The Hope Foundation Annual Report

1. The Hope Foundation Overview 2008/2009

2. 43% of India’s population An estimated 400,000
live in slums Indian children
(1999 CU)
under five years of age
die each year
due to diarrhoea
(UNICEF)
Contents
Design Anja Bondø Text Ida bondø, Paulami De Sarkar and the HOPE team Photo: William Lee-Wright and the Hope Foundation
Chapter 1 - About The Organisation .................................................7
Chapter 2 - India’s children ............................................................10
Chapter 3 - Health Care .................................................................13
Chapter 4 - Education ....................................................................20
47 % of India’s children 267 million people in
drop out of school India lives below the Chapter 5 - Protection ...................................................................27
before grade 5 national poverty line
(2004 DISE) (2005 WB) Chapter 6 - Gender, Skill Development & Income Generation ..........35
Chapter 7 - Volunteers & Visitors ....................................................39
Chapter 8 - Events .........................................................................40
Chapter 9 - Funding Details ............................................................43
Chapter 10 - Details of The Hope Foundation .................................45
It is estimated that More than 122 million
only 30% of the rural households in India are
Indian population has without toilets
(UNICEF)
access to improved
water sources
(2009 Thirst Relief International)
Cover photo:
The Nonadanga slum settlement was badly hit by cyclone Aila in May
09. 300 huts were damaged, all electricity was cut off and the school was
destroyed. HOPE provided emergency relief to the slum-dwellers.

3. The Director, Hope Foundation Ireland
Welcome to the
2009/2010 Annual
HOPE Foundation
overview
“It should
never hurt to be
a child”
Despite the downturn in the world economy, The Hope Foundation was again in a fortunate position to meet all
maureen forrest our commitments as a donor, which has enabled us to sustain our work, supporting our beneficiaries in our many
projects. This was only made possible by the generosity of the general public, our various private and corporate
donors, Irish Aid and the huge commitment of our staff and many volunteers.
The Hope Foundation launched its UK Branch last October. This new office has already held a number of fund-
raising initiatives in the UK to expand the charity’s reach and bring its message to a wider audience. Visits to the
projects have been made by ambassadors Ambassador Andrea Catherwood and Patron Christopher Biggins and
also by many members of the Board.
As the global financial crisis deepens, many governments are now unable to keep their promises on aid and will
not reach their Millennium Goals of 0.7% of Gross National Income to Official Development Assistance (ODA) by
2012. We are in fact likely to see cuts in ODA with analysts predicting anything from a few percentage points to
cuts of as much as one third of current aid levels. Cutting the aid budget is wrong, as it hits the most vulnerable
in our society, the poorest of the poor and will of course affect our work.
Until recently, the general consensus was that the economy would pick up again this year or next, but this now
seems unlikely. The global financial crisis is having a huge negative impact on all our personal lives but unfortu-
nately those suffering most are again the most marginalised in our society.
There are many injustices in the world but few are as harsh as a child’s future stolen; a child denied their basic
The Basanti colony is home to
rights to a birth certificate, food, shelter, education and love and instead forced to endure a life of child-labour or
2,400 children. At the moment
trafficked into a life of child prostitution, the simple truth is: “It should never hurt to be a child”.
Hope & partner SPAN is supporting
120 children in their coaching cen-
For people to have to live in abject poverty in the slums and on the streets in grinding hopeless poverty is an assault
tre and 60 children in the crèche.
on all our senses and is a gross injustice.
We in the west can escape it by boarding a plane for a ten hour flight to our cocooned world of comfort. I never
get over the huge yawning gulf I encounter on my visits, between the rich of this world and the poor.
The work must go on. No words can express my gratitude to each and every one of you for your support. Your
continued help is needed now more than ever. Please help us to continue our work for the children.
Every Blessing and Good Wish to all.
Kindest Regards
Maureen Forrest
Director
4 5

