Welcome To The Hope Foundation Ireland

The Hope Foundation is dedicated to promoting the protection of street and slum children in Kolkata, some of the most underprivileged in India. HOPE works to effect immediate and lasting change in their lives.

By extending support to children and their communities via 60 on the ground projects, HOPE provides sustainable holistic solutions to their protection and development. By providing healthcare, counselling and education, HOPE ensures children in its care enter adulthood equipped with the tools and support they need to live healthy and happy lives.

To date HOPE has helped over 2.7 million people.

View & Download The HOPE 2019 Newsletter

HOPE NEWS

What We Do

The Hope Foundation rescues thousands of children from the streets and slums of Kolkata, helping to improve their quality of life and giving them a better future.

Funding over 60 projects, HOPE reaches out to those most forgotten and vulnerable.

Learn more

Protection

We work to prevent abuse and exploitation of children by rescuing children from starvation and providing life-saving healthcare.

Drugs Rehabilitation

Solvent abuse is a major problem for many young people in Kolkata and Howrah Station is home to many homeless people.

Education

The Hope Foundation believes that education is the passport out of poverty. It is the key to building an independent, successful life.

Vocational Training

We are committed to sustainable development. Being able to earn a living from a skill is a long term solution to poverty.

Healthcare

Improving the health of street children and families living in the slums of Kolkata is a priority in our fight against poverty.

Nutrition

The combination of malnutrition and infection is the leading cause of death among young children in developing countries.

How You Can Get Involved
Volunteer with HOPE

Volunteer with HOPE

Join the HOPE Volunteer Placement Programme

Corporate Sponsorship

Corporate Sponsorship

Discover our Corporate Social Responsibility Programme

Schools and Third Level

Schools and Third Level

Get involved in our Development Education Programmes

Sponsor a Child

Sponsor a Child

Make a lasting difference by sponsoring a child's education

Community Fundraising

Community Fundraising

Organise an event in your area

Gifts of HOPE

Gifts of HOPE

Give a loved one a gift that really means something

Leave a Legacy

Leave a Legacy

Leave a gift to The Hope Foundation in your will

Experience Magical India

Experience Magical India

Join one of HOPE's programmes: HOPE U can Paint, Himalayan Walk, Yoga For HOPE, Street Photography Workshop

Shop

Shop

Event tickets, donate now, merchandise.

Latest News
Dec112019

Maureen to be honoured at HOPE USA Gala Dinner

HOPE USA’s 2020 Gala Fundraising Event will bring together up to 150 supporters from the US and Ireland to celebrate The Hope Foundation’s 20 year anniversary and, most importantly, honour Maureen Forrest, the founder of The Hope Foundation.

Details
Nov192019

Enet Group Partners with The Hope Foundation

The Enet Group has announced a new, two-year partnership with The Hope Foundation. The partnership, officially commencing in January 2020, will see collaboration on a series of fundraising events, with the aim of raising €70,000 for the charity. The first event will take place on Valentine’s night, 14th February 2020 when the team will hold…

Details
Nov152019

Will You Make a Christmas Promise?

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 – ‘𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞’. We are asking you to make your own Christmas Promise to a child who needs your help. You can donate, sponsor a child for less than the price of a cup of coffee every week or you can buy a Gift of HOPE.

Details
Nov122019

Dive into HOPE’s Santa Splash this Christmas!

The Hope Foundation is looking forward to their annual Santa Splash for HOPE this Christmas in Cork!

Whether you want to wrap up warm with a wetsuit or brave the cold in the bare essentials, HOPE is encouraging all their supporters to come out on Sunday 1st December and splash into the cold Atlantic Ocean.

Details
Nov12019

Kolors for Kolkata

We have teamed up with some of Ireland’s most prolific and talented creatives for a very special street-art project in Kolkata, India entitled “Kolors for Kolkata”.

Details
Oct142019

Maureen Wins Charity Leader Award

We are absolutely delighted to announce that our founder and Honorary CEO Maureen Forrest has won The Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Charity Leader Award for 2019! The award recognises Maureen as one of Ireland’s most inspiring women. Everyone at HOPE is incredibly proud!

Below is the official announcement transcript.

Sep62019

Cork Lunch Official Launch

Renowned singer/songwriter Brian Kennedy will be this year’s special guest at the annual lunch in aid of The Hope Foundation. The event will take place from 12 noon on Friday September 27th at The Maryborough Hotel & Spa in Cork.

Details
Aug212019

Inspiring Awards 2019 Nomination for Maureen

Our founder and Honorary Director Maureen Forrest has made the final nomination list for the prestigious Graham Norton Gin Inspiring Awards 2019 as one of Ireland’s most inspiring women. 𝗪𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 to help Maureen to win this award in recognition of her tireless dedication to 20 years of HOPE! We want to mobilise our…

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Aug132019

Day of HOPE 2019

October is a special month in The Hope Foundation’s fundraising calendar and a vital time to raise much needed funds for our projects supporting street and slum connected children and their families in Kolkata

Details
What People Say

  • The Schools Immersion Programme is an amazing accomplishment and I’m proud that our school has had the opportunity to get involved. The HOPE Staff provide a detailed overview of the project from the off, and students are given a clear fundraising aim. The sum is substantial but achievable. Organisational and entrepreneurial skills are developed quickly, but the true winners are the Junior Students being plied with cake, quizzes and sports tournaments!

    Immediately on arrival in India the students are greeted with a garland of marigolds and immersed into Kolkata. A diverse team of HOPE leaders support the students, encouraging questioning to develop a deep understanding of the complex cultural and economic society in India. The students expect to see poverty and sadness. The poverty is certainly there, on an unimaginable scale, but what is unexpected is the level of joy and happiness found in the children’s homes. The Immersion Programme has become an integral part of our TY Year, and for all the students involved it has been a most positive and rewarding experience.

    Kelly McEntee, teacher in Rochestown College

  • I heard of HOPE through a girl who previously went and was inspired by her experience. I chose to sign up because I felt like it was time to give back to those in need. I’m 16 years of age and to think I travelled to Kolkata, India! I got to know a different culture, met the children HOPE work with, made loads of new friends and had THE BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. It is not something everyone can say they’ve done at such a young age. I’m glad and grateful I had the opportunity to be part of this AMAZING EXPERIENCE. HOPE has been life changing for me, and many others too.
    Helping One Person Every day is my new motto. HOPE has changed me for the better – I’m more determined now to appreciate life, as good as I have it and to be glad of such wonderful things in this world.

    Katie Wallace, Glanmire Community College, 2016 Schools Immersion Programme participant.

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