‘Friends of HOPE’ is a new initiative in Kolkata in partnership with the Hope Kolkata Foundation. It is a group of dedicated supporters from throughout the city who advocate in line with HOPE’s vision: ‘It should never hurt to be a child’.

While the group was established earlier this year, it has recently launched a Facebook page. Friends of HOPE’s aims are:

1. To spread the message of HOPE and enlist support from the wider community
2. To discuss prominent community concerns and plan advocacy and awareness events
3. To participate actively and generously to the work carried out by the Hope Kolkata Foundation
4. To research and suggest means of strengthening the fight against poverty.

The group meet once a week to plan activities, visit HOPE projects and connect with their local communities throughout Kolkata. It is hoped that through ‘Friends of HOPE’ an increasing number of Kolkatan’s will become involved in tackling the widespread issues of poverty and inequality throughout the city and work together with the HKF to bring about lasting change in the lives of some of the poorest slum and street children.