DIRECTORS of a Lancashire-based charity have paid a visit to India to see how donations collected locally are being spent on the ground.

Staff from Tauheedul Charity visited seven Indian states during a whirlwind twelve-day tour.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The charity delivers several projects in India, including Cycle to School and Millon School Meals.

During the trip the team took a total of 11 flights, visiting cities including Mumbai, and Calcutta, as well as the region of Kashmir.

They covered a total distance of 13,200 km – excluding the 15598 km journey from the UK to India and back.

In West Bengal, close to Calcutta, charity bosses visited remote villages where children are benefitting from school meals provided by the charity.

Director Yusuf Patel said: “We were saddened to learn that many girls from the region are trafficked to Mumbai and other cities and used as prostitutes.

“It is clear that a much stronger emphasis is required on education and spirituality is required to alleviate the root causes of poverty.”

The team also visited Gangasagar, an island 100km south of Calcutta, where the charity is providing 10,000 meals to the inhabitants and children of the island.

Yusuf Patel said: “We saw a school on the island that was made exclusively from bamboo and straw. There is no flooring, no chairs or tables.

“Children sit on the soil and acquire a basic level of education. Yet, those who come to school are regarded as the fortunate minority who have some access to education.”

The tour also took in the city of Goalpara in the state of Assam. The charity has delivered various projects in Assam since the 2012 conflict and provides for 200 orphan girls at the House of Orphans Institute in Goalpara.

During their visit, the team distributed cycles to school children, many of whom live 4km from the school.

Yusuf Patel said: “Our Cycle to School programme is designed to ensure children from rural villages are not disadvantaged and have access to education.”