With an increasing population of more than 1 billion India is home to one-sixth of the world’s population.

Whilst India has made great development progress over the last two decades there is still a long way to go to achieve India’s goal of eradicating poverty. Approx 350m live below the official poverty line, which means that their income is less than Can$1 or £0.50p a day, not enough for adequate nutrition.

Whilst life expectancy is 63 years (20 years less than the western world), infant mortality stands at 87/1000. 80% of the population live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their living with poor or little access to safe water, food security, ownership of land or essential services such as water electricity, education or health.

Just 15% of the rural population have access to a toilet. For information on Sanitation projects visit www.bless.org.in