeneration is phenomenal, since three generations are saved from poverty.
Shelter and housing: Volunteers of the Trust in India have pioneered an innovative financial scheme that provides access to housing. A group of landlords have been enrolled into a project whereby they receive a deposit of £850 from the Trust for a three-year lease. Any interest the landlord can gain from the deposit is treated as rent and the capital is returned back to the Trust when the lease expires. This simple and creative scheme has enabled a significant number of people to be freed from homelessness and the associated social and economic ramifications. Basic food provision: One of the most widely supported projects is the Ramadhan food programme that provides basic sustenance for over 1,500 families in Asia and the Middle East. In the most impoverished places as little as £10 can provide basic sustenance for a family for an entire month.
Provision of assistance within the UK: In keeping with the mission to tackle poverty wherever it may arise, a variety of individuals with various needs are assisted around the UK. With the assistance of donations from generous benefactors around the world, the Trust has been successful in addressing different needs in various countries. There is however a phenomenal amount of work that remains. For instance, one of the future projects that is currently being planned is the development of a system of providing cataract operations to reduce the occurrence of blindness. These operations can be completed at relatively little cost, whilst contributing significant social value. |
The application of a philosophy of never turning away any person in need has lead to a strategy of project diversification. Hence the range of activities is relatively broad and comprehensive. Projects are generally driven by specific appeals and as such, the Trust has created the organisational functionality to respond quickly and effectively to a range of requests. Whilst the scope is extensive, the guiding principle of project selection is based on enabling target communities to develop self-sufficiency. From a metaphoric perspective, borrowing an ancient maxim, the Trust does not seek to simply distribute 'fish', but rather endeavours to provide 'fishing rods' and the knowledge to utilise them effectively. This approach has generated growth and momentum for the size and scope of the Trust. A selection of current projects would include:
Provision of clean water: One of the first projects undertaken was the construction of bore-holes in remote villages so as to provide a consistent supply of clean water. The remarkable point about these projects is that for a relatively modest sum of approximately £1,000, one can dramatically improve the quality of life of several hundred people, whilst also helping to avoid disease and associated social problems. In keeping with the principle of joint partnership with target communities, the responsibility to maintain the pumps is borne by the local community.
Healthcare: The Trust has historically received a wide range of appeals for medical assistance and is currently engaged in assisting patients who need cataract operations, heart surgery, deaf children, as well as a variety of other ailments. This is one of the most active projects and with the help of donors we would like to increase this crucial service.
Education: There are now over 500 students been sponsored, principally in primary and secondary education. More recently a few undergraduates have been supported for degrees in Medicine and Engineering. Full sets of school reports are regularly sent to sponsoring donors. The Trust also meets ad hoc requests for special assistance such as development of school buildings.