Frequently Asked Questions

With India being the 13th fastest growing economy in the World why help them, can’t they help themselves?
Whilst India continues to experience economic growth, the gap between rich and poor is considerable. A large number of the population lives below the poverty line, with children experiencing immense hardship.

Why do we not work in Africa?
We would love to but with limited resources we feel it wise to not spread our work too thin. We do have great ambition however, and will continue to consider other countries including Africa where our chief executive has worked before. At the moment it would be a step too far.

Are you financially competitive with other companies doing this sort of thing?
We believe we are, we always try to drive down costs. We are after all a charity with a “not for profit” ethos. The projects themselves are seen as very good value for money as we work with the local builders, artisans and villagers.

Are you an environmentally friendly charity?
Yes. All our buildings are constructed with locally available materials to allow the villagers to do their own maintenance. All contractors are local indigenous people, and their work for us brings much needed money into the economy. Local villagers are encouraged to help with the construction work to encourage “ownership”. Where possible we plant trees and flowers to offset our carbon footprint. We do everything we can to minimise the risk to the environment when we are trekking or camping. All our people are encouraged to behave in a responsible manner with regard to local customs and religious beliefs.

How do we ensure sustainability?
Our aim is to finance the building works. On completion we then hope to hand over the project to the local villagers to manage. We would always consider some further support on a short term basis. We would, however, try to arrange a visit once a year to completed projects to reassess the value of our work.

How should I go about fundraising?
Lotus Flower Trust has considerable expertise in this area, so if you are short of ideas, please get in touch! Always leave plenty of time to raise funds and create a plan of action. Try to think creatively and do something a bit different.

How much will it cost?
Costs do vary depending on a number of factors (eg., exchange rates, travel times, etc.) Roughly, to join us in India, it will cost between £1500 – £2000 ‘all in’ – this includes travel in-country and accommodation but excludes £1000 minimum fundraising requirement. Other costs are dependent on personal choice, such as gifts you may wish to purchase or amendments that are requested to the travel itinerary. NB. The costs indicated are a rough guide only; we do not pay these costs but are indicated for individuals who may wish to visit a project with us.

How do we choose the projects?
We follow an in-depth process when evaluating and adopting projects. Most projects initially start from an approach from an NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation). The project is then researched and evaluated before being passed to the Trustees for approval. Upon approval, it is then adopted by Lotus Flower Trust and fundraising commences.
The final decision will only ever be made after in-depth discussions with the community in order that we provide exactly what local people need rather than what we think might be best.

How long does a project normally take to be completed?
Much depends on the scale of the project, but roughly 1 to 2 years. Due to the extreme seasonal climate in some areas, work can only take place at certain points throughout the year.

What does a project cost?
Again, this depends on the scale of the project but is normally between £20,000 and £60,000. Some smaller projects have been completed to a budget of £10,000.

Can you provide a break down of building costs?
Yes, we can make these available to you.

Do we involve the local people?
We most certainly do. We use local labour and encourage the community to get involved with the building works. Thus we bring finance into the local areas and thus ensure real ownership of the completed home, school or orphanage.

What is the weather like?
India is a vast country – over 1.2 million square miles. As such, the weather varies greatly from one area to the next! All our visits are scheduled to avoid extremes in climate and to ensure that the work required can be completed.

Where do we sleep?
For most trips, the accommodation will consist of either camping in tents or in hotels. For some trips, you may have lots of fun taking the night train.

Should I take anti-malarial medication?
It’s important to consult your GP before travel. All guests will receive a medical checklist to confirm any project-specific requirements.

What clothing should I take?
These requirements depend on which area and project you will be working. You will receive guidance on suitable clothing for the area / project.

How do I avoid falling ill?
Some of our guests are particularly concerned with avoiding ‘Dehli Belly’ whilst travelling. Rest assured, all our guests are well looked after. The simple answer is to always follow our advice! All food is provided on the trip – for any other foodstuff, please check with the Trust representative before consuming!