A PHOTOGRAPHER has just returned from an exhilarating seven-month trip to India.

Jamie Robinson, 27, of Burnley, arrived back home from Southern India, following charity work in two villages in Karnataka.

Mr Robinson was travelling with the London-based Raleigh International Foundation charity, to run a water and sanitation hygiene program in rural areas.

He said: “It was certainly a difficult journey, testing, at times, but a good test.

“It really is remarkable as to how much of an impact a group of people can make on an entire village, it’s incredible.”

As a volunteer for the charity, he led a team of up to 18 people. Together, they facilitated various projects, all designed to offer developmental aid to the people of Karnataka.

The two villages, Handi Gudda and Kulya, had people of different castes and hierarchies.

The projects predominantly aimed to deliver sustainable support to the disadvantaged, in line with Raleigh International’s ethos of creating a “positive impact in communities”.

The charity ran over 300 school sessions on sanitation and health.

“We would teach the kids about oral hygiene, like the importance of regular brushing, as well as physical hygiene such as thoroughly washing hands,” he said.

This will hopefully allow the people to live more hygienically.

“Children especially are not always taught the significance of cleanliness and its connection to good health, and so we helped to educate them on this.”

Another of his projects involved the refurbishment of a community hall, where women’s groups hold meetings.

He said: “This project, closely related to the issue of empowering women, was delivered in the village of Kulya.

“Connected to this, we launched a scheme in conjunction with the local government. We agreed a sum of £100 a year (about 10,157 Indian rupees) will be utilised on providing nutrition for the poorest in the village.

“To me, these people are like family, I want to help them out in every way I can.”

“I absolutely love India. The first time I visited, I was on a backpacking holiday, taking part in a photography exhibition.

“I fell in love with the country, and the people – it’s such a diverse place, and I can’t seem to get enough of it.”

This isn’t the first time he has been volunteering. Previously, he has worked with the Wildlife Conservation Trust to protect animal wildlife in Borneo, South America.

Mr Robinson plans to return to India in October.