KIRF has successfully provided drought relief, education and medical care and sustainable projects to enpower women with the help of Indian Charitable Trust iKIRF India in the state of Bihar in northern India. The main economic activity of Bihar has been agriculture and it has the unfortunate distinction of being the poorest state in India. Bihar has a per capita income of $94 a year versus India's average of $255. Approximately 60% of the population of Bihar lives below the poverty line according to Diane Kirwin versus an overall average of 25% in India (The Economist, March 2006). Only 48.3% of women and 70.2% of men in India can read according to the CIA Factbook web site.

This poverty means that a large percentage of the local population lack adequate nutrition, clean water and access to medical care.  As a result, the average life span in the state of Bihar is approximately 40 years of age versus an average life span of 60 years for the rest of India.

In the northern Indian state of Bihar, where KIRF works, the poorest Indians belong to the lowest caste (an inherited social and economic class) and are known as Dhalits (or Untouchables). The past two years of drought has exacerbated rates of malnutrition, illness and crime in Bihar among these people. Many of Bihar's Dahlit villages are in areas of declining agricultural production due to aquafer depletian and soil erosion made worse by the current drought.

The endemic poverty of this region has many causes, some of which are outlined below:

• Inadequate physical & social infrastructure investment – Roads, power grids, irrigation and rail transport systems in this area are not able to support basic commerce, forcing communities to live a subsistence existence.  Many areas do not have schools, medical clinics, roads or running water.
• Historical neglect from the center of Indian power – Bihar has never had a strong representative in the Indian parliament; as a result the needs of this state have never been brought to the forefront of Indian politics. 
• Lack of vision amongst the political parties – Bihari politics tend to be driven by caste distinctions.  As a result a unified body politic has not been established nor has a comprehensive vision for social and economic development.  A highly fragmented society makes social progress extremely difficult.

Local economies within Bihar tend to be based on agricultural and trading activities.  Without access to free and open markets most people work the land of wealthier land owners forcing them into a subsistence existence.

The villagers that KIRF helps work in the fields of the wealthier upper class.  On average the village laborers earn 40-60 Rupees/Day (or about $1.50 USD/day) this amount is not sufficient cover even basic household expenses.  To properly feed a family of four costs about Rs. 1,5000/month.  As a result, many villagers take out short term loans at high interest rates to cover their basic household costs.  These loans are administered by the wealthier land owners resulting in an arrangement between land owner and laborer that can only be described as indentured servitude.

• Drought Relief: alleviate the water crises in dry villages by providing materials and drilling equipment for seven new wells with construction supervised by KIRF India trustees; all wells have been built and are supplying clean drinking water for free to the poorest of the poor
• Micro-loans: Enable woman to support their families by funding the local woman's micro-loan co-op managed by Sister Mary called Jangre Manch
• Medical care: KIRF sponsored the medical costs of reconstructive facial surgery for a boy who suffered disfiguration by burns
• Cold weather relief: provide warm clothing donated by Patagonia, Inc. for destitute and ill through a KIRF India's trustee at free local medical clinic at the Root Institute in Bodhgaya
• Education: support local Dahlit children's education with school supplies for KIRF India's Kirwin International Education Centers and scholarships for promising students in financial need