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Indian Trustees

Matthew Kurian is the Co-founder and Managing Trustee of the El Shaddai Charitable Trust (ESCT), dealing in Child Rescue and support of underprivileged Street Children and women.

Directed by his vision, Matthew came to Goa in 1993 and started working with alcohol and drug abusers. A chance visit to a slum changed Matthew’s perspective on life completely. Their appalling and desperate lifestyle shocked him and he began teaching them the importance of hygiene, clean drinking water and healthy food. His heart specially went out to the children who were living in such filthy and depressing conditions. He was moved when he saw them begging on the streets, collecting rubbish and even eating out of garbage bins to relieve their hunger. There Matthew got his vision and mission in life. He wanted to start Homes and Shelters for these children, but due to lack of funds could not do so. One Sunday morning an English lady called Anita Edgar came to his church and shared her vision with Matthew, which happened to be the same as his and so together they began a Charity called El Shaddai Charitable Trust and have been working together ever since.

Matthew has travelled the length and breadth of India to promote the welfare of children and is pioneering to bring an alternative Non-Formal Educational System to the country. He has also travelled to many countries overseas to promote ESCT. The charity has grown in every direction due to his tireless efforts and hard work. Matthew has also received a number of awards including the National Award for Child Welfare 2008 at the hands of Ms. Sonia Gandhi. 

Anita Edgar, is the Co Founder and Executive Trustee of El Shaddai Charitable Trust supporting underprivileged & deprived Street Children in India. Anita, as the main Fundraiser, provides the money needed to look after the Children by finding sponsors. She works in Goa with great enthusiasm and drive from November to April every year and then often travels to America, Europe and Australia raising funds and promoting the much-needed work of El Shaddai. When eventually reaches home in Devon, she continues steadfastly and tours the UK giving talks and slide show presentations. Her passion clearly gives her the required energy. The tremendous love and tireless dedication of working with the Street Children in India has gained her recognition worldwide. The children are so fond of her; they affectionately call her ‘Anita Mother’.

Mr. Steven Mendes is a Trustee & Financial Comptroller of El Shaddai Charitable Trust. Steven has done his B.Sc. in Physics & Diploma in Electronics and is a Social worker.

Mr. Sarab Daman Kumar Sood is a Trustee of El Shaddai Charitable Trust. He works as a Technical consultant & Sr. Recording engineer. He has worked as a Technical Consultant in Acoustics & Recording for past 38 years.

 Mr. Ben H Berson is a Trustee of El Shaddai Charitable Trust. He has done BE in Mechanical and is working as a Senior Education Officer.

Mr. Thomas Jacob is a Trustee of El Shaddai Charitable Trust. He is a Bachelor in Commerce & Bachelor in Law, he has been practicing as a Lawyer for the past 16-17 years.

Mr. San Antonio D'mello is a Trustee of El Shaddai Charitable Trust.  He has achieved A/O Level in London University. He is a professional Music Teacher, teaching music for the past 13 years.

UK Trustees:

 
 Ms. Ruth Bealing

Trustee

Mr Paul Grassick

  Trustee

Ms Patricia Kellett

Trustee

Pastor Michael Whittle, Trustee of El Shaddai Charitable Trust. He runs the Good News Gospel Gospel Church in UK. Tis Church began with seven people on the streets of Ashton in 2002. Their heart is to reach out and help the community that they live in. They help feed, clothe and educate children and supply poor families with goats and other animals, land and seed to help them become self sufficient. They help with building and improving class rooms and also water wells.El Shaddai has received continuous support from the Good News Gospel Gospel Church