Awareness raising

Returning to Kolkata: A Story of Friendship

Karen Laister Awareness raising, Nari Dana, Visitors

A special aspect of CRS is the relationships forged between supporters and visitors. Joy Mallard, a young woman from the UK, has visited CRS six times in recent years. Her reflections on her January 2026 visit highlight the friendships and meaningful relationships she has built during her visits to Kolkata. An entrepreneurial Digital Marketing and AI expert, Joy used her creative skills to come alongside the CRS team and support those working on the projects she visited.

India January 2026 Joy Mallard Report

CRS core team visit the UK

Gemma Pask Awareness raising, CRS staff, Teacher training, UK Friends

In early September, members of the CRS core team travelled to the UK to visit London, Derby, Oxford and Cambridge. Among them were Rig David, Director and Secretary, and The Rt. Revd. Dr. Paritosh Canning, Bishop of Calcutta and Chairman of CRS. The visit was intended to strengthen links with the Church of North India (CNI), raise awareness of the work being done in the Diocese of Calcutta and increase valuable support of CRS. Look out for more about the trip in the next Friends of CRS newsletter update, coming soon.

Hunger in India is rising – here’s how CRS is helping tackle the issue

Gemma Pask Awareness raising, Children, Emergency aid, Environment, Fundraising, Health, UK Friends

Climate change is exacerbating hunger in India, according to a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute. With levels in India considered to be ‘serious’ at present, it’s estimated that almost 74 million Indians will be at risk of hunger by 2030. Read the full article on the India Today website here.

CRS recently launched its nutrition programme, which aims to provide hundreds of children with a healthy, dietician-advised meal every day. The programme aims to combat hunger and a lack of nutrition among some of India’s most disadvantaged children.

With the initiative costing around £10,000 per year, the generosity of CRS supporters is vital. To find out more about the nutrition programme and how you can donate, please see our Fundraising appeals page.

Training in legal affairs

Karen Laister Awareness raising, Women

Ten members of the Women’s Empowerment Group at Pally Mangal received valuable training in legal affairs in May.

Ms Susmita Mallick, a government advocate, made the group aware of what free legal support they are entitled to from the government and also gave helpful information about how to file different types of issues and offences with the police.