Have you thought about doing volunteer work?

You can make a difference as a HOPE volunteer and experience a truely rewarding time working with street children in India.

HOPE welcomes a large number of volunteers and visitors to our projects every year.

Join the HOPE Volunteer programme and you will be working to change the lives of the poorest street and slum children in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Volunteers use their skills and experience in a variety of areas: education, child protection, nutrition, healthcare, drug rehabilitation, advocacy, counselling and training.

The HOPE Volunteer Placement Programme

Placements may be offered to volunteers who meet the following requirements:

Relevant Skill

You need to have a qualification, skill and/or experience relevant to The Hope Foundation’s work, for example:

If you do not have skills in any of these areas but would like to work as a volunteer, please write and tell us about your experience and explain how your skills would benefit HOPE’s work with street children.

Fundraising

A commitment to fundraise for The Hope Foundation’s projects and towards your living costs* while in Kolkata (Calcutta). Fundraising targets depend on your proposed length of stay.

Travel

Commitment to organise and fund your own travel arrangements, including:

Self-motivated & Flexible

You need to be organised and have an ability to work on your own initiative. You also need to be flexible and prepared to turn your hand to different tasks as required. Applicants must be prepared to fill roles subject to current requirements on HOPE’s projects.

Positive outlook

You need to get along well with people and have a positive, relaxed outlook. Volunteers work with lots of different HOPE staff and are involved in a range of work structures and environments.

Realistic expectations

You need to be realistic about what to expect in a culture that may be very different to your own and what you can expect to achieve during your placement.

Volunteers are asked to commit for a minimum of 3 months if possible. However, we will consider a shorter stay if places are available. The minimum commitment requested is 3 weeks.

Prospective volunteers are interviewed at the HOPE Head Office in Cork city. We will assist you with your fundraising, placement preparation and provide orientation training.

*All HOPE volunteers are accommodated in Kolkata and there is a small living allowance for longer-term volunteers.

Would you like to apply for a Volunteer Placement with HOPE in Kolkata?

Over 18 years of age? Fluent speaker of English or Bengali? Resident in Ireland (min. 2 yrs), the UK or India? If so, you are welcome to apply under the conditions below.

Volunteering for up to 6 months, please apply at least 3 months in advance; volunteering for longer than 6 months, apply at least 4 months in advance of your proposed departure.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE YOU APPLY:

Unfortunately we are unable to recruit volunteers who are resident in countries other than Ireland, the UK and India. Irish residents must be resident in Ireland for a minimum of 2 years. 

Ireland, UK and India residents: please apply to the HOPE office in your country of residence (as per below).

Visit HOPE’s Projects in Kolkata

If you are not in a position to volunteer, we also welcome visitors who are travelling in India. You may like to call to the HOPE Branch Office in Kolkata, and organise a visit to see some of HOPE’s projects for street and slum children.

To Request a Volunteer Placement Info Sheet & Application Form:

If you are an Irish-based prospective volunteer please complete the form below.

Request for Application Form for Ireland residents: