SCHOOL pupils welcomed two special guests last week who wanted to say thank-you for supporting their charity. Rameshwar Lal Verma, director of the non governmental organisation Nirman Sanstha, and his wife Kamala, visited Roysia Middle School, Steeple M

SCHOOL pupils welcomed two special guests last week who wanted to say 'thank-you' for supporting their charity.

Rameshwar Lal Verma, director of the non governmental organisation Nirman Sanstha, and his wife Kamala, visited Roysia Middle School, Steeple Morden Primary, Tannery Drift First School, and Chrishall Primary.

Dr Peter Gough founder of Barley-based charity Khandel-light, which aids poverty striken villagers in Rajasthan, North West India and works along side Nirman Sanstha, also spoke to the children.

Dr Gough, who gave a presentation and answered questions from pupils, said: "The children were asking about life in India, how people got around, and if they had cars.

"They were getting a handle on how different it all is.

"I showed them photos, explained how one sixth of the world is in extreme poverty, and asked how we should tackle that.

"If we all tackle small areas piece by piece, a more personal way of providing aid, we should be able to reduce that figure."

A spokeswoman from Roysia School said: "It was good for the pupils to see how the charity worked.

"Dr Gough and his guests, Mr Verma and his wife, were really good with the children.

"It was good for them to meet the people who have been raising money.

"Pupils were quite amazed at how little the people of Khandel have, and how different their culture and life is from ours."

Supporters of the fund have raised money to help the desert people in Khandel and 12 surrounding villages.

Khandel-light's latest project involves running a bus service, financed by the fund, to take older children from the villages to schools in neighbouring towns.

The bus will also be used for community and social events to help villagers.

Other problems tackled by the charity include water shortage, sanitation, health, and employment.

The principle object of Nirman Sanstha is to create an environment to halt the migration of rural families to big city slums.