Our History and Inspiration
Through the work of the Foundation, we have sought to strengthen our understanding of poverty supporting communities to deliver lasting change – from their journey out of poverty – creating that pathway to prosperity.
Our Director – Bhupendra Mistry
My career trajectory has been spent championing social change within communities experiencing isolation and disadvantage, developing “new thinking” and making sense of their increasingly complex world, helping to drive lasting change.
Our Passion
At the Foundation, we are addressing the multiple factors that contribute to communities being locked into poverty, striving to understand the ‘whole’ person, building relationships that respond to locally defined problems with culturally sustainable solutions. …ultimately giving a ‘voice’ to those that have never had one. We find that the ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but rather where they stand during times of challenge and crisis. We do what we do because it is our passion to make a sustained and meaningful difference.
We fully recognise that our resources alone will not be sufficient to adequately support basic research, or to take most innovations to scale, however, we relentlessly press the advantages of our firm belief and commitment. Among these; a capacity for the calculated risk that underlies most innovation, for venturing where others remain reluctant to go; an ability, while ultimately insisting on measurable results, to be patient in developing sustainable solutions rather than illusory quick-fixes; and also the potential to move not just money but ‘minds and policies’.
Through our work, ultimately we are trying to understand poverty. Poverty has many different facets, each one as unique as the next, each with strengths and weaknesses that can catalyse or inhibit an individual’s journey out of their wretched existence. Getting used to selling your dignity for a few rupee’s work is one thing and living on the edge of precariousness another. But witnessing the rest of the population reaping the benefits of formidable growth is probably the most dangerous and unstable feature of poverty in India today. We are trying to make sense of this juxtaposition.
We firmly believe, It is not the investments that determine how any great organisation is judged, but the outcomes of those investments. For us, those outcomes are guided by our ability to innovate, influence, and in the end, generate impact.
To capture our learning to date and to take our life changing work to the next level, I have set up a UK based think tank – The Kamla Institute, The Kamla Institute will explore new thinking for renewal, reconnection and the restoration of hope for the poorest. It will be a platform for leading thinkers and diverse stakeholders that sets agendas, bridges divides and provide room to explore new thinking for renewal, reconnection and the restoration of hope for the poorest in society. Bringing to life an aspirational narrative about the potential of the poorest – rooted in their hopes for a just society.
Our experience tells us that poverty is mired in a sense of futility that spreads among those barely keeping afloat. This bleak surrender is part of what keeps them bonded to poverty, numbing them and us (those in far better circumstances) until it seems there will never be an end to it. Through our work we continue to provide significant opportunities in measurable, transformational change that can eventually eliminate grinding poverty. We are doing this by building bridges, moving beyond our role of facilitating, enabling and grant giving, helping the most vulnerable realign their paths out of poverty.
We will be building a positive space to spur creative thinking on critical social issues, promoting fair debate where cutting edge research and evidenced policy ideas from across the spectrum can be discussed and disseminated. Enabling access to all the latest thinking by widening the traditional policy audience so that the debate better reflects all parts of society.
Applying innovative approaches, capturing impact and critique commentary will continue to be the hallmark of our work with The Kamla Institute.
Thank you for showing an interest in our work.
In Memory of my Mother
The Legacy of Kamlaben Mistry (1938-1979)
I wish to pay tribute to my Mother, the inspiration, impetus and guiding light of this Foundation.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal
In the short time that mum graced our earth, she was admired and loved by all who came into contact with her; for her dedication to her family, resilience in the face of adversity, her sense of duty and gracefulness, in good times and bad. She never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I loved and respected her enormously; for all that she gave us, her children, and the indefatigable energy and commitment to the wider community.