4. Chapter 1
about the hope
foundation
The Hope Foundation, a leading organization founded in Kolkata in 1999, has
been working to achieve sustainable development among poor communities Objectives:
living in the city of Kolkata and surrounding areas. Through its field • Provide shelter, nutrition, education and health care
programmes, training and research, the focus has always been on the services to vulnerable children in order to ensure the
education of children, the health of women and children, child nutrition and survival, development, participation and protection
development, adolescent issues and mainstreaming street children through of these children.
education. • Achieve positive health and nutrition status for these
women and children.
The Hope Foundation focuses on training the staff of local NGOs in • Promote change in the community by developing
administrative and management skills necessary to successfully run an NGO. positive health actions and educational actions
The foundation is also engaged in emergency relief operations. achieving sustainable growth
• Ensure quality of life for the most vulnerable section
of the society.
Mission: • Sensitise the local government about the health,
The Hope Foundation is committed to education and protection needs of the community
and develop effective relationships at different levels.
the development of underprivileged
and vulnerable children and persons Areas of Work:
living in difficult circumstances. It acts • Child Protection
• Child Education
as a facilitator through procurement • Reproductive and Child Health Care
of funds, staff capacity enhancement, • Primary Health Care
• Mental Health Care
technical support and social, economic • Emergency Health Care
• Anti Trafficking Measures
and spiritual development where • HIV/AIDS Awareness and Protection
necessary. • Care and Support for PLWHA
• Income Generation and Vocational Training
• Capacity Building Training and Workshop
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Advocacy and Networking
Amongst the poor in India it is
common that children take care
of each other whilst the parents
are out working as day labourers.
These children need so all the help
HOPE can provide.
6 7

5. about the hope foundation
The Hope Foundation Implementing Partner
Organogram and Chart organisations:
Hope Kolkata Foundation is the implementing 1) Hope Kolkata Foundation- HKF 9) Mohammadbazar Backwardclass
agency of The Hope Foundation. It is committed 2) Society for People’s Awareness Development Society- MBBCDS
to ensuring an acceptable quality of life for the and Action- SPAN 10) Bhoruka Public Welfare
various vulnerable sections of the society. The 3) Society for Educational and Trust- BPWT
Hope Kolkata Foundation (HKF) was established in Envi ronmental Development- SEED 11) Society for Indian Children
February 1999 for the protection and development 4) Mayurbhanj Joint Citizen Welfare- SICW
of children on the street and in difficult Centre- MJCC 12) Rehabilitation Centre For
circumstances. 5) HIVE India- HIVE Children- RCFC
6) All Bengal Women’s 13) Jayaprakash Institute of
Union- ABWU Social Change- JPISC
7) Paschim Banga Krira O 14) Mukti Rehabilitation Centre/
Janakalyan Porishad- PBKOJP Iswar Sankalpa - MRC
8) Halderchawk Chetana Welfare 15) Arunima Hospice – AH
Society- HCWS 16) Human Rights Law
Network – HRLN
HOPE FOUNDATION
Ireland Office
Project
Management,
HOPE FOUNDATION HOPE LIAISON OFFICE HOPE FOUNDATION Monitoring &
Germany Office INDIA UK Office Evaluation Unit of
Hope Foundation
in India.
The Hastings bridge give shelter to
families who have nowhere else to go.
Project
15 Implementing Voulanters & Hope Kolkata Implementation Unit
Local partner NGOs Interns Foundation of Hope Foundation
in India
8 9

