Helping the homeless

Derek and Muriel Peterson were accompanied by Susan Wilson in their work on the Hope for the Future Project.

The Hope Foundation Trust is a Christian Charity registered in Manipur state, and the aim of the project is to house and support the homeless, as well as drug and alcohol addicts, as well as people with HIV/Aids.

Derek said: "We started off by having a few days in Delhi doing some sight-seeing - Mahatma Ghandi's memorial , India Gate etc - and then it was on to Lamka, a three hour plus flight away.

"Our main purpose for the visit was to put in place the Foundation Stone for the Project and the Ceremony took place on January 15.

"With the help and willingness of so many supporters and the glorous sunny weather, the day was a great success.

"The programme included a welcome from the Chief of Pearsonmun village, Pu T Thanchhung, where the Project will actually be situated. .

"We also publicly thanked Mr T Thankai who donated the piece of land to us for the Project. We were also able to visit other projects for Drug/alchol addicts and HIV/Aids support centres in and around the area of Lamka.

"Now that the foundation stone has been laid, we recognise that it is only the very beginning, and there is a huge task ahead of us which, apart from anything else, involves a huge financial commitment.

"We are of course now planning for our next visit, possibly in October, but in the meantime we are looking forward to starting the first phase of the building hopefully in the near future.

"On our return to Delhi we were able to watch a full dress rehearsal of the annual Republic Day Parade and were taken on a private tour of the Indian Parliament Buildings. Thank you to all our Indian friends for their hospitality."

More information can be seen on the Website at:-www.hopefoundationtrust.org.uk or you can email Derek Peterson on [email protected].