Dear Family and Friends

Thank you very much for visiting this fundraising page.

For more than 20 years Karuna Trust, a UK based charity (see www.karuna.org), has provided funding for the building and then for the running and maintenance  of hostels for children in India aged generally between 7 and 17.

Typically, these children come from extremely poor and disadvantaged backgrounds. They may come from areas where access to schooling is difficult or family circumstances (orphaned, for instance) militate against education.  A chance to live in a hostel run by one of Karuna’s Indian sister trusts (Bahujan Hitay or TBMSG Pune) provides an opportunity for a child to get to school and to receive a primary and secondary education.

Needless to say, many of these young people would also like the opportunity to go on to higher education: college or university. However, finance for further education is rarely available. Once their schooling finishes students find themselves not only faced with the loss of their hostel place but without funds to take their studies further.

Over the last few years some Indian friends and I have tried to help where we can by providing small grants to contribute towards college fees, books and associated costs. College fees vary – it may surprise you to learn that as little as £50 will sometimes pay an undergraduate’s course fees for a term.

Working through the Karuna Trust and its Indian partners, we would like to be in a position to do more. Indeed we would like to formalise a process that provides scholarships and long-term, interest free loans. We might ask those students who look likely to earn decent incomes, to consider recycling money we give them by repaying their loans when they are able. We will ask all students that we help to stay in contact with us and let us know how they are getting on in life.

On the occasion of my 50th birthday I wish to invite you to contribute to this exciting work by making a donation through this website; it’s very simple and highly efficient. And, if you are a taxpayer, this project will receive an additional 25% in Gift Aid plus a 3% supplement from the Government.

We all know what a difference it makes in life to receive a decent education. You could say it makes all the difference. By contributing to this appeal you will probably make a significant impact on the lives of seriously underprivileged young people. Having had so little in life is likely to ensure their deep appreciation of the wonderful opportunity your kindness would create for them.

Thank you for your support.

Robert Mason/Karunika