Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am running in memory of Himanshu.  Himanshu was sadly taken by covid February last year.

Himanshu Patel was a keen supporter of Aarti Home and in establishing a memorial to him, the charity is seeking to honour his passion for food and culinary skills as a successful restaurateur. So, in his memory, organic food will be grown to supply a kitchen and cafeteria, which are being built in his name in the Women’s Wellness Centre. Aarti students & locals will be trained there in nutrition and culinary skills and people will be fed and inspired by “Himanshu’s Kitchen”.

Aarti for Girls began thirty years ago in a small, deprived town in Southern India. With over 6,000 children passing through its doors, Aarti Home has become a shelter and haven for children who have suffered abuse, trafficking, and abandonment. Sadly, 90% of India’s abandoned children are girls. The children at Aarti Home are rescued and given an education and opportunities to build independent lives, eventually contributing as valued members of society.

Aarti also rescues women from destitution, training them in professional skills, so that they may become self-sufficient and support their own children. In setting up a Women’s Wellness Centre, the charity is creating a discrimination-free zone, welcoming women from all religions, castes, backgrounds etc. This will be an area where they may come for help and where they will be free to disclose their problems and seek support and advice from experts in all areas eg. physical well-being, mental health, legal and financial issues, abuse etc.