Maureen Forrest

Founder Director

Firstly I want to thank you most sincerely for your incredible generosity in supporting HOPE over the past 19 years. Your support enables us to continue our invaluable work with the most vulnerable children and communities living on the streets and the slums of Kolkata, and build sustainable futures for entire communities.

A world without compassion is a world without love. No matter how rich we are; if we have no compassion towards others, then our lives become empty and meaningless. To give to those in need is its own reward; 'No one has ever become poor by giving' - Anne Frank.

Every child in the world is entitled to the love, care and protection that a family can provide. However, children will not be free from exploitation until all levels of society, from the immediate family to broader international community, work together. The family is a child's first line of protection; having no parental protection can expose vulnerable children to all forms of mistreatment and abuse. It is of primary importance to HOPE to try and reunite abandoned children with their families and communities.

Children do not choose the circumstances into which they are born and those of us who are blessed to be born into privileged lives have an obligation to redress this imbalance. It is our role to provide a bridge between those who can help and those who need our help the most. Addressing the struggles and challenges faced by the thousands of street children in Kolkata may seem overwhelming to many of us. By raising the awareness of people of Ireland, India and internationally about the hardships faced by the children, HOPE wishes to affirm the sanctity of each child. Our mission to work towards "a world where it should never hurt to be a child" is at the heart of all our work.

HOPE's reach to date has been 2.8 million people and, we endeavour to continue our work in line with Sustainable Development Goals.

We sincerely thank and acknowledge you for your incredible generosity and ongoing support. We hope you continue to support our work and vision in which "a world where it should never hurt to be a child” and look forward to working and engaging with you, our supporters, again in 2019 when we will celebrate 20 years of HOPE.