Our 25th birthday

In 2025, Scottish Love in Action (SLA) marks 25 years of giving children in India opportunities to thrive. This silver jubilee is not just a celebration of our journey so far, but a reaffirmation of the values that have guided us from the very beginning.

How We Started

In 1999, Gillie Davidson, a palliative care nurse from Edinburgh, led a youth group from Greenbank Church to Tuni, a town in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. There, the group encountered children living in deep poverty but showing immense strength and resilience. Moved by this experience, Gillie returned home determined to help. Together with the Nazareth Association for Social Awareness (NASA), a local Indian charity, the group established a home for 120 homeless children. It was on the hot sunny grounds of Tuni that the seeds of Scottish Love in Action were sown.

When she returned to Scotland with a determination to help — and just a year later, on 27 June 2000, Scottish Love in Action was registered as a charity.

The name, Scottish Love In Action, was suggested by Indian partner, Dr Premdas, who said: “This is not just charity — it’s Scottish love in action.” And so, a lasting commitment was born.

From One Home to a Movement

What began with a single home in Tuni soon grew into a wider movement. The Light of Love Home and School became a place of safety and opportunity for hundreds of children, providing shelter, food, healthcare, and education. SLA’s approach has always been rooted in partnership — working closely with local Indian organisations to ensure culturally informed, sustainable support.

Over the years, SLA expanded to support projects such as the ASRITHA Rainbow Home and VOICE4Girls, which empower teenage girls through life skills and leadership training.

A Volunteer-Driven Legacy

For the first seven years, SLA was run from Gillie’s home, powered by volunteers and supporters from across Scotland and beyond. From school fundraisers to church events, the local community made this work possible.

In 2008, Gillie received an MBE for her services to charity — a tribute to her vision and to the many who joined her in this shared mission.

Generational Impact

Today, the children that were once supported by SLA have now become teachers, nurses, engineers, and leaders. Some of our earliest supporters now involve their own children in fundraising, ensuring SLA’s mission continues across generations.

Looking Ahead

While much has been achieved, there are challenges that still remain for the children in India. SLA is committed to deepening partnerships, embracing digital learning and mental health support, and inviting more people to join us.

Thank You

This anniversary is about every child who dared to dream, every partner who walked with us, and every supporter who believed in the power of love in action.

Here’s to the next 25 years — guided by hope, courage, and compassion.

To join us on this journey, there are many ways you can donate.