Thomas van Berckel, a Dutchman, breaks the nail of his big toe on Mahatma Gandhi Road in India's metropolis of Bangalore in August 2003. He goes to a small local hospital and experiences a 'coup de foudre' with the nurse, Lalitha, who attends to his toe.
They keep in touch and six months later, in February 2004, they marry. Another six months later, on 8 August 2004, they set up Toe to Heart Trust Bangalore India.
Toe to Heart, with the help of many volunteers and donors, has, over 20 years, intensively helped dozens of children, aged 8 to 18, graduate to PU2 level by providing Toe (small material help) and Heart (small intangible help). Read more about this Bangalore project.
Meanwhile, the first project has been succeeded by the Bangalore Rural project. This project is also about increasing opportunities for children. Read more about Bangalore Rural project.