Friends of Calcutta Cathedral Relief Service
  
The “Friends” are the UK fund-raising link for the “Cathedral Relief Service” (CRS), based in Calcutta (Kolkata), which serves some of the poorest inhabitants of this city of 14 million and its surrounding rural villages, in communities where 80% of families live on less than the equivalent of £20/month. 

19-Apr-2006

 

 

The Challenge for the Calcutta Cathedral Relief Service

“We build for a new tomorrow when the new man will rise out of a new Calcutta. A man who will be equal with every other citizen, for he will take responsibility for his city. He will not be a pawn in the hands of his fellow men, who in the name of charity or stability or peace, exploit him, by denying him his basic right to mould his own destiny.”

Our Work

 History  (see also CRS Own Website )

CRS has been committed to helping these families improve their quality of life since1963 through a programme of carefully integrated activities:

·         HEALTH

The provision of clinic facilities and educational programmes for hygiene, HIV/Aids, etc.

·         EDUCATION

The provision of pre-school and primary school education with the objectives of reducing the incidence of child labour and mainstreaming the pupils into state schools.

·         EMPOWERMENT

The formation of self-help groups to teach young women sewing techniques and basic business skills to give self-esteem, generate and save income.  The formation of local pressure groups to influence councillors to improve sanitation and other basic infrastructure facilities.

CRS currently has a staff of 65 working in 14 urban and 6 rural communities.  These act as catalysts to encourage other communities to share in the “rights-based” process.

Why CRS?

Here is a charity committed to assisting the people of the slums of Calcutta to climb out of the poverty through a structured programme designed to empower the people to act for themselves.  It is small enough for you to see the difference your contribution is making to the programme.

At present every £ contributed in the UK is transferred directly to CRS for translation into work programmes.  All administration and publicity is donated by individuals in the UK who believe in the concepts of CRS.

Should you wish to see the work at first hand, this is always possible by arrangement at your expense.

 

Photo Album

Friends Newsletters

Newsletter 1

Newsletter 2
 HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE Standing Order & Gift Aid Form
 

 

This site was last updated 19-Apr-2006