EX-JOURNALIST’S CHARITY WORK FOR THE CHILDREN OF INDIA
A former journalist is holding an exhibition in Penarth charting his voluntary work in India.We preview Jem King’s show
AFORMER Media Wales journalist is holding an exhibition and talk based on his voluntary work with some of the most disadvantaged children and families in India.
Jem King left the Western Mail & Echo in 2015 after 28 years to focus full time on his role as communications officer for HEAL (Health and Education for All) and KISES (Kiranmayi Socio Educational Society) charities.
The 57-year-old father-of-three now divides his time between living in Andhra Pradesh, India, where he operates out of an educational campus called HEAL Paradise Village, and his home in Penarth.
“Rural southern India gets so hot between March and August that even the locals struggle with temperatures which rise as high as 50 degrees centigrade,” says Jem, who has twice cycled across India to raise awareness and funds for his volunteer work.
“While I’m back home in Wales I work as a swimming instructor and most of what I earn ends up paying school, college and hostel fees for my sponsored kids’ education.
“I also need funding to support our KISES mobile school, feeding programme and health camps for marginalised children and families living on the city dump and in the slums of Vijayawada and many other similar projects.
“I have built up a large library of photographs showing the stark contrasts of life in the poorest parts of India and the power education has to lift children out of severe generational poverty through the intervention of charities like HEAL.
“So I jumped at the chance to display some of my pictures at the invitation of All Saints Church in my home town of Penarth.” The exhibition will coincide with the church’s Week of Music event and also Penarth Summer Festival.
“There is no cost for taking in the Changing Lives in India exhibition or talk, but donations large or small will, of course, be most welcome.”
Jem currently has a crowdfunding project aimed at raising £100,000 over five years for humanitarian projects in India.
■ Full details and donations at www.gofundme/changing-livesin-india ■ The exhibition is running at All Saints Church, Penarth, this month and Jem will give an illustrated talk on his work on Wednesday, July 18 at 7pm