Date:14/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/14/stories/2006091407980200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Helping poor children pursue education

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: Christel House, which supports over 700 underprivileged children at its learning centre near Hennur Road, has received a large bounty. ING Vysya Foundation has contributed 100,000 euros to construct a senior school building that will cover 17,495 sq ft and house classrooms for children in Classes 8 to 12th.

The new building will also contain four new science labs and accommodate 400 more children in need of education.

Vaughn Richtor, Managing Director and CEO, ING Vysya, inaugurated the second phase of the school building.

The donation is part of the bank's global mission under the "Chances for Children" programme, he said. The programme in partnership with UNICEF aims to provide education to 50,000 needy children in India, Brazil and Ethiopia before end of 2007.

Free, basic education is to be provided to all the children covered.

Christel House works through associations with individuals and corporates and has on its board of trustees eminent persons such as Raju Sahani, Tej Sahni, Shekhar Seshadri and Anne Warrior.