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Involve your college with HOPE

HOPE has been working with secondary schools and thousands of students all across Ireland since 2003 through fundraising and awareness programmes. Many schools have a strong tradition of facilitating charity work and we are fortunate to be invited to speak in schools all around the country about our work in Kolkata.

There are numerous ways a secondary school can become involved with HOPE, including our national fundraising event, our hugely popular Schools Immersion Programme or hosting miscellaneous fundraising events.

To find out how you and your school can get involved, please get in touch: info@thehopefoundation.org.uk

Sixth Form Kolkata Experience

The Hope Foundation truly believes in ‘students helping students’ and the Immersion Programme is a tribute to this belief. Led by teachers and HOPE staff, students are afforded the unique opportunity to travel to Kolkata for one week and to visit the projects. They will witness, first-hand, the work of HOPE and the extremities of life in Kolkata.

Supported throughout their time in India, students are introduced to poverty, the realities of street-connected children and the joy of HOPE. A week-long programme is prepared for students, who spend time visiting HOPE projects, interacting with children and adolescents who are in HOPE supported projects and immersing themselves in Indian culture. Our young ambassadors will remember the experience for the rest of their lives, and become more aware of their place in society and how they can make the world a better place by caring for people who are less well off than themselves.

Students must fundraise a substantial, yet achievable sum, which will be donated to the projects. This process teaches the students about the value of such activities as well as learning the skills to creatively raise the funds to meet targets and deadline. It is a hugely positive and life-changing experience. It gives students the opportunity to engage in experiences not available in the classroom, encourages greater independence and enhances social and cultural development.

Students and schools participating on the Sixth Form Kolkata Experience are fully supported by HOPE, with a dedicated Group Leader, structured orientation process and advice on fundraising every step of the way. Through achieving ambitious fundraising targets, these young adults are an essential element of The Hope Foundation’s fundraising activities each year.

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School Talks

A representative from The Hope Foundation will be more than happy to visit your school to give a talk to a class, a year or even the whole school on the work we do.

We can lead discussions and workshops addressing issues faced in India, including child labour, poverty, education, gender equality, child marriage and human trafficking.

Host a School Fundraiser

You may also consider hosting a fundraiser in aid of the Hope Foundation. Fundraising at your college not only has several benefits such as sharpening presentation skills, practicing goal setting and reinforcing math skills – it also teaches the reality of poverty inspires young people to take action for change.

Some ideas include: cake sales, non-uniform days, talent show, table quiz, jersey days, and Christmas carol singing. The Hope Foundation would be happy to provide some literature for display and handing out on the day, including posters, our annual report, our newsletter and information on child sponsorship and so forth.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Students completing their Gold DofE can now complete their Residential section with HOPE in Kolkata.

A dedicated Kolkata Residential trip allows young people to play an active role in supporting our work across our education and protection projects in a safe and supervised way. This trip is ran separately to our Sixth Form Kolkata Experience, participation on which would not be credited as a Residential trip for your DofE accreditation.

Kolkata Residential trip participants will spend a week living in HOPE accommodation, working at a number of projects across the city as well as having organised activities and group time in the evenings.

This opportunity is for anyone looking for a unique experience as part of their DofE programme, enabling young people to support those less fortunate in a challenging environment while being part of a dedicated team.

Preparation for the trip includes fundraising, being an advocate of HOPE and learning about the vulnerable lives many lead in Kolkata. The Kolkata Residential trip serves to help others as well as your own range of skills as you prepare and partake in this experience. Due to the nature of this trip, you must be at least 18 at the time of travelling to take part in the Residential trip. For more information, please contact info@thehopefoundation.org.uk.

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“We travel, not to escape life; but for life not to escape us”. I feel this quote is extremely relevant to my trip to Kolkata. This unforgettable week has made me realise how fortunate we are, and how we should appreciate what we have. We visited numerous homes, crèches and the HOPE Hospital, and were struck by the wonderful affection of the kids towards us. Their beaming smiles and hugs will remain in my heart forever, as well as their appreciation for the little gifts we brought, (not to mention the time we spent with them)! You gave us your time, the most important gift of all. Probably the happiest and sunniest kids I’ll ever meet.

Rachel