Central to all that we do at Love the One India is putting the child at the centre as our focus and our priority. In all our relationships with the individual child, families, communities and organisations, the child's best interests are paramount for us to consider over any other agenda.

The ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC 1989) represented the global recognition that children are not only entitled to human rights, but those pursuing to see these rights realised should be guided by the best interests of the child.

Corruption can destroy a nation and people's lives. In India we sadly see corruption on many levels. As an Indian Trust we are passionate about standing firm against any form of corruption in our own work. 

We as a team want to hold fast to the values of truth & honesty in all situations, which in practical terms means that we commit to not lie, steal, accept or give bribes. We work hard on having transparency and good governance throughout our work. 

We want to be known as a Trust that can be trusted completely, a Trust that is generous to all and is working to genuinely better the lives of the individuals, families and communities we are a part of.

Extreme or absolute poverty was defined by the United Nations in 1995 as:

“a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. It depends not only on income but also on access to services.” [Report of the World Summit for Social Development - UN 1995]

As a Trust we are committed to work with children and their families in this category. We stand in solidarity with those families and communities trapped in the poverty cycle as together we seek justice and transformation for their situations. 

We want all children to experience life in its fullness and we do everything we can to take sustainable steps to see the end of poverty.

Justice issues surround us each day as we work in the poorest communities, whether through situations where children have not being able to access health care or schooling, widespread child abuse issues, child labour and exploitation, unfair wages, corruption resulting in the poor not being able to get what they are entitled to and the list continues on and on.

Where we find injustice happening, whether to a child, their family or their community, we commit to not turning away and pretending we didn't see the problem, but actively engage in speaking out in the best interest of the child, and acting to promote justice in their situation, in a sensitive and culturally relevant way. 

The caste system in India is a system of social stratification, which has historically separated communities. Discrimination against lower castes in India is illegal, as stated in its Constitution, and we stand with the Government of India in upholding this value.

As a Trust we have gone one step further. Within our staff team, all are free in their own homes to have their own opinion regarding caste issues in their families and communities. However, once at work, a common value we share is for equality for all.

In practice this means that we value each member of our team equally, there is no-one who is above or below another person in terms of value. Our team structure means we have small teams with their own team leader, but we invest time and energy in affirming one another and promoting value and care for all.

This then extends out into our work. Every child, parent or official who walks through our doors is treated in the same way, from the poorest to the richest communities. Each person we interact with should be treated with respect, value and genuine care. 

In all the communities we work in within India, caste issues are prevalent. Those on the margins of society can be looked down upon, ignored or exploited and barriers spring up everywhere preventing strong community building and harmony. Where barriers can come down in communities, where caring for one another becomes the norm, then we see the whole community thriving!

We appreciate and value the uniqueness of every human being, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, creed or sexual orientation.

We appreciate living in a multi faith society and honour those of different faiths in our  team and partners and the contribution they bring to our organisation. We believe strongly in the freedom of choice for every individual with respect to their own personal faith.

As a Trust we have a family feel approach to how we work as a team, where all should feel safe, valued and cared for as we work together. We work together as a secular, humanitarian organisation. 

We believe in doing things well!

Though we work in a low resource area, all that we do should be done to the best of the ability with the resources we have access to.

So whether it is practising evidence based medicine, producing an excellent standard of health booklets, setting up a child friendly pre-school environment, we commit to doing it with all our energy, using all our professional skills and do the very best we can for the wonderful children we get to work alongside!