Can anything prepare one for the grinding poverty that instantly greets the visitor to Calcutta, the Indian city with the worst slums on the planet? I certainly was not ready for it, but, having spent five days there among its loveable people last week, I am already planning my return.
As a father of five-year-old twins I was deeply shocked to see so many thousands of children of similar age abandoned on the streets and falling victim to all sorts of outrages and brutalities.
My sons, Jett and Shannon, need constant attention and care, but here I saw five-year-olds looking after younger siblings and eight- and nine-year-olds working 18 hours a day at backbreaking, mind-numbing work for a few pence.
The sight of physically handicapped children and others who are clearly suffering from mental illness, and in acute need of assistance, will remain with me for a long time. As will the horrific stories the children tell about what life was like before they were brought to safety by Goal workers.
Ten years ago Goal became the first international non-governmental organisation to take seriously the problems of street children in this remarkable place. Linking with its partner agency, the Child In Need Institute, Goal took initiatives which have rescued 5,000 children from misery and deprivation. Goal's ambition this year is to rescue 8,000 children. It's a dream I intend to see fulfilled.
What struck me about the children was the sense of love and happiness they exude. Even though many are orphans, have no family structure and few possessions and depend almost totally on fellow victims for friendship and support, they show no signs of recrimination or moaning. It's as if they have decided to make the most of the chance they have been offered.
They crave education, and the enthusiasm they put into learning is heart-warming to witness. These children have come through every imaginable trauma and form of abuse, but with the help of Goal/ CINI, they have emerged smiling.
Geeta is typical of the children. At six, she was being sexually abused regularly, so she ran away and cut her hair so she would be mistaken for a boy. Eventually she was taken into the programme and is now looking forward, 10 years later, to beginning work as a hotel trainee.
Others have won prizes for their talent. One girl recently won an art competition in the United States, and another was chosen to represent India in a science exhibition abroad.
Goal's programmes in Calcutta are phenomenally successful, but there is no secret formula. Perhaps the most important ingredients dispensed by staff are love and dedication.
Among the services offered to street children are night shelters, halfway homes, medical facilities, counselling facilities, education and vocational training.
It was a privilege to witness these committed people at work and to see how much benefit the children derived. Our plans for the year involves the spending of upwards of £1 million on Calcutta projects. It will be money well spent. For £10 per month it is possible to feed, clothe, educate and shelter a child of the street, an abandoned one.
I believe these are very special children. Special because they have shown such extraordinary bravery and resilience in coming through the trauma of their earlier experiences. The predicament for thousands of children in Calcutta is shocking, and I refuse to believe the international community cannot, and will not, do something to lessen the suffering. Children should not have to live in fear of being raped or brutalised, and accepting child labour is a scandal. It is time for the international community to bring to justice individuals and groups who profit from the labour of these children.
I may have required some persuading to interrupt my schedule to travel to Calcutta.
I am so glad I undertook the trip. The challenge ahead is one which fills me with enthusiasm and excitement. I would strongly recommend a trip to Calcutta. The visitor will be appalled at the poverty, but the incidence of so many happy faces will be the abiding memory.
Pat Cash, a former Wimbledon tennis champion, is president of Goal in the United Kingdom