Supporter Event
A night to meet, update, and discuss plans
The offices of Hat Trick Productions in Camden Town were the setting for our first in-person supporter and donor gathering since lockdown. Kate Wilson (Chair) and Philippa Baylis from the Board of Trustees gave updates on the charity — both on a practical level on the ground in India, as well as our current accounts and goals going forward.
It was also an opportunity to thank Malcolm Harper and Uschi Kraus-Harper, our founders, for their tireless work over the years for the charity and the important role Malcolm continues to play inspiring us all to do what we can to help. Lovely to see so many faces in person we have only perhaps met via email.
PUSS (Girls High School)
Continued Success but Growing Funding Issues
We are continuing to see a huge need for the education and care that PUSS provides. The numbers at the end of this school year are 270 girls living in term time at the hostel and 80 "day boarders" (children who are bussed to the school daily).
Almost 80% of the children who live in the hostel come from Tribal (Adivasi) families and come from 19 district areas across Odisha. Many of these are remote subsistence farming areas where education and healthcare for girls is very limited.
Kuku and her team continue to ensure the girls are getting the education and physical care they need, alongside a whole range of enriching opportunities — including art classes, karate championships, and music and dance tuition.
However, PUSS is facing a real crisis in terms of funding. While approximately 25% of its budget comes from Indian corporate partners (particularly Tech Mahindra), the lion's share still comes from FOCO donors. With rising inflation, the school is facing a funding gap of roughly £30,000 per year — a significant challenge that requires urgent attention.
Infrastructure Concerns
The current school building faces issues of flooding and deterioration. The sale of a large piece of FOCO-donated land may hold the key to the next stage of the school and hostel's future. There may be enough money raised to kickstart construction of a new school on adjacent land, but Indian charity tax regulations mean proceeds from the land sale cannot be used directly for running costs.
Looking Forward
Kuku's immediate priority is to raise funds for current running costs while simultaneously garnering advice and additional funds for the new school and accommodation building. Looking further ahead, she is working on long-term planning to apply for and secure funding from government sources and Indian corporate sponsors, building on the successful partnership with Tech Mahindra.
SOCH (Society for Children)
Looking After At-Risk Children at Every Age
SOCH continues to concentrate on their two major programmes, both of which are making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children across Odisha.
The Jatni Centre
A new physical building — funded mainly by ringfenced FOCO donations — allows SOCH to run simultaneous camps, significantly increasing the number of children they can help. In May 2024, SOCH ran their 12th De-addiction programme for 20 boys from Bhubaneswar, providing four weeks of de-addiction sessions, life skills training, and physical activities. One particularly inspiring success story is Sharoj, a graduate from the first cohort who is now working at SOCH as a Junior Trainee — a testament to the programme's transformative impact.
Alongside this, they ran their 8th Edu-Bridge camp for 25 boys, helping vulnerable children who are currently not in education to catch up and re-enrol in school. These programmes work hand in hand, showing how consistent support can truly change lives.
The Rakshyak Project
The Rakshyak Programme focuses on preventing the trafficking of children, and its results speak for themselves. From January to July 2023, the team at Khurda rescued 154 children from dangerous situations. Of these, 139 were successfully resettled back with their families, while 15 were placed into government social care programmes. The children rescued ranged in age, with roughly half aged 7–14 years and the rest 15–18 years old.
Unfortunately, the government has withdrawn funding from its own anti-trafficking projects in the larger stations of Odisha, including Bhubaneswar and Puri — making SOCH's work more critical than ever.
What SOCH Needs Now
With government funding withdrawn, SOCH urgently needs to fund the Rakshyak Programme in Bhubaneswar and Puri. The team has the experience and expertise to make a real difference if they can secure the necessary funding.
Beyond this immediate need, SOCH is also developing The Pankh Programme, which supports vulnerable young people leaving care at 16. This includes mentoring, trainee roles, and educational support. Encouragingly, Manoj's Azim Premji Foundation will match fund donations to this programme, doubling the impact of every contribution. Additionally, Manoj is working to expand overseas donor networks and hopes to visit the US (and possibly the UK) to grow support for these vital programmes.
FOCO's Current Financial Situation
We have continued to support both NGOs at a similar level for several years, but we must now increase donations to maintain that support. There is no easy way to say this — we are running low on funds.
How You Can Help
Small charities' lifeblood comes from regular donations. Even the price of a coffee per month can make a real difference. If you don't already give regularly, please ask us for a Direct Debit Mandate — and if you can, add Gift Aid to increase the value of your support at no extra cost to you.
Have you considered a legacy donation in your will? This simple step can be transformative for the charity and the children who benefit, creating a lasting impact that continues for years to come.
Beyond financial support, we need volunteers. From writing and fundraising to helping organise events, there are many ways to get involved. We're delighted that two long-term supporters have already joined the committee following our recent event!
Finally, both PUSS and SOCH are open to volunteers again. Contact Kate Wilson (katew@hattrick.com) for details about volunteering opportunities. And if your travel plans include India, please visit our NGOs — seeing the work firsthand is an experience that stays with you.
Thank You
If you have given already or are planning to do so again, all the money, time, and effort from our supporters is hugely appreciated. We truly believe we can help these charities — who have shown proven success in improving the lives of children in India.