Henley locals; Brother & Sister Ryan and Jade Irving are setting off in March 2007 to kindly volunteer to work in one of the poorest regions in the world; in Darjeeling North-East India, with i-to-i a UK charity based company who specialise in ‘meaningful travel’ abroad.

Working along side local volunteers they will be working towards improving the lives of special needs children and youngsters from disadvantaged and poverty stricken backgrounds, by helping to provide them with education and daily care.


Historically tea plantation workers in Darjeeling have received low wages and lived in poor housing conditions, resulting in high levels of disease and low literacy rates. By volunteering Ryan and Jade hope to contribute by bringing valuable native English skills, advice on health issues and generally an extra pair of hands to help out wherever needed.

Ryan and Jade are giving their time for several reasons; firstly as a way to experience rural Indian life first hand and secondly as a way of giving something back.

“When we first looked into volunteering we were amazed at the poor conditions Indian people had to live in; it is staggering to think that a quarter of all Indians live below the poverty line, which is nearly 250 million people!”

It was then that Ryan and Jade decided they had to do something to help!

SO next time you enjoy a cup of tea, think of those less fortunate, who helped bring it to your table!