HOPE Immersion Programme

What an amazing experience! Well done to Roisin, Ruth, Ella and Annalise who visited India over the Easter break. It wasn’t an easy undertaking to raise €2000 each which was directed sent to HOPE for each of their projects. We were able to see first-hand the work that HOPE does for the less fortunate in Kolkata. Some highlights from the trip: -Visiting girls and boys protection homes where they live to keep them safe. These children are often orphaned, abandoned, sold for trafficking or have been on the streets addicted to substances. We saw happy, healthy children that are really being minded and cared for🤍 -Brian’s Way. This initiative is supported by @butlerschocolate in memory of Brian. The children here have additional needs and they can access physical therapies, social care and education in a way that works for them -HOPE Hospital. A truly outstanding place that supports the health and wellbeing of all in Kolkata, regardless of wealth. HOPE treat everyone where state hospitals may not. They provide ambulances if you cannot access the hospital. They had state of the art facilities in an extremely tight space -Soccer match ⚽️ we had loads of fun playing against a variety of children/teenagers who we had met during the week -Walking tour and Jain Temple 🛕 another fantastic way to immerse yourself into the culture and history of the city. There are huge spiritual undertakings in every street of the city and we learned about the connections with the Ganges and how people remember their loved ones and the traditions that come with their funerals -Mother Teresa’s House. We went to mass on Palm Sunday in the Mother House and brought home some palm leaves and medals from the missionaries. -Education on wheels. This was a bus situated in the slums which allowed a safe space for slum-connected children to work on their literacy and numeracy. We also saw other after-school clubs which promoted the importance of education and supporting the students to learn English. We do SO MUCH in the week we were in India. You truly have to see it to believe what is going on on the other side of the world🌎 we came home feeling very grateful❤️