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 2.8 million people.

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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

Join the HOPE Volunteer Placement Programme

Corporate Sponsorship

Discover our Corporate Social Responsibility Programme

Schools and Third Level

Get involved in our Development Education Programmes

Sponsor a Child

Make a lasting difference by sponsoring a child's education

Community Fundraising

Organise an event in your area

Gifts of HOPE

Give a loved one a gift that really means something

Leave a Legacy

Leave a gift to The Hope Foundation in your will

Experience Magical India

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

Shop

Event tickets, donate now, merchandise.

Latest News
Dec162020

Win a Luxurious Weekend Stay at Ballyseede Castle!

Our incredibly generous friends at Ballyseede Castle, Tralee, have given us 36 of their exquisite rooms for a Friday and Saturday night in February!

We have decided to run a limited ticket raffle* to give our supporters the opportunity to stay at this incredible venue for a donation of just €50. The maximum value of the weekend stay is €550 for a Castle Suite and the minimum value is €290 for a Cosy Castle Double room. Breakfast is included on both mornings.

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Nov192020

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 6th December and splash into the cold Atlantic Ocean.

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Oct272020

Host a Diwali Supper

Host a Festival of Lights Diwali Supper at your home and help raise much needed funds for HOPE’s vital work with Street Children in Kolkata.

This year has been challenging and life has changed in so many ways, but what has not changed is the importance of spending time together with family.

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Oct112020

A Tragic Announcement from Maureen

“We have been through difficult days at HOPE over the years, today is the absolute worst of them. Today, in complete shock and devastation we announce the untimely and sudden death of our beloved Geeta Venkadakrishnan. There will never be anyone like Geeta, this loss is almost impossible for us to put into words. She…

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Oct62020

? Calling All Schools!

Our HOPE Engagement activities are filling up fast. Get involved this year through School Talks, Development Education Workshops, our Reusable Water Bottle Enterprise Project or selling HOPE chocolate bars.

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Sep152020

Observations from Kolkata – Jim McGinniss

We would like to share some observations on this pandemic from Kolkata, written by a man we have known for many years, an Irishman who calls Kolkata home – Jim McGinniss. Jim is a volunteer who has worked with the Missionaries of Charity for the last 22 years in Kolkata, looking after the homeless population in the railway stations, mainly Howrah and Sealdah Station. Jim kindly sent a few words of his experience during the Covid-19 outbreak to share.

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Sep42020

VHI Virtual Women’s Mini Marathon

Planning on running the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon on May 31st? If so why not consider running in aid of HOPE!

The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon, an annual 10k charity road race, occurs each June bank holiday weekend in Dublin and is the largest Women’s event of its kind in the world.

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Aug192020

HOPE Heroes – Chiranjit Mondal

We at HOPE are both inspired and heartbroken at what our colleagues in Kolkata are dealing with during a devastating time. We wanted to share the stories of these inspirational heroes with you all, we think it shows the incredible people on the ground in Kolkata working tirelessly thanks to your donations. Our HOPE Heroes series will share thoughts and stories from our extraordinary colleagues.

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Aug62020

An Hour with Colm O’Regan

Join critically acclaimed stand-up comedian, author and broadcaster Colm O’Regan for a general laugh and a chat about his hilarious new book “Ann Devine: Handle with Care”.

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Jul302020

HOPE Heroes – Bijoy Jadab

We at HOPE are both inspired and heartbroken at what our colleagues in Kolkata are dealing with during a devastating time. We wanted to share the stories of these inspirational heroes with you all, we think it shows the incredible people on the ground in Kolkata working tirelessly thanks to your donations. Our HOPE Heroes series will share thoughts and stories from our extraordinary colleagues.

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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