Shelters for rescued children in India

Wed, Jul 24th 2024 at 12:40 pm - 2:00 pm

Bill and Avril Duncan gave details of their ongoing project "The Free to Live Trust"

President Colin Brown welcomed Jim and Avril Duncan from Perth as guest speakers. Jim, a member of Perth Rotary Club, was recently awarded an OBE. In 2015 Avril started visiting India; she and Jim have visited many times since. The object of their visits is to help women who have been forced into prostitution (and their children often born as a result). Jim and Avril talked about the many children who have been fed and given a safe place to live in Bori, India, where they have been schooled and welcomed by the local people. Initially all the youngsters were housed together, but in recent times the Indian authorities have housed boys and girls separately. Financial contributions from several Scottish Rotary Clubs have helped towards building decent accommodation for the children. Many of the children who have been brought up there have become members of staff and continued to work to help in the scheme. After completing her talk, Avril mentioned that she had written two novels which were on sale, all the profits going towards furthering the work in India. Colin Mitchell gave the couple a warm vote of thanks.