Gurkha Welfare Trust
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Gurkha Welfare Trust is a British charity, established in 1969. It it the principal UK charity dedicated to the provision of aid to Gurkha ex-servicemen and their dependants in their homeland of Nepal.
Nepal has little industry, agriculture or infrastructure. Nepal also lacks any kind of public social welfare system. This means that the work of the GWT is critical in improving conditions for ex-servicemen and their dependants, who are often unable to work through illness or injury.
The Trust operates through 21 centres across Nepal that are staffed by former Gurkhas who investigate cases of hardship and distress and recommend appropriate aid.
The Trust pays a monthly stipend, enough for basic food, to about 10,000 needy Gurkha ex-servicemen and widows who do not receive a military pension (15 years' military service is required to earn such a pension). Medical treatment is also provided for them and their dependants. In addition, hardship grants are awarded to alleviate destitution following fire, flood and other natural disasters. The Trust also helps to fund the education of some 1,500 children each year.
Each year, by tradition, all serving Officers and Other Ranks in the Brigade of Gurkhas contribute a days pay to the Trust.
