Welcome to The Hope Foundation for Street Children - also known as HOPE UK. Our mission is to raise awareness of, and funds for, disadvantaged street-connected children and families living in Kolkata, India.
We provide access to essential services and restore basic human rights to underserved communities by implementing programmes that are delivered by HOPE’s team on the ground in Kolkata and partner organisations.
Through five key programme areas - Education, Healthcare, Protection, Vocational Training, and Emergency Response - we empower street-connected children to reach their full potential. Our aim is to equip and enable them with the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to build independent lives and to strengthen their communities for future generations.
HOPE UK was established in 2007, and along with HOPE organisations located in Ireland, USA, Germany and Kolkata, we work towards the common vision of “a world where it should never hurt to be a child”.
Read more about the plight of street-connected children in Kolkata.
Our Story
The Hope Foundation (HOPE) was established in 1999, to provide protection and refuge for 20 girls in Kolkata (Calcutta) India, who were forced to survive on the streets, alone and vulnerable as young teenagers. The United Nations classifies India as one the most dangerous places to be born a girl. Witnessing the abject poverty and violation of the human rights of such girls inspired HOPE’s active and voluntary founder Maureen Forrest to establish the organization.
Despite India’s economy ranking first in the world for growth, millions of Indian people are forced into a life of severe and often fatal poverty. Throughout the metropolitan city of Kolkata, the growing economy and infrastructure competes with derelict, dirty and sprawling slums. The economic equality and rich/poor divide is evident throughout the city, while economic opportunities for the poor remain low and food inflation is at an all-time high. The poor population of Kolkata is unable to secure their most basic human rights, those which we too often, take for granted here in the western world.
In its short existence, HOPE’s progress, programs and outreach of support has impacted the lives of over 3 million individuals who reside in Kolkata’s slums and throughout the city’s streets. HOPE provides sustainable pathways out of poverty through the delivery of education, healthcare, protection, nutrition and skills building.
HOPE works with Kolkata’s forgotten children, those who have been victims of trafficking, violence, abandonment, prostitution, sexual abuse and severe neglect. Working with such vulnerable children and their wider families and communities, has lifted millions out of poverty, enabling and empowering them to build a brighter future for themselves and for future generations.
The Hope Foundation Provides
Protection Education Healthcare Vocational Training Emergency Response
Our Mission
To improve the quality of life for the most marginalised street and slum connected children and communities, primarily in India. Ensuring their basic rights and enhancing their dignity of life, through protection, health, education and economic development in a sustainable life cycle approach.
Our Aim
To support the development of underprivileged sections of society through partnership, support and capacity building.
We believe in sustainable development. Our programs aim to give street and slum children in Kolkata the support needed to create better futures.
Our Vision
“A world where it should never hurt to be a child.” Restoring childhoods to children and sustainability to individuals and communities.