From Malta To Mumbai: Charles And Ron Are Helping Indian Street Orphans Set Up An Awesome Library Cafe
Leading Maltese fashion designers Charles & Ron have taken a moment from designing fabulous pieces to help out one of their friends – a former street kid named Amin Sheikh from India.
After leaving his orphanage at the age of 17, Amin wanted to find a way to tackle the child homelessness that could be seen all over his city of Mumbai. That’s when he came up with an idea.
“Amin’s dream is to help street kids and give them a purpose by working and earning a living in the Bombay To Barcelona Library Cafe in Mumbai,” Ron Van Maarschalkerweerd Borg told Lovin Malta.
“Amin’s a former street kid among a group of former street kids like our friend Khushboo,” Ron continued.
Having worked closely with some of these street kids, most of whom are orphans, Charles and Ron became close to their cause and wanted to help out.
“Khushboo has been an intern at our studio in previous years and is like a daughter to us. All of them have had very difficult lives but together they are creating something very beautiful to also help other street kids,” they said.
Charles and Ron with the Dream Team
Customers can eat tasty treats and drink freshly made beverages while reading one of the books in the cute cafe.
The cafe even has a policy of giving a free muffin and hot chocolate to any street children who enter the place.
From Indian street kid to a business owner, Amin wants his cafeteria-library project to give a chance to homeless youth, helping them to get a decent job and reorient their lives, promoting their social integration and personal training.
However, it hasn’t been smooth sailing.
After Amin opened the library cafe, he found out the landlord was not paying the bank back, and the library cafe was shut down, setting Amin and his Dream Team back to square one.
But after he lost everything, Amin was determined to continue and find a new venue, which he now has, and is now working hard to raise funds to re-open the special place.
“Our goal is to raise awareness and help them as much as we can,” continued Ron. “As the project really gives a future to kids that otherwise might end back on the streets.”
People can help Charles, Ron, and Amin by donating any amount, including just €1 a month.
Charles and Ron urge people to get involved either by contacting them directly or by following this link to find out more and begin donating. Even €1 a month can make a difference.
Alternatively, you can make a donation via PayPal to: [email protected]
Share this story and help Charles and Ron achieve Amin’s dream and get more kids off the streets of Mumbai
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