Frishta's History & Vision

Having travelled throughout North and South India, Nigel and Rachel Studley were painfully aware that small handouts would not change the lives of the street children they encountered, but they were determined to take positive action and do something practical to help.

As an answer to the street children's problems, Frishta Children's Village was established and registered as a UK not-for-profit charity in 2003 (registered charity no. 1100368).

From the outset, Frishta's mission statement has been ‘giving children a home, an education, a hope and a future'. We want to see each child in our care released from their chains of poverty and nurture them to bring about permanent improvements in their lives. Through education, sports and development of abilities and character, we will recognise each child's right to develop to their full potential.

Land and Building Project

Eight acres of land has been acquired near the town of Dera Basi, 25km S.E. of the city Chandigarh, the state capital of Punjab. Punjab, with a population of 25 million people, is situated in northern India, bordering Pakistan to the west. Frishta's land is in a agricultural setting, not far from the foothills of the Himalayas and the though the city is close by, Frishta children will be removed from the pollution, dangers and corruptions of big city life.

In this section:
Strategy Introduction
Some Hard Facts
Life on the Streets
Frishta History & Vision
Land & Building Project
Frishta's Approach
Caring & Sharing

Frishta Children's Village desires to give as many homeless children as possible from Punjab, or indeed any part of India, a chance to get off the street. The initial goal is to house up to 72 children in the Frishta Children's Village in residential accommodation. Sports facilities will include playing fields, play areas and a swimming pool.

Places in the children's home will be offered for free, based on need, not gender, caste, religion or race.