Our Story — Project Help India

Welcome to Our Story

Watch our introductory video below

‘Project Help India’ provides practical help and hope to people living in poverty in Northern India. These people live in city slums, jungle villages in the foothills of the Himalayas, and in isolated areas in Western Punjab close to the Pakistani border. The projects are predominantly centred around providing a basic education to children who otherwise would not attend school, and extends to other children and teenagers who have significant disabilities. Funds are used to provide education in 14 locations including a Disability Centre.

All children in our Kotdwara, Bijnor and Jungle Centres receive a healthy meal each and every day. ‘Project Help’ only employs local teachers and staff from within the local community.

‘Project Help India’ works alongside the local police to provide education and awareness about child labour and human trafficking. Our programs are delivered to parents and children in schools and isolated jungle and rural villages. We also provide counselling and support to individuals who have been rescued. We regularly collaborate with both local and State Police, delivering programs aimed at responding to anti-human trafficking awareness, child labour and street begging.

All of our team members are locals. Our work is well respected by many community leaders, politicians and the local police with whom we often collaborate. They encourage and support our initiatives and projects, and they often seek advice and guidance from our team.

Underpinning our story

We are inspired by love for all people and are guided by compassion, generosity and service.
All people, men and women, are equal because they are created in the image of God. We therefore respect all people, regardless of their age, personal circumstances, financial or social status.
All people have worth and significance. Each has talents and gifts and an important contribution to make to their community. We therefore aim to create opportunities for people to have hope and purpose for the future.
The leadership capacity, potential and contribution of people of all ages is to be recognised and harnessed.
We work to empower people through education because education transforms lives. We adhere to a model of inclusive education where diversity is celebrated, believing that all children have a right to an equitable access to education.
We care for people - health and emotional wholeness is key to transformation and growth.
We particularly seek to help those who are held captive by their circumstances - poverty, equality for women, addictions, disability, homelessness, trafficking and child labour.
We strive for the transformation and flourishing of the individual, families, the wider community and all relationships. Environmental sustainability is implicit in this.
We partner with, serve and support other small works who share the same heart and concern for the people of Kotdwara. We seek to collaborate with government and community leaders.
We seek to grow in its impact and influence in the lives of people and communities, with a goal to ultimately expand into other towns and places of need.
We strive for excellence in all matters of compliance, policy and procedures.

The background to our story

Like a book that you can’t put down, this story needs to be shared. You are invited to be captured by the lives and their stories of some beautiful people in Northern India

Our Project Directors, Daisy and Amit Samuel started working in Kotdwara in October 2010. They have very big hearts for the poor, the needy and the down trodden. Amit and Daisy share their hearts and their love for those in Kotdwara who have no voice and no place in their town and community.

Amit and Daisy commenced their life of service to Kotdwara by teaching just 25 children. Classes were held six days a week, for 2 hours each day. No meals were provided. There was much opposition from the parents due to the children being needed for begging and reg picking. A number of the children were at risk of drug addiction, particularly to lighter fluid. In 2012 the slum project grew to 35 children. There was less opposition from parents. This was because Daisy and Amit spent much time counselling them. The incidence of children begging has also reduced.

Over time both Amit and Daisy’s respect as a community leader grew in Kotdwara. Many highly distinguished people, including the Head of Police, would consult with Amit for his advice and partnership in solving social issues and problems. Amit and Daisy are held in very high regard and they work closely with community leaders.

The Thomas family first travelled to Kotdwara in January 2013, to see Amit and Daisy’s work and to meet them in person. Doug and Rowena Thomas were captured by their story and not long after, the story came to life for them and a special friendship began. In February 2014, Doug and Rowena began working closely with Amit and Daisy with the aim of supporting their work and projects. By the end of 2015 further projects including new education centres, the connection with the anti-human trafficking police unit, and with new helpers joining the team in India, our story has gathered momentum.

In 2018 we expanded to the city of Bijnor. We also started our Disability Centre in Kotdwara, initially catering for four amazing children who have never been to a school before.

All of this would not have been possible without the generous support of many people along the way.

Our projects continue to expand and our vision is to reach more people.

Our Director, Amit Samuel with our first ever class at eh Kotdwara Riverside Slum in 2011

Read about our early days

Meet some of the amazing people who are part of our story

The people of Kotdwara are beautiful. They are warm, kind and welcoming. Life is simple and hard for them. Our projects extend to people in need including medical help, crisis counselling, parent education programs, and social work intervention. There are many homeless people in Kotdwara. Many have been beggars since childhood and they suffer from terrible disabilities or mental illness (often both). Amit and Daisy have become friends with many street people and offer them help, encouragement, guidance and keep a watchful eye on their needs and safety.

Kavi Raj

This is Kavi Raj. He caught leprosy when he was 8 years old. He lives in a leprosy colony on the outskirts of Kotdwara and comes into town each day to beg on the street. He is a happy and lovely guy who always has a friendly smile and loves a chat, despite his circumstances. Kavi Raj always brings us great happiness when we visit him.

Sunjay

Sunjay is a young community leader from the very small jungle village of Parmawala. Sunjay and his wife Rakhi have a daughter Bhumika. Sunjay runs the education centre in his village and Rakhi teaches the children and also young women at the new tailoring classes held in their house. Rakhi’s mother, Savitry Davi lives with the family. She is a great cook and she prepares the daily meals for the children. Sunjay is a teacher in one of our other jungle centres.

Sunjay works with all of the teachers in our village education centres and acts as community leader for parents and others. We pay for Sunjay’s wage and college fees where he is in his second year studying law. His wisdom and leadership in the villages is having a big impact in his community.

Our teachers

Most of our teachers are qualified. They are interviewed for their suitability in the role. They live in the villages and town centres where they teach and run classes for 2 hours a day. They receive training and ongoing support from both Amit, Daisy, other team members and Doug Thomas when he visits. They must attend monthly teacher team meetings. Our first ever training session was held by Doug in October 2015, and now happens at least twice a year.