We welcome regular and occasional giving to support ongoing activities, but there are special needs for particular projects, including infrastructure works. Find out about our current fundraising appeals and how you can get involved, as well as previous appeals and successfully completed projects, below.
Current appeals
Nutrition programme
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many heads of families in the poorest parts of society losing employment as they are likely to be non-salaried or day labourers. These families are struggling to provide their children with basic nutrition. The State Government is trying to address this issue, but the magnitude of the situation calls for the assistance of many more civil society partners, which is where CRS is able to play a part.
Until recently, none of the CRS schools provided mid-day meals for their children, although other NGOs operating in the area have introduced such initiatives. In November 2021, CRS introduced a nutritional meal, as advised by a professional dietician, for around 430 children in the following areas: Topsia, Bibibagan (two schools), Hastings, Sukantanagar, Dum Dum, Gobindo Banerjee Lane, Geonkhali, Kulberia, Brace Bridge and Scott Lane (CSS).
The cost of this programme will be around £10,000 per year, for which CRS will require ongoing support from local and international partners. Please will you give today and help ensure children get the nutrition they need to not only survive, but grow and thrive?
Past appeals
COVID-19 and Cyclone Amphan emergency appeals
In April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India had a devastating impact on families already living below the poverty line. With no one able to leave the house for work, thousands of families faced hunger, with women and children most at risk. Hot on its heels came Cyclone Amphan in late May, which caused widespread flooding and damage, and left many families homeless.
Our appeals raised £17,000 in just four months which was sent to CRS and used to provide emergency relief to around 4,000 families in the urban and rural communities that CRS supports. Working in partnership with the Diocese of Kolkata, CRS gave out food packages and soap to those affected by the lockdown and later tarpaulins and cooking utensils to those left homeless following the cyclone. Efforts now turn to supporting these poor and underprivileged communities as they rebuild their homes and livelihoods, with a focus on children and women. Thank you for your very generous support!
Extension at Pally Mangal
In September 2019 we appealed for donations towards the extension of the CRS centre at Pally Mangal. CRS has been involved with the community at Pally Mangal in the Tollygunge area of south Kolkata since 1996 with a focus on women’s empowerment.
The women were meeting in a small one-roomed building which juts out into the roadway. At one point, the local authorities wanted to demolish it. However, a temple a little further along the road equally juts out and, since the temple cannot be demolished, the community building was protected. In fact, the community committee received permission to construct an additional floor.
We were delighted to receive donations from Paul Stuttle and Jo Whitehead amounting to £2,400. Together with the gift aid recoverable this is sufficient to cover all the costs to build an extra floor. Thank you very much for your generosity, Paul and Jo!
Multipurpose building in Mahamaya
In July 2018 we issued an appeal for £14,000 for the costs of adding two floors to the existing community building in Mahamaya. At the time, the pre-primary age children and women took turns to use the single room for their activities. The vision was to create a multi-purpose building with enough space for a school, medical centre, and a workspace for the women to make products for sale.
We are very pleased to say that, through the generosity of our donors, enough money was raised to complete the project within budget. In total £13,500 was given, of which over £7,000 came from Scargill School in Derbyshire – a commendable achievement for the parents, teachers and children of a small primary school. Thank you to everyone who supported this appeal!