28th October – 7th November 2012

Would you like to bring the benefits of yoga to street children in India?        

You can bring the benefits of yoga to children in HOPE projects in Kolkata. Travel to India next autumn with a group of yoga enthusiasts for an unforgettable volunteering experience. Practice yoga each morning with our experienced teacher and each afternoon visit HOPE homes and projects to help rescued street children learn the benefits of practicing yoga. These children need huge support to overcome the harsh experiences and trauma of their early lives on the streets or in the slums.

Do you practice yoga? Would you like to take part? 

For more information call Susan, Tel: 021-429 2990 or Email: susan@hopefoundation.ie 

This will be an experience of a lifetime! 

Download an Information Pack & Application Form Here

Our wonderful friend and supporter, Teena Gates has published an incredibly moving account of her journey over the past years… Checking in at a tiny 5 foot and a massive 23 stone in weight, Irish broadcast journalist Teena was staring death in the face, when a doctor’s grim diagnosis shocked her into a decision that would change her life. If she continued to take the path she was on, she would die. One year later Teena had lost a massive 12 stone – more than half her body weight. She had climbed to Everest Base Camp and reached the icy summit of Island Peak in the Himalayas. She had gone from finding it difficult to walk to the shops – to being on top of the world. One Foot in Front of the Other is the story of realising that you can change your life against all odds. It’s the inspirational journey of a woman who was resigned to living life imprisoned in her own body, until a spark lit up a desire to break free. It’s a story of pain, of hope, of friendship, and of how far you can really go – by putting one foot in front of another… with HOPE joining her on this incredible journey..

For more information, or to purchase a copy, please take a moment to visit:

http://www.gillmacmillan.ie/ireland-today/ireland-today/
one-foot-in-front-of-the-other

http://www.amazon.com/Foot-Front-Other-Teena-Gates/dp/071715369X

On TV news each night, we see images of people on the streets of their capital cities demonstrating and campaigning for fairer systems, for justice and equality. There is a global appetite for a fairer world. Today is World Day of Social Justice and is it a day to think about who needs us to fight for social justice and how we can make a difference.

Young children living on the streets or in dire poverty in overcrowded slums within sight of shiny 21st century skyscrapers cannot demonstrate. They cannot set-up camps outside Government buildings to highlight the injustice of their lives. They cannot refuse to pay taxes or start online social media campaigns. They need us to do it for them.
The Hope Foundation runs programmes to build the capacities of individuals and local organisations in Kolkata, India, to be strong advocates for the rights of individuals and communities. HOPE is helping people to gain access to their rights and to be treated equally.

HOPE is educating children to enable them to build sustainable futures for themselves, especially girl children, so they are empowered to grow-up to a life free of poverty, risk and abuse. HOPE is working each day for justice for street and slum children and their families.

For this 2012 World Day of Social Justice, Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations says: “Let us work together to balance the global economy and build a new social contract for the 21st century. Let us chart a development path that leads to greater social justice and the future we want.”

Photo: David Lavery

The Hope Foundation, with the support of Weightwatchers Ireland, opened The Hope Hospital in Kolkata in 2008. It provides medical treatment and health services to the most underprivileged children and adults. People attend the hospital because they cannot afford to pay for medical treatment and need urgent medical attention. Sick children are often referred by our Child Watch programme which patrols the streets of Kolkata keeping a watch over the vulnerable. The hospital is a fully equipped four-floor building with modern facilities. We have a Pathology Unit, a Specialist Out Patients Department, a 30-bed In-Patient Department, Operating Theatre and Recovery Room, Steriliser Room and kitchen and laundry facilities. The ground floor is used by Hope Kolkata Foundation as a Polyclinic & Diagnostic Center. The clinic has two Paediatric doctors, one General Physician, and one Surgeon and is open to patients in the morning and the evening. 4000+ out patients were treated in the first year alone. Immunisation camps are organised for children suffering from HIV and AIDS. Among the hospital’s medical specialties are: paediatrics; cardiology; E&T; orthopaedics, dermatology, gynaecology, pathology, radiology and biochemistry. Quality care is delivered around the clock by medical, nursing and general staff.

A Total of 34,661 people have been treated in the hospital since it first opened in 2008 through the dedication of our staff and the support of Weightwatchers Ireland.

A Sincere Thank You to all who have helped to make a difference….

The Indian Girl Child is the most vulnerable in the world, according to a report by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Data was gathered from 150 countries and India and China have the worst record in infant female mortality.

In India, for every 100 girls dying between one and five years old, there are 56 male child deaths. This is in contrast to the global average of 111 male child deaths for every 100 females.

The report says: “Higher mortality among girls is a powerful warning that differential treatment or access to resources is putting girls at a disadvantage.” The report also shows that the infant mortality disadvantage in India continues for girls into childhood.

The Hope Foundation projects are actively promoting access to education particularly for girl children. Education is the proven means of enabling young girls and women to gain equality.

Our theme for 2012 is ‘Save the Girl Child’ and during 2012 we will be highlighting the suffering and injustices suffered by girl children and young women in Kolkata. More girls than boys are abandoned on the streets and in the slums and need our help. You can make a difference by letting others know this awful reality.

Photo: David Lavery

Saturday the 21st April 2012, Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel, Killiney, Co. Dublin

Looking for a great night out to look forward to after Easter?

The Hope Foundation’s Eastern Promise Ball in Dublin is your chance to make a difference to the lives of street and slum children in Kolkata.

This Black Tie Ball is an annual social highlight and will see hundreds of guests fill the main ballroom of Fitzpatrick’s Castle hotel for an amazing evening: drinks reception at 7.30pm, followed by a sumptuous meal with wine and great entertainment ’till late.

Jungle Boogie will perform live and once again are sure to keep guests dancing the night away!

Individual tickets for The Ball are €100 each. Do you know what €100 will pay for in our projects in Kolkata? It will buy five hospital care packs or one hospital bed. €100 would also buy 20 pairs of school shoes  or pay a coaching teacher’s salary.

Come to the ball and make a real difference to a street child’s life. What about getting a gang together? You can book a table of 10 or 12.

Order tickets now.

Bookings also by phone with HOPE Head Office, Tel: 021 429 2990 or Call Rosaleen on 086 806 9900.

Any queries? Email: Rosaleen@hopefoundation.ie