Our Work
When an individual’s life changes, they can change their community. When a community changes, they can change society
Overcoming poverty and discrimination in South Asia
Over 200 million people in South Asia still live under the poverty line.
With a lack of access to education or resources, these communities are often restricted to unsafe and exploitative work, such as cleaning out public toilet pits or working in toxic brick-making factories.
Children and women are particularly at risk. More than half of vulnerable children drop out before finishing primary school, while women suffer magnified discrimination due to their gender, with most being taken out of school early to be sold into marriage and household service at the cost of their own independence.
By forming partnerships with affected communities, we ensure sustainability and self-reliance; by bringing organisations together, we form networks who spread their benefit further than they ever could have alone.
Working together in this way, we are committed to eliminating inequality, ensuring access to decent and humane work and providing education for all – with no one left behind.
How we create change
1.
By giving people the tools, support and the skills to lead dignified lives, they become champions of their communities and support others.
2.
Working with grassroots organisations based in South Asia from within the affected communities themselves, we can ensure self-reliance and sustainability.
3.
We bring these organisations together, forming networks which can spread their benefit to more individuals, restarting the cycle of transformation.
Stories from the field
What I admire about Karuna’s work is their grassroots approach to improving the lives of the most marginalised people in India and Nepal. I find their commitment to the education of girls and women particularly inspiring as I believe it’s the greatest gift you can give to anyone
— Kate Atkinson/ Karuna Ambassador
