Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Reaching the Unreached
  • India
  • Shop
  • Search
  • Contact
Menu
  • About
    • Overview
    • Why we do what we do
    • Our impact
    • Our story
    • Our people
    • News
    • Blog
  • What we do
    • Where we work
    • Children and young people
    • Housing
    • Water
    • Empowering women
    • Healthcare
    • Success stories
  • Get involved
    • Sponsor a child
    • Donate to our programmes
    • Support a fundraiser
    • Other ways to help
    • Shop
    • Churches
    • Visit India
  • Sponsor a child
  • Donate
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. About
  2. Why we do what we do

Why we do what we do

Poverty in modern India: life on the edge

Lacking basics such as housing, water and sanitation, a huge number of families in rural villages in South India face a daily challenge just to survive.

In spite of recent economic growth, 30% of the population in India still survives on less than $1.90 a day, and half of India’s children live below the poverty line. Among people belonging to the lowest (scheduled) castes, less than 10% have salaried employment, and the majority rely on seasonal or irregular labour to support themselves and their families.

As our founder James Kimpton recognised all too well, life in these communities is precarious: malnutrition is common and many children have no-one to care for them. Education is an unaffordable luxury, and events such as injury or illness can push an entire family into destitution. 

Reaching the Unreached exists solely for the benefit of the most disadvantaged children and their families in South India. Our wish is to serve them with humility, providing practical help and support to those who are most vulnerable.

Our mission is to care for the felt basic needs and priorities of the most vulnerable people, especially women and children. 

Caring for vulnerable children, providing them with an education and giving families the support and means to lift themselves out of poverty is fundamental to our vision, work and beliefs.

how we have helped change lives for the better.

Donate to where the need is greatest

Published: 15th September, 2017

Updated: 10th July, 2020

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Peter Bowe celebration 2022

    Peter Bowe celebration 2022

    Since first visiting Brother James, the founder of RTU, in 1982, I have been most impressed by their work with the most destitute people of that area of Tamil Nadu in South India

  • Petrina's 50th Birthday fundraiser

    Petrina's 50th Birthday fundraiser

    I am choosing this fantastic charity, Reaching the Unreached, as it has always been close to my heart. From a young age, we fundraised as a family and through St Peter's School in Bournemouth where me and my three children studied, so I have followed the wonderful work they have done over many years

  • Brother Lionel Sponsored Walk

    Brother Lionel Sponsored Walk

    This year's Brother Lionel Sponsored Walk is taking place on Sunday 3rd October in Poole Park. You can help raise vital funds for Reaching the Unreached by supporting our walkers!

  • Coronavirus Crisis Appeal

    Coronavirus Crisis Appeal

    Support the most vulnerable people to survive this crisis

Most read

  • Welcome to Reaching the Unreached

    Welcome to Reaching the Unreached

    RTU exists to help create a brighter future for the most disadvantaged children and families in rural villages in South India

  • Sponsor a child

    Sponsor a child

    Transform a young life by sponsoring a child for just £15 a month

  • Our story

    James Kimpton's vision of a bright future for orphaned and destitute children and families living in poverty in South India

  • James Kimpton

    James Kimpton

    James Kimpton, Founder of Reaching the Unreached: 1925 - 2017

  • Where we work

    Where we work

    The poorest communities in the area of South India where we work depend on irregular, poorly paid work, mostly in the agricultural sector

  • Coronavirus diary

    Coronavirus diary

    Read the latest news from our area

  • Why we do what we do

    Lacking basic needs such as housing, water and sanitation, a huge number of the poorest families in South India face a daily challenge just to survive

  • Build a house

    Build a house

    Help us build a safe, secure new home for a family in need

  • Children's Villages - a safety net for orphaned children

    Children's Villages - a safety net for orphaned children

    Our Children’s Villages provide the family, home and community many poor children would otherwise lack

  • Visit us in India

    Visit us in India

    The best way to see for yourself the impact we are having is to pay us a visit

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Search

Menu

  • Contact us  
  • Full sitemap  
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Safeguarding policy
  • Annual Review from India
  • Login
  • Logout
  • Manager

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR NEWS

Join us

Reaching the Unreached is registered with the Charity Commission of England & Wales, Registered Charity No 1091295. 
Reaching the Unreached in India is registered as a Society, Registration No 42 under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act 27 of 1975 at the Dindigul District Registrar's Office, Tamil Nadu, India.
© Copyright 2017 Reaching the Unreached. All rights reserved.

Coronavirus Update: our emergency relief work is feeding and supporting families struggling during the lockdown