Where
The slums of Chennai (Madras), South India.

Who
Kevin & Debra Kamalraj and the team of Soveriegn King Ministries serve in the heart of the slum next to the "river" in Chennai, South India. They are a vibrant church full of people from the Dalit caste thrilled to be free to worship Jesus. They also serve the children of the community by providing an after school club which Grassroots sponsors support. We have seen the hard life these children live. Their parents earning at most a couple of hundred rupees a day (£2) and living in homes that are surrounded by the city's open sewers.

What you can do
Each of these children need a sponsor to support and pray for them. It costs £8 per month (£96 per year) - more details on the "sponsor a child" tab.

You could also join us in January on a mission trip and help us interview each child and visit homes in the community.

100 children attend the after school club that SKM run. This is a safe place for the children to do their homework, have a snack, play with others. It means that their mothers can stay at work without being afraid for their children and so provide for their families.

What does it cost?
£8 per month (£96 per year) or as much as you feel called to give. 100% of the money Grassroots receives through this sponsorship will be used to help the children. None of this money will be used on admin either in the UK or in India!

What does it pay for?
Your child will be in a group of 30. Each group has two staff to keep order and help with homework. The children get a snack each day. If they are sick they will be given free medical care. At Christmas they will get a present. Some children are also helped with school uniform and fees.

What do I need to do?
It's easy start now by filling in this form ; or online with your credit card by clicking on our shop. Once we have your details we will send you a recent photograph of your child, a certificate of sponsorship with information about their family and other personal details. We then simply ask you to pray for your child and that God will begin to overturn the system that has left this child and millions of others oppressed for so many years. Thank you!

Every January we take a small mission team from the UK to Chennai for a week. Kevin, Debra and the team organise a cheap hotel for us and then show us around their community, introducing us to all their friends. As we walk through the community we are invited into homes to pray. We join in church services and travel out to the Dalit villages to be with the churches that serve there.

The main aim is to spend time with the sponsored children. We get involved with the after school club. We interview each child - with their parent/guardian and a translator. We take their photo and give them a basic medical check. That way we have up to date information to give to the sponsors back in the UK.

What are the dates
The next trip is 24-31 January 2011

How much does it cost
In previous years it has cost £750 - but this depends on the air ticket price. This covers the air ticket, accommodation, all travel & food in India and insurance. But you will need to get your own innoculations and visa (which we will tell you how to do).

What do I have to do
Start by dropping us an This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Then download these two forms (India Application & Health Form & compliance policy) and send them with £500 deposit to the office. This remains refundable until the air ticket has been bought and we will call you to confirm details before doing that.