Raised: 64%
Target: £1,000.00
Raised so far: £640.00
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My story

 

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

Better late than never! Hope you had a good birthday and hope to see you soon - love Ju and Char Donation by Julian 08/11/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Hope that you had a good birthday and that you are all well. With much love Jo, George and Robin. xxx Donation by Jo Taylor 27/10/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

I am sorry it took so long to get through,is this the place we visited on our way to Mumbai from Pune? I hope you had a greaat Birthday Love Christine Donation by 'Auntie'Christine 14/10/08  

£50.00

You are a very good man, would that there were a world full of you and we would have no worries! with all our love, G,P and M xxx Donation by Gemma Lyus 09/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

We know just what this would mean to the boys concerned and we want to support you in this. Donation by Keith and Iris 08/09/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

How like you to use your birthday in this way! Shine on. Donation by Subhamati and Pin 08/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

happy birthday bro! Donation by karunadaka 07/09/08  

£10.00

celebrating one of the most kind and generous men in our world Donation by Vandanajyoti 04/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Happy 50thBirthday! Wishing this venture every success and you all that is good for the future! Love M & F Donation by Joyce and Nigel 04/09/08  

£50.00

Robert I hope you have a wonderful birthday and a fabulous year /decade ahead.. Love as always. Donation by Kate 04/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

I am broke, but my heart is full, and my future is bright, so i can always give to anything you support. Donation by Cosmo 03/09/08  

£10.00

What a great way to celebrate your birthday! Donation by Em & Dan 03/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

we hope you'll have another 50 years of gentle kindness on this planet. happy birthday! Donation by yesim, phil and alev 03/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

One Good Man will make so many good people. Strive on Bodhisattva for another 50 years! Donation by Siladasa 03/09/08  

£100.00

Wonderful man, have a wonderful day and many more years of a wonderful life Donation by XYZ 02/09/08  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Happy Birthday, Karunika! Nice one... Donation by Kulananda 02/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

All good wishes, Karunika, and wishing you a joyous 50th Donation by Ashvajit 02/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

I am repeatedly moved by your care and concern for the hostel children, you have wanted to start thi Donation by Kathryn Mason 28/08/08  

£50.00
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* Total raised online: £640.00
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £104.36

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.