Hi all, we've decided to swim the length of Windermere (10.5 miles- eeeek!) to raise money for the most wonderful charity. It’s a small but worthy cause, where the money is going directly to those who need it the most!

CH have recently begun funding a wonderful charity in Jodhpur, India called Bal Basera; and we will be swimming on their behalf. It is a residential program for HIV-positive children in Rajasthan, where they have come to welcome 65 children with open arms and providing them with a home, education, medicine, and tools to ensure their growth and independence. We go and visit the children every year whilst in Asia on work, its so wonderful to see these children thriving and smiling!

Most of the children at this child care home are orphans who have lost their parents to HIV, they have been alienated by the society for no fault of their own. This includes being given very few rights and little or no education, as well as being rejected by their communities. So the team provide unbiased, unprejudiced and fair living conditions, medicine and recreational activities for the children so that they grow up into becoming confident adults, not ashamed of their HIV+ status.

Due to the stigma and misconceptions of HIV/AIDS, the charity has often struggled acquiring accommodation on a permanent basis. Because of this, they have had to move several times over the past few years. Finally through donors they have procured a piece of land, where we will be helping them to build a permanent home, and medical centre.

Bal Basera child care home is a place where these children can play, learn, live and do all sorts of activities that every child is entitled too.