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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View & Download the HOPE Annual Overview 2019/2020

Annual Overview

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
Aug252021

Kids Show at Fota

The Hope Foundation invite you to the beautiful surroundings of Fota House for a very special Punch and Judy show and magical storytelling that will feature snapping crocodiles and much more!

Details
Jul122021

Save the Date: Cork Lunch 2021

The Hope Foundation is delighted to announce the return of the Annual Cork Lunch. Thank you for your support over the last 18 months. We are looking forward to seeing you all again, in person.

Details
Jul82021

Bhagar Sponsorship Programme Update

In this video update our colleague Santasil interviews our Education Sponsorship Programme Co-ordinator, Gautam, about how the Bhagar programme grew from just 44 children 5 years ago, to over 300 children now receiving sponsorship.

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Jun92021

Eye Clinics Resume

Our Blindness Eradication Programme, sponsored by Specsavers Ireland, has resumed in West Bengal after being temporarily suspended during lockdown.

Details
May112021

Food Distribution Begins

We have now extended our COVID emergency response to feeding those affected by the crisis in the street and slum communities.

Kolkata is now in partial lock-down. Daily laborers, migrant workers, and their families are running out of food. We need to reach these families and hand out food packs.

Details
May62021

Update from the ground in Kolkata

We have been completely overwhelmed by the staggering generosity of the Irish people in the past few weeks. As a result of such a huge outpouring we now have enough funds for equipment and PPE but we are still raising funds for the ongoing running costs for the hospital, as we expect to be treating COVID patients for some time to come.

Details
Apr192021

HOPE Hospital Reopens COVID Ward as Cases Surge

India recently surpassed Brazil to become the world’s second worst-hit country in the COVID-19 pandemic. A second wave of infection is currently sweeping through the country and is considerably more infectious, and deadly, than the first. It is getting worse day by day.

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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