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Secret Millionaire, Kavita Oberoi

In an award winning Channel 4 series in which millionaires go undercover to help people less fortunate than themselves – Sisters with Voices community project based in Ladywood, Birmingham had a secret visit by millionaire business woman Kavita Oberoi who was determined to donate some of her fortune to those less fortunate.

The set up

‘Sisters with Voices’ is a mentoring programme set up by a charity organisation called Martha’s Oasis that hopes to improve the expectations, achievements and life chances of teenage girls in the local area.

The community project was approached by Channel 4 and asked if they would be part of the making of a documentary film called ‘This is Britian’, about communities and volunteering.

Kavita on a Ladywood community project

A secret identity

As part of the documentary, Kavita posed as someone moving into the area and wanting to do some voluntary work. Her millionaire identity was hidden while she worked as a volunteer for three community organisations on the Ladywood estate for 10 days.

On the final day of her visit Kavita revealed her secret identity and surprised Martha’s Oasis with an overwhelming gift of £25,000 towards the Sisters with Voices project.

kavita with the girls

The Secret Millionaire programme featuring Sisters with Voices was aired on Channel 4,  Tuesday 12th August 2008.

The big secret

Janice Nelson is one of the directors at Martha’s Oasis. She says they had no idea who Kavita really was:

“She was very keen to get involved with some of our workshops and activities, including coming out with us on one of our outdoor rock climbing sessions.

Kavita in her office

“Initially we were intrigued about who she was and what she was filming, because Martha’s Oasis work with very sensitive issues with the girls, and we obviously want to protect the Sisters with Voices project.

“But we had no other reason to suspect anything else, we just thought the documentary would be a good publicity opportunity for our organisation. Kavita was only with us for two days and she built up a real relationship with the girls.”

A life changing experience

38-year-old Kavita Oberoi is a successful business woman and mother of two, she left her luxurious, Versace lifestyle and family behind in Derby, and lived in Ladywood for 10 days - an area suffering from some of the highest unemployment rates in the UK.

kavita Oberoi's home

In the Secret Millionaire series, each week a millionaire leaves their luxury life behind, takes on a secret identity and lives undercover in a deprived area of the UK for just over a week.

Living on a limited budget with no mod-cons, they do voluntary  work alongside the locals and find individuals and projects who they think deserve a cut of their fortune.

In an interview on the BBC WM Ed Doolan show,  Kavita talked about her life changing experience.

"I loved every minute of it..."

“It was a shock to my system but I loved every minute of it, everybody I met was so warm.

Kavita rock climbs with the girls

“Before I went I had this perception about people on benefits - but when I got there I saw that sometimes things are not that easy. There are so many people that have the same desires, motivation and ambitions as I have, but there are other barriers that stop them from reaching their full potential.

“I met a lot of self motivated people trying to make a change for the better.”

The secret’s out

Martha’s Oasis were blown away when Kavita revealed her secret identity and her kind donation of £25,000 to the Sisters with Voices project.

“I got a phone from our founding Director Olivia Omartey screaming down the phone. We just couldn’t believe it.

Sisters with Voices go rock climbing

“We were down to our last £300 - the timing was such a blessing. We are truly grateful for the exposure and grateful for the money, it will make a really big difference to the young girls and their families.

“With the money we will be able to expand and pay for resources to facilitate extra programmes. We currently have a waiting list of young girls in the area wanting to get involved.

Sisters with Voices is a holistic programme that can make a real difference to the girls lives.” says Janice

An interview with Ed Doolan

Listen to Kavita Oberoi and Janice Nelson talk to Ed Doolan on BBC WM about their Secret Millionaire experiences.

Sisters with Voices workshop

More about Sisters with Voices - an oasis in Ladywood

The Sisters with Voices programme is specifically aimed at those living in and around the Ladywood  area, especially (but not limited to) those of Afro-Caribbean and mixed raced heritage who may be under achieving due to social and personal circumstances.

The girls are mentored during an 8 week programme on a one-to-one basis through workshops and activities that help tackle personal issues in the areas of self esteem, confidence and life aspirations.

Watch a short film about Sisters with voices
Listen to a song made by some of the girls while on the programme