As some of you know I have been working in Kerala, South India for the last 6 months with an NGO (non-governmental organisation). This NGO works with a whole host of partners to improve health and well-being, make quality education the norm, achieve gender equality and reduce inequalities in South India.

I have had the privilege to work with some of these partners including at two special need schools, a shelter for homeless men and women and a home for pregnant teenagers.

The people I have met working in these places have taught me many things. Most noticeable among these is that the everyday small acts of kindness that make a huge difference to someone suffering.

Now that I've finished my work here, I hope to raise money for these particular four organisations so that they can continue to change people’s lives sustainably and effectively.

Here's a bit more information about the four places where this money will go to: (please note the partners and projects aren’t named to protect and safeguard the children and vulnerable adults):

a) Raksha School, a non-government, non-profit Special needs School that caters for students aged 3 months to 35 years with a range of both physical and learning disabilities. Here, we run running life-skills lessons; health and sports classes, daily living workshops, sensory sessions and therapy assessments. Previous donations have gone to build the sensory room and garden at the school.

b) A rehabilitation shelter for men and women in Kerala. It is for those who are mentally unwell and need a mental health assessment/ medication and for those whose families are not able to support them because of their physical/mental health issues/needs or if they are financial unable to provide for them. We visit the settlement providing therapeutic activities which include craft and vocational sessions with a group of female residents; health and fitness activities with both male and female residents and a ‘light-relief’ activity session for all residents.

c) Smrithi, a small special needs school. The school only has 45 students and their classroom is inside a house. Currently we are working on hand therapy and sports sessions, creating profiles of the children including their history and birth studies and occupational therapy assessments. Any money raised would go into building another floor so more children could attend the school. Many students are unable to attend because of this space issue. It would also go towards delivering life skills sessions, parental guidance for independent living workshops, sports sessions to develop motor skills, a vegetable garden for the whole school and to support the local teachers in supporting the disadvantaged children.

d) A residential home where abused, pregnant teenagers and teenage mothers and their babies are given a safe and nurturing place to live. This is one of the only such support systems existing in Kerala. Most of these girls are pregnant as a result of violence; without us they would be left alone to face all the ensuing stigma and rejection by family and society. This organisation provides homes and education, offering counselling and support services to the children. We help by providing life skills classes to the girls, as well as “light relief” sessions through craft activities or exercise sessions. This is a project in is partnership with two NGO’s.

Just to put things into perspective to build a second floor at Smrithi School (c) would cost around £1500 and a school book around £2. The money I raise will be split equally between the partners and will go direct to someone working across all 4 who will share it out.

It would mean a lot to me and to them if you could contribute and make a difference to these projects and the children, young adults, their families and teachers.

Thank you so much for your support - your act of small kindness will really make the difference to someone's life.

Jess