Our Impact

Name: Kathryn's Mercy Home Trust (UK)
Address: 48 Ditton Road, Surbiton
Telephone: 44 2083902019

KMH helps transform lives by providing support and education to children and their families from disadvantaged communities in Devakottai and the surrounding rural villages. This enables them to escape poverty and reach their full potential.

Donate Now

Devakottai is situated east of Madurai, in the state of Tamil Nadu, South India. A large number of the population are Dalits, formerly known as 'untouchables'. Gandhi called them ‘Harijans’ or ‘children of God’. The term ‘Dalit’, means oppressed, downtrodden or crushed which dramatically illustrates their position in Indian society. They work the land, living in extreme poverty in remote rural villages. The landowners view their labourers as property. Tamil Nadu is entirely dependent on the monsoon rains for recharging its water resources, so monsoon failures, more common as a result of climate change, leads to acute water scarcity and severe droughts. This leaves the agricultural labourers even more vulnerable. Housing for many is basic, with no electricity, running water, or sewerage. Without education, children can only follow their parents’ footsteps, leaving school at a very young age to work in the fields.

Whilst caste-based discrimination was prohibited and 'untouchability' abolished by the Constitution of India in 1950, such practices are still widespread and contribute to the chronic poverty seen in this part of India. It is not possible for people to escape the caste they are born into, and socially excluded groups experience great challenges in accessing entitlements and opportunities, and in moving out of poverty. KMH provides access to education which empowers communities and provides the key to escape from poverty.

One of KMH’s projects is the Joan’s Grace Home, girls' hostel, providing accommodation to over a hundred girls, up to the age of eighteen. This enables girls from remote rural villages to attend a nearby high school. This crucial access to education would simply not be possible without the support provided by KMH. Amongst the poorest people in India, female access to education is still worryingly low due to cultural barriers and the weight of domestic duties. This problem is exacerbated by the presence of other adversity. This can be seen in such cases as a girl who lost both her parents and was left with only her grandfather to look after her. Unable to support them, he considered taking both their lives. Fortunately, KMH was able to avert that course of action. The girl was taken into the girls hostel. This outcome was achieved directly as the result of the donations given to the charity. Now she, like the other girls at the hostel, has access to care, shelter and education.

Accommodating the girls in the hostel allows them to have the best chance of success, something which many have already achieved. The three wardens of the hostel have been through the projects themselves, felt the benefits, and are now instructing and caring for the next generation of girls. The headteacher of KMH's Kathryn’s Nursery and Primary School started her education as a child in one of KMH's Rural Child Development Centres. She was supported by KMH throughout her education, obtained a degree in maths and now gives education and support to 300 children under her care. These success stories and excellent role models inspire the children and young people coming through the projects.

Many others have gone on to higher education, just as Jeyapaul himself did, before starting the KMH projects. The three young people pictured here have all had over ten years in the KMH projects, which have provided them with the support and education needed to follow their interests. Two of them are studying nursing and the other one civil engineering at universities, and all three have positive futures. UK sponsors in Esher, Glossop and Lymington have given them this opportunity.

These examples show the varied pathways which lead from the KMH projects, and all highlight the importance that a donation can have in the life of these children, young people and their communities.

How you can help

Provide extra classrooms

KMH has recently finished the building of eight new classrooms at Kathryn's Nursery and Primary School. This extends the existing classroom block and will allow 200 more children the opportunity to go to school. Help us to raise the outstanding £45,000 for this project.

Transform a young life

Every new sponsor allows us to care for and educate another child. For £15 per month or £180 per year you could transform a young life.This makes a wonderful gift, or could be in memory of a loved one. Email kmhuk88@gmail.com for more information.

Support an elderly woman

Every new sponsor allows us to admit another elderly woman into Joan's Old Age Home. For £15 per month or £180 per year you could help us to care for an elderly woman.This makes a wonderful gift, or could be in memory of a loved one. Email kmhuk88@gmail.com for more information.

Make a donation

> Use the Donate Now button (we are charged a 3.5% fee for this):

Donate Now

If you have a 'Stewardship' account you might find it helpful to donate via the stewardship.org.uk/partners/KMH.UK link or by using the QR code below (a fee of up to 3.5% will be charged for this)

Alternatively, with no associated charges:

> Transfer your donation directly to KMH(UK), Sort code 40-52-40, Account number 00018566. (Some banks don't like the brackets. In this case, KMHUK is fine.)

> Set up a standing order for regular giving, either by using the standing order form which you can download here or set the standing order up yourself using online banking, or in person at the bank.

> Send a cheque made payable to KMH(UK) to 48 Ditton Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6RB.

> Consider leaving a gift in your will to help the work of KMH for future generations. Please email kmhuk88@gmail.com for more information.

Kathryn's Mercy Home Trust (UK) or KMH(UK) is a registered charity (No. 1129791). If you are a UK taxpayer, please complete a Gift Aid form which you can download here . This way we can add 25% to your donation at no extra cost to you. The Gift Aid form can be sent to us either by email kmhuk88@gmail.com or by post to 48 Ditton Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6RB.

Every pound you give us is put to good use in all the KMH projects. The projects are managed by our partner in India, Kathryn’s Mercy Home Trust (India). Registration Number 075930017. (President: Rev J Jeyapaul). All the projects are staffed by Indian nationals and are regularly inspected for welfare and child protection by the Indian authorities. None of the trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity. There are no intermediaries, administration costs or expenses. See our Internal Financial Control and Due Diligence Policy and our annual accounts.

Together we can help break the chains of poverty and transform lives