We believe that long term continuous support for SCAD is of upmost importance and this philosophy has enabled SCAD to grow vigorously and successfully. This commitment has given SCAD the security and confidence to sustain and develop its range of services in the villages.

We are open to fund all sorts of projects and have funded programmes that other agencies would not consider such as support for gypsies and abandoned elders. We keep paperwork and bureaucracy to the minimum and make quick funding decisions when asked to do so. We are also quick to react to emergencies. During the tsunami disaster of 2004/05 we were able to respond very quickly pledging £100,000 in the first 24 hours and, following an appeal to our supporters, we raised over £200,000 as well as succeeding in a funding application to CAFOD for £208,000.

Like our partner SCAD we are also fully committed to social change and there is much to be done. The caste system, sexism, superstition and bigotry all conspire to disempower the lives of the villagers, especially the women. We have consistently funded the training and development of the 3,000 plus Women’s Self Help Groups which are the engines of change in the villages. We also fund programmes to support the disadvantaged and discriminated against such as people with leprosy and their families, those with physical and learning difficulties, Gypsies, abandoned elders and snake catchers.

The development of self sustainable, low carbon and organic practices is a high priority. We fund organic growing programmes for farmers and promote kitchen gardens in back yards, schools and wherever there is a spare space. Our hugely successful tree planting programme has planted over 300,000 trees which is making a difference to the local environments and economies.