April 2026



Every penny donated goes to the Venkat Trust. All UK costs are met by the Trustees

Update from Emma Holder, UK Sponsorship/Supporter Coordinator

Our promise to all the sponsored children has always been that their further education will be paid for if they get the necessary academic results, work hard and join in the life of Trust. Numbers were low in the early days but, with the wonderful Higher Secondary School education paying off, there are now around 75 students at university or in vocational training at any one time.

With our major building projects now completed, this means that fees are now the main fundraising commitment and so, at the end of last year, we set up the Brighter Futures Fund for all the sponsored children going onto further education. Until then, £12 from the monthly £18 sponsorship went direct to the child, with the rest going into his or her savings for the next stage. Now the £6 balance is paid into Brighter Futures Fund, along with the annual proceeds of the Brighton and Hove Half Marathon. Once they move onto further education, students receive the full £18 a month for the duration of their degree or vocational course.

In the past, when a sponsored child’s savings ran out, we’ve asked their sponsor if they might be able to contribute to their fees. This will now stop, however any contributions to boost the Brighter Futures Fund will always be gratefully received of course!

The weather did its best to put a dampener on this year’s Brighton Half Marathon on 1 March but our plucky runners all had a blast and raised a magnificent £24,808 for the Brighter Futures Fund. Honourable mention to Sylvia whose Sedentary Half Marathon brought in £1,010!

Thanks to everyone who pounded the wet streets for the Trust and commiserations to those whose training injuries meant they had to cheer from the sidelines. Particular thanks to our Honorary Fundraiser Alex, who made it all happen.

Anyone missing the training? Put 28 February 2027 in your diaries!

Team Venkat, Brighton Half Marathon 2026

I’m often asked by supporters about visiting Kovalam. Many have been over the years, including for Sylvia’s Big Birthday Bash when 44 supporters spent a wonderful long weekend there.

If there’s sufficient interest, we’ll arrange a supporters’ group visit to the village over the weekend of 22-25 January 2027.

In the company of Venkat trustees, you’ll have the opportunity to look around the Primary and Higher Secondary Schools, join in Sunday morning fun at the JR Community Hall and visit your sponsored child/children in their home. If you’re interested, please email emma@venkattrust.org.uk You won’t be committing to anything at this stage but it would be helpful to have a rough idea of numbers by the end of May, after which we will provide fuller information.

This isn’t a package holiday I’m afraid! You’ll be responsible for booking flights and accommodation, with guidance from us, as well as arranging which other places in India you’d like to visit.

If you’ve been pondering a visit to Kovalam for a while, this is your golden opportunity to join us. A warm welcome awaits newbies and returning supporters.

Until next time...

We are very grateful to our volunteers: Sandra Huggett for her admin work, Alex Smallman, our Honorary Fundraiser and Astrid Hunton of Expat Academy for the layout and circulation of our Newsletter.

The Venkat Trust is a registered charity No.1104363

The Venkat Trust, 12 Westbourne Gardens, Hove BN3 5PP

Tel: 01273 719362

|e-mail: info@venkattrust.org.uk |website: www.venkattrust.org.uk

UK Trustees: Sylvia Holder, Lindsay Swan, Sarah Da Silva,

Nick Goslett, John Whelan, Natalie Lee, Frankie Knight, Helen Bathe

Kovalam Trustees: Janakiraman (JR), M. Ali