Four years ago Geoff and Cherrie Whittle left their jobs in Bournemouth, England, sold everything they owned and moved to India with their two sons. They undertook this massive life change to set up an organization called LifeForce, in response to their realization, after a visit to India, that the Bengal tiger was on the verge of extinction and needed help immediately.

LifeForce was set up as a charitable trust aiming to protect tigers in India, and assist the Indian Forest Department and help local Madhya Pradesh villagers. Over the last year LifeForce has purchased equipment to help the Forest Department build a new set of classrooms, received computers for schools, given compensation to villagers for cattle killed by tigers and enlisted the time of skilled doctors to help maintain the health of the villagers. In this way they can halt the degradation of the jungle because the tribal people living there do not need to use it as a resource.

The Whittle family, Geoff, Cherrie, Nigel, Jamie and Oliver, live in India. (Jamie and Oliver are the Whittle's children and are at school in Southern India). The wholesale family move to India, whilst frequently arduous, has been fully justified by the difference that Geoff and Cherrie's presence has made to the task of ensuring that donations reach the destination intended. Every single penny of every donation is spent on the work of the charity. The family have never taken any money from their organization for their personal or living expenses, and this goes a way to explaining why paying visitors are invited to share their world.

The Whittles do not have Internet service so Colette Dickens in London handles their messages for them -- she is our assigned "host helper." Colette is a travel agent so she will offer assistance in making your travel arrangements. When you e-mail the Whitles via their program page, your mail will go to Colette in London, who will handle your questions.

Geoff & Cherrie Whittle conduct our Week in a "Raj Bungalow" in Madhya Predesh Tiger Country program in India.