The Aquinas India Project has been set up to make a difference to the lives of underprivileged children in Mumbai by sponsoring their education.
The project aims to increase the cultural and racial understanding of Aquinas College students. Since it started in September 2003 the response by students and staff at Aquinas has been fantastic. Students, staff and governors as well as a number of friends of the project signed up to make a difference to the lives of needy children in Mumbai. In addition to raising funds, our charitable activities have increased the sense of community, awareness of citizenship and encouraged a spirit of inclusion.
Links have been established with the charity Prem Dan. We sponsor five children with Prem Dan and coordinate the sponsorship of some 130 children by students, former students, parents and friends of the college.
Through the Aquinas India Project we aim to:
- raise funds to continue to sponsor the education of children in Mumbai,
- arrange visits by Aquinas students and staff to undertake educational and community voluntary work.
- increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of other cultures and so to become more inclusive and welcoming.
Prem Dan (A Gift of Love)
www.premdan.org
In October 2003 the Aquinas India Project was set up to help
underprivileged children in Mumbai. Working primarily with the charity
Prem Dan (meaning 'Gift of Love' in Hindi) we have sponsored children and held a great number of fund-raising events. The college has also started to develop links with
St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai.
Money raised provides funds to sponsor children throughout their education. We currently sponsor five children with Prem Dan. We have also helped towards the building of a home for orphans at Khandala some 100 kms from Mumbai and provide a midday meal for the children at the Reay Road school.
Visits and Placements
Each February since 2005 a large group of students and staff have spent the half term break in Mumbai, working with the children at the Prem Dan schools and St Xavier's College.
Photos from a recent trip to India
We also have students on 'gap' placements in Mumbai working with the children at Prem Dan for up to three months. This academic year we have two former students spending three months at Prem Dan.
The students continue to work to raise funds throughout the year through the India Project enrichment activity.
What we have done already ?
The following activities, involving a considerable number of students and staff have taken place.
Assemblies take place near the beginning of the year for all the students explaining the nature and purpose of the project and encouraging them to sign up for the India Project as an Enrichment option.
Each year students and staff plan and organise a number of events to raise money for the Project. Previous events have included
- Fashion Shows,
- Comedy Nights,
- Talent Shows,
- Christmas and Summer Fairs
- Sponsored walks
- Christmas cards sales
- Concerts
- Craft Sales
- Stars in their Eyes Show
- 10K Great Manchester Run participation
- Christmas Carols in Merseyway and Cheadle
- Indian jewellery and artefacts sales
- Easter chocolate sales
- and many, many more activities and events.
How can you help ?
-
By getting involved in initiatives and activities at Aquinas College.
- Fund-raising for the Project.
- Making a donation to the Aquinas India Project.
For more information and to receive news on the Aquinas India Project please contact:
Priya Bradshaw
Aquinas College, Nangreave Road Stockport SK2 6TH
0161 483 3237
email:aip@aquinas.ac.uk