Before writing The City of Joy, Dominique Lapierre spent a lot of time in Calcutta doing research. In 1982, when Udayan was going through a potentially fatal financial crisis, Dominique Lapierre met James Stevens, the founder of Udayan

After visiting the establishment and seeing first-hand the miracles that James was working, Lapierre and his wife promptly offered the financial assistance necessary for Udayan's immediate survival. They then returned to France and set up a fund called the Dominique Lapierre Foundation - Action pour les enfants des lepreux de Calcutta / Action Aid for the Children of Lepers in Calcutta.

After the publication of the immensely successful The City of Joy, donations poured in from all over Europe and the United States. Dominique himself donated half of all royalties received on the book to this fund. To read more about Udayan and the other fortunate beneficiaries of Dominique Lapierre's generosity, visit his website at www.cityofjoyaid.org.

Many years have passed since the Lapierres first became involved with Udayan and their constant support is what keeps Udayan functioning today. In A Thousand Suns, published in 1999, Dominique dedicates an entire chapter to Udayan and its founder, James Stevens. The Lapierres visit Udayan at least once every year and it is a day that is eagerly anticipated by all the children. The Lapierres are a part of our Udayan family and we are extremely grateful for their continuing support. They bring much more than just financial assistance to Udayan, they bring the priceless gifts of genuine caring and love.