A PROJECT in York is celebrating 30 years of changing the lives of thousands of poor children in India.

Project Mala, based in Upper Poppleton, supports the children of carpet weavers in India, by providing them with education which helps them to break free from poverty.

In the 30 years since it was set up, the project has provided education for more than 10,000 children, 8,500 of whom have completed their education and moved onto better things.

Project Mala was founded by Robin Garland, who ran a large oriental hand knotted carpet company, but had never been to India to see the manufacturing process.

Thirty years ago, he visited the carpet factories that supplied his company, and decided to do something about the situation he saw there.

Robin said: "Almost all Mala children come from the poorer section in society and have never had the opportunity of a formal education.

"Our aim is to enable children to reach their full potential through quality education and so make the most of their lives within the primitive facilities of India’s rural villages."

Pradeep Awashti is one of the most recent success stories, who started at a Project Mala school and is currently studying at Foremarke Hall - Repton’s Preparatory School - in Derbyshire.

His tutors and headmaster said they were “proud” of him, and he is “a unique person who has made a difference to the school”.

In the last 30 years, Project Mala has set up five girls-only pre-schools, six primary schools, three middle schools, two secondary schools, and an intermediate boarding college, all of which provide nutrition and healthcare as well as education.

Pradeep will soon be returning to India, and will be speaking at Poppleton Methodist Church's community hall on Saturday, May 25, between 6pm and 8pm.

Entry is free and all are welcome.