ROBIN Radley, the principal trustee of three children’s Homes in Kerala, South India, has been developing the project for the past 18 years.

He made his second visit to Malvern Priory Lunch Box on Thursday, October 23.

Chiks (that's Children's Homes in Kerala State) provides shelter and protection for homeless and orphaned children in India and welcomes children who would otherwise be scrounging on the streets or struggling to survive in the squalor of bus and train stations. They are often orphans or unwanted children of prostitutes or abused women, so the future they would otherwise face is very bleak.

The Homes also care for children whose parents can no longer afford to support them. Such children would likely have been living in cramped, unhygienic circumstances, often begging for a living rather than attending school.

The first home to have been established Karunanilayam (which means Home of Mercy) and it is a short distance north of Kochi (Cochin). It is run by Sister Mary Mathew who trained in caring for the poor with Mother Teresa in Calcutta.

Chiks also provides for two homes established in the Kerala hills. Little Flower Mercy Home, in the central region, also cares for destitute adults, and Carmel Matha Santhi Bhavan in the north works to rehabilitate rescued street children.

Every child who joins a Chiks' Home finds a loving environment and safe haven in an often challenging world. The Homes try to equip the young people with vocational training and other skills for independent living to enable them to obtain regular employment and thus halt a cycle of deprivation.

The annual cost of running the homes is about £140,000 and Chiks depends on sponsorships, grants from Trusts - and very much from donations, including those from such presentations. Should you wish to help, please write to Robin Radley MBE, c/o Chiks. 13 Lickfolds Road, Rowledge, Farnham. Surrey GU10 4AF (robin.radley1@btinternet.com )

The Chiks’ website is www.chikschildrenshomes.org.uk