www.fpsi.org.uk
Our Story
In 2000, Christopher Brown and his brother Philip made their first visit to the ancient city of Madurai in South India. Bishop Laurie Green had independently also visited Madurai. The three soon realised that together they could offer something that would help transform the lives of those in the surrounding villages where poverty was at unimaginable levels.
They therefore set up "the Friends" as a Registered Charity to raise funds in the UK which would support womens's self-help groups to establish training and sustainable employment for the women and their families. To identify the right projects, the Friends decided to work only through trusted local organisations in the region. Over the years close friendships have grown up so that we can now offer all sorts of appropriate support in addition to the funds for the many projects.
LAURIE & CHRIS MEETIING WITH VILLAGE WOMEN'S SELF-HELP GROUP
WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT THE FRIENDS?
• TRUSTEES PAY ALL THE OVERHEADS
so every penny you give goes to the poor!
• WE WORK ONLY WITH TRUSTED FRIENDS IN INDIA,
so we can be sure no donations go astray.
They run locally registered Charities, providing
first-class hands-on empowerment programmes.
• WE VISIT INDIA REGULARLY getting to know the poor
families we serve, advising when requested,
and checking that all sponsored projects are
effective and sustainable - providing good training,
employment of quality and good health services.
• WE CONTINUALLY RE-CYCLE DONATIONS so that
when a beneficary is back on their feet they donate
from their earnings to fund the next beneficiary.
It makes them feel proud & that way, your donation
just keeps going round and round!
PLEASE HELP US TO DO MORE
FPSI is a Charity Registered in England: Number 1126907