About FOCO
Friends of the Children of Odisha - A small but passionate UK charity making a big difference in the lives of vulnerable children in India
Our Mission
Friends of the Children of Orissa (FOCO) began in the 1990s, inspired by a visit to Odisha (formerly Orissa), one of India’s poorest states. Founded by Malcolm Harper and Uschi Kraus-Harper, and now led by a small volunteer Board of Trustees, FOCO raises funds in the UK to support grassroots organisations in India that care for vulnerable children.
We focus on long-term partnerships built on trust and accountability. Our two partner organisations are:
PUSS (Palli Unnayan Seva Samiti) — a girls' school and hostel offering education, food, and safety to children from disadvantaged and tribal communities.
SOCH (Society for Children) — rescuing and rehabilitating runaway or trafficked children, reuniting them with families, and helping young adults build independent lives.
Our work is entirely funded by donations and run by volunteers, ensuring that every pound goes where it's needed most — directly to the children and their communities.
"At PUSS we were given food, clothes, safety, and education. It was paradise for me.
Our Community
Meet the volunteers, supporters, and friends who make FOCO's work possible
