Salt
of the Earth is a successful and different charity. Founded
in 1988, it was set up to support a particular non-governmental
organisation in southern Tamil Nadu called Social Change
and Development (SCAD) which had been started a few years
earlier to help the low caste, the disadvantaged and the
poorest of the poor. The people SCAD helps live in great
poverty and, without help, they would be unable to improve
their lot.
We at Salt of the Earth believe it is important
to build and maintain a close working relationship with
our partner organisation in India. To this end, Trustees
and supporters make regular visits to SCAD, at our own
expense, at which time projects are visited and discussed,
and funding agreements are made. Cletus Babu, the charismatic
Chairman and founder of SCAD, comes to the UK every two
years to meet with as many people as he can. As a result
of these on-going interactions there exists a robust and
highly practical working relationship between the two organisations
based on mutual trust, affection and respect.
We also believe that it is very important that
the very best use is made of the donations we receive. Consequently
we have a policy that every penny donated goes direct to
the project area with absolutely no deductions being made.
We can do this because everyone involved with Salt of the
Earth is a volunteer, and the expenses of the charity are
paid for from the profits of a stall, selling Indian goods,
run by some of the Trustees.
Salt of the Earth is able to demonstrate, through
its work with SCAD, that there is real hope for the developing
world and that individuals can make a significant difference
by giving, no matter how much or how little. |