6. Chapter 2 INDIA’S CHILDREN
India’s EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT Child labour Children with disabilities
children
- It is estimated that between 40-60% of children India has the largest number of working children According to government estimates, one in every
in the 6-14 age group are out of school. in the world. Estimates on the magnitude of child 10 children is born with, or acquires, a physical,
- About 40% of children drop out of school before labour vary from approximately 11.28 million mental or sensory disability. So India could have
they reach Class V. (Census of India. 1991) to 23.2 million estimated 12 million disabled children. It is estimated that
- 54% of children drop out of school before they by the International Labour Organisation. The 75% of the disabilities are preventable. Official
complete their elementary education. Of them, government admits that about 2 million children agencies estimate that only 1% of children with
51% are boys and 59% girls. are employed in hazardous industries, occupations disabilities have access to education. It is unfor-
India has 375 million children, more than any WHO IS A CHILD? RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR CHILDREN - Enrolment rate at the primary level is 88%: 98% and processes. Other unofficial sources estimate tunate that society continues to treat disability
other country in the world. Their condition has im- The Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Legal and programmatic commitments have to be for boys and 81% for girls. The enrolment rate at 100 million working children in the country. with apathy or at best pity, on the one hand, and
proved in the last five decades, with child survival India has ratified, defines children as persons matched by financial commitments, as reflected in the middle level drops to There are about 74.4 million children, according revulsion on the other. In spite of recognition of
rates up, school dropout rates down, and several below the age of 18. However, in India there the national and provincial budgets. The alloca- 59% - 67% for girls and 50% for boys. to the National Labour Institute, who are neither the need to make special efforts for the physically
policy commitments made by the government at are several different definitions of the child. The tion and spending of adequate financial resources - As far back as 1962, the Kothari Commission had enrolled in schools nor accountable for in the and mentally challenged, the efforts have been
the national and international levels. Resource Census of India defines children as those below on children, although not the only indicator, is an recommended a minimum of 6% of the GNP as labour force. These are all potential child labourers. inadequate.
allocations by the State, however, remain quite the age of 14. But social scientists include females important reflection of the government’s commit- allocation for education. Four decades later, our The 45% of children who are out of school are
inadequate to take care of the survival and health- in the age group of 15-19 years in the girl-child ment. allocation for education is a mere 3.5%. also prospective child labourers. Text:
care needs of infants and children, their education, demographic data. A HAQ-Centre for Child study indicates an increase - 12% of primary schools have only one teacher, Paulami De Sarkar
development and protection. India has made some According to the Constitution of India (Article 23), in allocation and spending on children over the 58% had only two rooms, 60% had leaking Street children Programme Manager
significant commitments towards ensuring the no child below the age of 14 must be employed in last decade. However, this rise is from 0.6% at the roofs, and only 25% of teachers were found India has the dubious distinction of having the Hope Foundation
basic rights of children. There has been progress, a factory or mine or engaged in any other hazard- beginning of the last decade to 1.2% of the Union teaching. largest population of street children. Street
but the issue of Child Rights in India is still caught ous employment. Article 45 says that the State Budget in 1998-99. Thus, for every Rs 100 spent children suffer from destitution, neglect, abuse and
between legal and policy commitments to children will provide free and compulsory education to all by the Union Government of India, only Rs 1.20 PROTECTION AND RIGHTS exploitation. It is estimated that in urban areas
on the one hand, and the fallout of the process of children up to the age of 14. was, on an average, spent on children in the last There are children who are particularly disadvan- alone there are 11 million children on the streets.
globalization on the other. The legal conception of a child varies, however. The decade! The highest percentage spent by the Gov- taged because of their social, economic, physical Of them 420,000 street children live in the six
With State support to the social sector being age of majority is 18 years for girls and 21 years ernment in a single year was Rs 1.80 in 1997-98. or mental condition. These children are placed metropolitan cities of the country. The problem
systematically reduced, more than 360 million for boys under the Indian Majority Act. On the This declined to Rs 1.60 in 1998-99. under the category of children under special or of destitution persists in the country in spite of
people, about 36% of the population (1999-2000 other hand, under the Indian Penal Code, the age difficult circumstances. The following groups of a network of institutional and non-institutional
statistics) are living below the poverty line, though of sexual consent for girls is 16 years. These dif- SURVIVAL AND HEALTH CARE children have been included in this category by the programmes, and services being provided by the
the government estimates this figure at 26%. It is ferent age-specifics under different laws confound - Of every 1,000 children born in a year, 48 die Government of India: government and voluntary organisations.
estimated that women and children account for the very definition of a child. within 28 days of birth. The incidence is much • Children in labour
73% of those below the poverty line. The cuts in The Committee on the Rights of the Child says in higher in the rural areas: 52 child deaths at birth. • Slum and migrant children
the social sector are therefore bound to have a di- its Concluding Observations of January 2000: “In - There are not enough beds to accommodate the • Street children Child prostitutes
rect impact on the lives of children. More than 75 light of Article 1, the Committee is concerned that 25 million annual births. • Children who are neglected or treated as Over the years there has been an increase in the
million children continue to suffer from malnutri- the various age limits set by the law are not in - One in 13 infants dies before reaching the age juvenile offenders number of child prostitutes. Government of India
tion, in spite of buffer food stocks, because of the accordance with the general principles and other of one year. • Children who are physically or mentally estimates put the number at 400,000. According
abeyance of an equitable distribution system and provisions of the Convention. Of particular concern - One in nine children dies before reaching the age challenged to UNICEF, almost 15% of prostitutes enter the
the withdrawal of the public distribution system. to the Committee is the very low age of criminal of five. (This figure corresponds to official figures • Destitute children in need of adoption profession before the age of 15, and 25% enter
Socio-economic factors must also be taken into ac- responsibility under the Penal Code, which is set for 1961.) • Drug addicts between 15-18. A number of children in prostitu-
count. The girl-child has a lower status in India and at seven years; and the possibility of trying boys - Approximately 70% of infant deaths occur in the • Children in prostitution tion are children of prostitutes.
enjoys fewer rights, opportunities and benefits of between 16 and 18 years as adults. The Commit- first week of life. • Children of prostitutes Furthermore, three out of four rape victims are
childhood as compared to the boy-child. The boy- tee is concerned that there is no minimum age for - Acute Lower Respiratory Infection (ALRI) • Children of prisoners minors. In the last 10 years, rape of minors below
child has first right on family and community re- sexual consent for boys. The Committee is further continues to claim15-20% of infant deaths, • Refugee children 16 has accounted for more than 25% of the total
sources. The girl-child is also neglected in matters concerned that minimum-age standards are poorly especially in the first three or four months of life. rape cases and rape of children below the age of
of feeding and health care. The dietary consump- enforced (e.g. the 1929 Child Marriages Restraint - 380,000 deaths occur each year due to Vitamin In spite of the achievements in health, nutrition 10 years increased by 10%. Incestuous rape is the
tion data of the National Nutrition Monitoring Act).” A, iron and iodine deficiencies. 210,000 children and education, the government admits that the commonest form of sexual abuse.
Bureau (NNMB) suggests that the girl in the age are born cretins, or turn blind at pre-school age. special needs and rights of children in difficult
group 13-15 years consumes less than two-thirds - Every year 700,000-800,000 children die from a circumstances have remained “subdued” in the
of the recommended calorie intake. She remains preventable disease, like diarrhoea. larger framework of meeting other basic needs of
intellectually underdeveloped, being denied the - In a country that has buffer stocks of food grains, children. The National Plan of Action emphasises
opportunity to attend school. Most tragically, the nearly 75 million children below the age of 5 the need for tackling the root causes of such situ-
girl-child in India is unwanted and considered a years are malnourished. ations. The major constraint in providing services is
liability by her own family. Marriage is considered - 45% of children below three are severely and the paucity of reliable data on children in difficult
a priority as soon as she attains puberty. chronically malnourished. circumstances. Some of the data that is available is
Children are also the main targets of the labour - Only 44% of children have completed the as follows, but it must be remembered that these
market. They can be hired at much lower wages immunisation schedule. A massive 14% have not data are guess-estimates and projections:
than adults. Many of India’s children are forced received a single vaccine.
into the labour market when they are only three
years old!
10 11

