An orphanage run by Maltese nuns in Northern India is just €6,000 away from being able to double its capacity and accommodate a further 50 orphans. 

Local NGOs Love & Peace and Fondazzjoni U have teamed up to help the Maltese Sisters of the Sacred Heart drum up the funds needed to repair and expand their orphanage in Jhandi, India. 

The centre, which is in a terrible state of repair, currently houses 50 orphans. 

The two NGOs have launched a crowdfunding campaign on local platform Zaar to collect the funds needed to fix and expand the centre. The campaign has already raised more than €10,000 of its €16,000 goal. 

“The existing infrastructure accommodates 50 abandoned children but their living conditions are extremely poor – they lack beds, furniture and other basic facilities to safeguard their health," explained Anselmo Bugeja, who is spearheading a team that will leave on a nine-week mission in September. 

“Your donation will help to provide these children with a decent place to live and an education that will help save them from poverty, abuse and crime.” 

Funds will be used to open an extension to double the orphanage's space as well as to buy beds, furniture, bathrooms and other basic facilities for the existing building. 

“This is a Maltese project, run by Maltese sisters who have dedicated their lives to helping these children,” Mr Bugeja added. “Currently, many of the children have to eat and sleep on the floor as there is no furniture, and there’s only one bathroom to share between all 50 of them.

“This is an opportunity to truly make a difference in these children’s lives and to ensure the success of this mission,” he said.

To learn more about the project or to donate, visit http://www.zaar.com.mt/projects/loveandpeace/