A group of young people, who have been brought up in an orphanage for homeless children in Mumbai, India are to be given the chance of going on to higher education, including studying for a degree, with funding announced from pharmaceutical company Amdipharm Mercury (AMCo). The company has offices in the UK and India.
The teenagers are cared for by the charity Snehasadan, which was set up more than 50 years ago to look after children living on the streets in Mumbai. Its founder, Spanish priest Father Ricardo Francis, became troubled by the large number of children living on the pavement and railway station in the city. The charity provides a home and education to help these children have a better future.
Fifteen students have been chosen by the charity to receive funding from AMCo. The company has supported the charity for the past three years including providing computer equipment and mentors to help them with their education.
AMCo Chief Executive John Beighton said: 'We work closely with our colleagues at our office in Mumbai and when we asked them about helping a local charity they suggested we contact Snehasadan. The work that is done there makes a real difference to the lives of children who would otherwise be living on the streets. Snehasdan provides a real home, real hope and a real future for young people and I am proud to support that work.'
Charity Director Father Noel Pinto said: 'This funding will help the young people to go on to further education and be the very best they can be. It is so satisfying to see how these children, who had the toughest of starts in life, can be given the same opportunities as other students.'
