THE Indian sub-continent has a massive, and growing, poverty problem; some 80 per cent of the 1.2 billion population are poor – and hundreds of millions of these are in the most dire poverty.

India is, of course, a country of contrasts – a growing middle class, a wealthy top level of oligarchs and the vast majority limited by mediaeval practices of caste and religion.

Robin Radley has undertaken the immense task of managing three orphanages in Kerala in the south of India at a time when the European recession has taken its toll on charitable donations.

However, he was able to recount the satisfaction of providing a stable background and formal education to children brought up at the lowest subsistence level.

The cost of providing financial support for the orphanage through sponsorship is £12 per month per child – about half of what it actually costs to keep a boy or girl.

In fact, Robin has to find a minimum of £6,000 per month to maintain the basic running of the orphanages.

For information, contact robin.radley1@btinternet.com.