Projects
Since 1980 the Karuna Trust has worked with one of the world’s most disadvantaged communities – India’s so-called ‘untouchables’. Born at the bottom of the hereditary caste system, the ‘untouchables’ were considered so inferior they were forced to live apart from others, allowed to do only the most menial jobs, and denied access to education and culture.
Although ‘untouchability’ has been illegal for over fifty years, its legacy still haunts millions of men, women and children on a daily basis. Their struggle largely takes place away from the world’s gaze, simply accepted as an aspect of Hindu culture. However, they are routinely denied social opportunities and basic human rights.
Using the expertise developed within ‘low’ caste communities, Karuna now helps other marginalised groups such as refugees, tribal populations and street children. We work in 15 Indian states, and also Bangladesh, supporting self-help projects that are building dignity and challenging discrimination.
Karuna funds projects within the FWBO/TBMSG movement largely through the partner charity BH – Bahujan Hitay – meaning ‘for the good of the many’. This accounts for about 75% of Karuna’s funding. Most of these projects are in Maharastra. The remaining 25% supports non-movement projects which are spread more widely across the subcontinent - from the extreme north of India in Himachal Pradesh, to the east in Bangladesh, in Bihar and Orissa.
In the menu there is a sample of the projects we support; for a fuller picture visit the Karuna Trust website.