Halton YMCA Delegation Visits India

 A delegation of Halton YMCA Staff and Residents, a member of staff from Cosmopolitan Housing and a representative from YCare International visited an orphange in Mangalore India in January 2009.

Halton YMCA and Cosmopolitan Housing have been raising funds to buy medical supplies for the orphanage. The orphanage supports children suffer with AIDS/HIV whose parents have died from the disease.

Staff and residents have worked alongside each other to raise the funds and had the opportunity to visit the orphanage to see the children and see how the money raised will be used. Further fund raising events will be held throughout the year to give further aid to the orphanage.

Rob Price, one of the Halton residents told the Big Issue that the visit had been emotionally very tough, but ultimately worthwhile. " I found it very hard and challenging but at the same time it was nice to finally meet the children at the orphanage and see the good work that's being carried out there after raising funds for the project."

John Mackie, the Executive Director at Halton YMCA said, "This project fulfills one of the main aims of the YMCA, which is to give young people the opportunity of gaining a better understanding of themselves, their community and the wider world in which they live."