When people ask me how my trip to India was, I usually pause. How do you summarise something so vivid, so emotional, and so utterly transformative in a quick sentence? The truth is, India isn’t a place you simply visit — it’s a place that happens to you. And in Hyderabad and Rajahmundry, alongside the charity Investors for Change, I experienced moments that will stay with me forever.

First Impressions: A World of Colour and Contrast

Flying into Hyderabad, I was struck by the sheer energy of the city. Known as India’s “City of Pearls,” Hyderabad blends its rich Mughal heritage with the fast pace of a modern tech hub, home to companies like Microsoft and Google^[1]. Towering new buildings rise beside centuries-old palaces and mosques. Rickshaws dart through chaotic traffic alongside sleek cars. The air hums with honking horns, the smell of spices, and the chatter of millions of people.

Rajahmundry, by contrast, offered a gentler rhythm. Nestled along the banks of the Godavari River — one of the holiest rivers in India^[2] — the city felt steeped in tradition. Known for its temples, cultural festivals, and as a centre for Telugu literature, Rajahmundry radiates warmth and hospitality. It was here that many of our most meaningful encounters unfolded.

Life-Changing Encounters

Joy in the Orphanages

One of the most profound visits was to orphanages supported by Investors for Change. Walking through the gates, I expected sadness or despair. Instead, I was met with laughter. The children radiated a kind of joy that was contagious, the kind of joy that doesn’t come from material possessions but from being truly loved and cared for. Watching them play and study, I found myself humbled. It was almost impossible to tell which children were supported by the charity and which came from nearby communities — such was the atmosphere of inclusion and dignity.

Globally, UNICEF estimates that over 140 million children have lost one or both parents^[3]. Yet standing in that orphanage, statistics gave way to faces — faces of children who, through care and education, were being given the chance to dream again.

Caring for the Forgotten

Another moment etched into my memory was visiting rescue homes for the elderly. These were men and women who had been abandoned, sometimes in heartbreaking circumstances, and left to fend for themselves. To sit with them, hold their frail hands, and listen to fragments of their stories was deeply humbling.

In India, over 20 million elderly people live without family support, many in poverty or isolation^[4]. Seeing charity staff and volunteers bring dignity, companionship, and care — often in the final days of these elders’ lives — reminded me that mercy is not just a lofty concept, but a lived, tangible act.

Empowering Young Girls

Perhaps the most inspiring stories came from outreach in rural villages, where the charity works with young girls. Through education and empowerment initiatives, they’re teaching girls how to stay safe, make informed choices, and take control of their futures. In regions where child marriage and gender-based violence remain challenges^[5], such programs are lifelines.

Listening to testimonies of teenage girls who, thanks to education, could now dream of becoming teachers or doctors, was a reminder that systemic change often begins with the empowerment of the most vulnerable.

Lessons in Perspective

I arrived in India with Western ideas about “solutions.” I left convinced that the answers lie in the resilience, ingenuity, and work ethic of the Indian people themselves. Their sense of family and community care is extraordinary. Where I saw problems, they saw possibilities. Where I saw obstacles, they saw opportunities.

India today is home to 1.4 billion people, with one of the fastest-growing economies in the world^[6]. But beyond the statistics, it is the resilience of its communities that left the deepest impression. True charity, I learned, isn’t about swooping in with answers. It’s about emptying oneself, listening, and partnering in ways that elevate dignity and unlock local strength.

Looking Ahead: From Inspiration to Action

Since returning home, one question has stayed with me: how do we move from inspiring moments to systemic change? It’s one thing to be touched by what we see, but another to translate it into long-term impact.

One gap I noticed was in leadership development. Many grassroots projects are powered by passionate individuals who pour their hearts into their communities. Yet without structured leadership training and support, the scale and sustainability of these efforts can be limited. Imagine the potential if more local leaders were equipped not just with compassion, but also with skills in governance, project management, and strategic planning.

This isn’t a new idea. Studies in international development show that investing in local leadership multiplies the effectiveness of aid and charity work by ensuring projects are community-owned and culturally aligned^[7]. It’s an area where partnerships between NGOs, businesses, and educational institutions could create real, lasting change.

Travel as a Teacher

People often say travel broadens the mind. For me, this trip reminded me that it also softens the heart. It taught me to hold my own assumptions loosely and to enter another culture with humility.

In Hyderabad and Rajahmundry, I discovered the beauty of contrasts: ancient temples beside bustling tech parks, traditional values intertwined with modern ambition, poverty alongside incredible generosity. India doesn’t hide its tensions — it embraces them, making space for both pain and progress. That in itself is a profound leadership lesson: you don’t need to have everything resolved before you move forward.

Cultural exchange research highlights that travellers who immerse themselves in different societies often develop greater empathy, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication skills^[8]. For leaders in any field — whether business, energy, or charity — these qualities are invaluable.

Building Bridges Between Business and Charity

One recurring theme in my conversations since returning is how businesses can play a bigger role in supporting transformative charity work. Too often, companies view philanthropy as writing a cheque. But what if it was about partnership? Sharing skills, providing mentorship, offering technology solutions, and engaging employees in meaningful projects?

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been shown to not only benefit communities but also strengthen a company’s reputation and employee engagement^[9]. Imagine if more businesses partnered with charities like Investors for Change — not out of obligation, but out of a shared vision to make a tangible difference.

The Personal Side of the Journey

Of course, no trip to India would be complete without talking about food. I thought I knew good curry after living near the Curry Mile in Manchester for two years. Then came Hyderabad biryani. Fluffy rice layered with fragrant spices, tender meat, and that unmistakable smoky aroma — it was, quite simply, the best curry I’ve ever tasted. Manchester, I’m sorry, but Hyderabad smoked you.

Food has a way of capturing the soul of a place. Every meal we shared was about more than nourishment. It was about hospitality, generosity, and connection. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, eating with our hands, laughing with locals — these were moments where cultural barriers melted away and friendships were born.

Travel, at its best, does that: it breaks down walls and reminds us that, beneath our differences, we all share the same hunger for dignity, love, and belonging.

A Heart of Gratitude

To everyone who welcomed us — children, elders, charity staff, and strangers on the street — thank you. You reminded me that wealth isn’t measured by what you own, but by what you give. You showed me that hope isn’t a theory; it’s a practice, often lived out in small acts of kindness and perseverance.

To my team and fellow travellers: thank you for standing together in the tough moments and for laughing with me in the lighter ones. Journeys like this are never walked alone, and I am grateful for every step we took together.