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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Frishta's vision?
2. When will the Frishta Village be ready?
3. How will children be selected to live in the Frishta Children's Village?
4. What happens to the Frishta children when they reach 18 yrs of age?
5. What percentage of Frishta's income is spent on Admin?
6. Isn't it wrong these days to put orphans in institutions?
7. Do you offer sponsorship of Frishta children?
8. What is required in the way of character references for visitors?
9. Are there additional requirements for volunteers?

If your question is not covered, do please get in touch by emailing us at info@frishta.org.uk

What is Frishta's vision?

Frishta believes that all children are worthy of justice and respect, and we are convinced that no child or situation is completely hopeless. We are committed to helping and restoring those children who are abandoned, trapped by poverty, socially excluded, discriminated against and exploited:

We are building a children's village for Indian street children
Living in a Frishta family home will transform their lives!
The kids can play and be themselves without the fear of being beaten up.
They can go to school - be able to read a book for the first time!
They will get a good education, then a job and their own place to stay.
Frishta helps them escape the grip of poverty over their lives, to become normal children and later productive citizens.
Our vision is to give street children a home, an education, a hope and a future!

When will the Frishta Village be ready?

Phase 1 construction is planned to begin in April 2008: 6 family homes, school and clinic, caring for a total of 72 children. The longer term vision is for additional homes and facilities with potential for caring for up to 200 children.

How will children be selected to live in the Frishta Children's Village?

Frishta is already in partnership with an existing local Charitable Society and has contact with other NGOs (Non Government Organisations) who know of children who are in need of a home. Initially we will select children with less challenging behaviours so that we can more quickly establish a stable home environment into which children with greater emotional and psychological needs can be admitted later.  Children will be selected on a need-criteria basis, not caste, race, religion or gender.

What happens to the Frishta children when they reach 18 yrs of age?

For older children who will be moving on to independent life, appropriate training to enable them to earn a living will be provided. The vocational or skills training offered, e.g. needlework and computer skills, will be realistic given the economic and work opportunities actually available in the surrounding area. We also hope to build up partnerships with local employers to offer work experience and apprenticeships. For those children that have the ability, further education and Universities and Colleges will be sought.

What percentage of Frishta's income is spent on Admin?

The percentage varies each year, but since we began, the average has been less than 0.2%. Also, all administration costs are more than covered by the Trustees contributions, meaning that all donations go direct to Frishta's work of helping children in real need.

Isn't it wrong these days to put orphans in institutions?

We firmly believe that the best place for children to be brought up is in a caring and loving family. Our first duty when receiving a child from the street is to make every effort to return children to their families wherever possible. However, children may not know where they are from, some will have simply gotten lost, or have been trafficked.

There are other factors which mean residential care in India remains an option:

• At 18 million, India has the highest number of street children of anywhere in the world
• There isn't the tradition of fostering or adoption in India as in Western countries.

Also, residential care doesn't have to 'institutionalise' children. We have taken great pains in researching and developing a care model that replicates the family as close as practically possible.  Rather than large dormitories housing 30 or 40 children, we will have no more than 12 children in a self-contained family home and each will have trained, dedicated, full-time house parents giving children the best possible care and start in life.

We will also provide developmental opportunities to avoid creating dependency:

• moderate involvement in chores such as washing, and cooking
• education to as a high a standard as the child is capable of in English Medium or Punjabi speaking schools
• actively encourage participation in sports to build confidence, teamwork, fitness and health
• counselling, life skills training and career guidance to ensure a smooth transition into adult life, and
• further education and vocational training options that meet their individual abilities.
  

Do you offer sponsorship of Frishta children?

I believe that if every person or family in the developed world sponsored a child in the developing world, then together, we each would really make poverty history.

Compared to the situations that Indian orphans and street children live in day by day, our own children have many privileges that they take unquestioningly for granted. If you have children and you want them to know about other children in the world and the lives they live, you want them to care about the lives of those less fortunate and really appreciate what they themselves have, then Frishta child sponsorship is for you.

Sponsoring a child in the Frishta Children's Village will allow your family the privilege of watching 'your' Frishta child grow up as your own children grow up. They could share common experiences like learning to ride a bike or play football, cricket, and chess or send pictures and photos to each other.

If you want to do something meaningful, practical, life-changing and long lasting then child sponsorship is the right step. There will be many Frishta boys and girls in need of Aunties and Uncles – how about it?

What is required in the way of character references for visitors?

The world we live in is a dangerous place and there are a lot of people who are not the types that we would allow to visit the children's village. As a result, we have some procedures that we require everyone to comply with who wishes to visit us. Unless you are known personally by one of our staff members, or highly recommended by someone we trust the following is required:

• A current police /CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check
• A suitable character reference from someone who knows you and is of some standing in your community. Along with this we would require contact details for that person so that we can verify the details as true.
• If you are the member of any church or religious organization we would request another reference from someone in leadership, preferably a Pastor/Reverend who knows you personally.

We do have to be careful as to whom we have coming in contact with the children. We are more than happy to have visitors, but the safety of our children is most important to us.

If you want more details about visiting India we recommend the Lonely Planet guide book which can be purchased from any good bookstore and if you want more details about visiting the Frishta Village, the best idea is just too simply get in contact with us. We are happy to answer any questions you might have about us or visiting us. See also FAQ 9) 'Are there additional requirements for volunteers?'.

Are there additional requirements for volunteers?

In addition to the checks and references referred to in FAQ8) above, 'What is required in the way of character references for visitors?', we have an Application Form that all potential volunteers need to complete. Please email our Volunteer Manager William Atkinson, william[at]frishta.org.uk