The latest Dawlish Probus Club meeting was held on Monday at the Manor House.
Clive Baker gave members an illustrated heart-rending talk on the El-Shaddai Charitable Trust.
Appropriately, El-Shaddai means 'Lord of comfort, provider of all.' The charity was set up by Anita Edgar in 1966, following her experience during a holiday on the coast of Goa, along the western shores of India.
While exploring off the beaten track she came upon the slums, where she was particularly moved by the plight of so many young children living off the streets.
In the absence of birth certificates, these children do not exist in the eyes of the authorities, and, as such, are denied medical treatment, education and a future.
in conjunction with the local church, she has subsequently opened four children's homes in abandoned Portuguese mansions, housing a total of 220 deprived children, many of whom have been subject to sexual and violent abuse.
The charity has opened a school in a stress-free environment, taught by Indian graduates, while 64 children, with greater academic ability, are attending local private schools at the charity's expense.
The next step is for the charity to provide a training village to enable the elder children to learn a trade before they return to the local community.
Funding is primarily by means of regular monthly donations, and further information can obtained at the charity's UK office on 01626 368777.