7. 46% of India’s children under Chapter 3
the age of three years old are Health care
malnourished
(2009 UNICEF)
Project Name of the Partnering NGOS
Primary Health Care HKF, HIVE, SEED, SPAN, MJCC, PBKOJP
Emergency Response Project HIVE, HKF
Community Based Intervention for Homeless Mentally Ill Mukti Rehabilitation Centre
Counselling for Mental Health ABWU
Dance Therapy ABWU
Observation & Screening Centre ABWU
Hospital for Underprivileged Children HKF
Rehabilitation of Orthopaedically Handicapped Children RCFC
Hospice for HIV infected and affected children Arunima Hospice
It is estimated that about one third of the popula- The health project was originally conceived 30 000
tion of Kolkatas 14 million people live in slums, through the observations of Hope Foundation 25 000
three-quarters of the Kolkata slum population are partners on the health status of street and slum
20 000
below the poverty line (2003, UN Global Report). dwellers. The six partners of The Hope Foundation
The goal of The Hope Foundation’s health care began conducting research through focus group 15 000
programme is to improve the health status of the discussions and baseline surveys to discover the 10 000
street and slum dwelling population within their real needs of the communities they served.
5 000
operational areas in Kolkata and its surroundings.
Hope Foundation is working with different Govern- The research found that there are a number of 0
ment and Non-Government Organisations in order factors contributing to the low health status of Adult patiens Child patients
to contribute to the health indicators set in MDGs. the street and slum communities: Male 8 011 12 707
Female 29 924 15 572
• Overwhelming poverty;
These factors not only slow down progress made • Limited access to clean drinking water
to improve living conditions of those people but in • Lack of proper sanitation The Primary Healthcare Project is now running
some cases also inhibit it. • Lack of basic hygiene in its second year. Implemented by Hope and the
• Close living conditions spread six local partner organisations (funded by Irish
With regards to the primary health care objectives, communicable diseases Aid), this programme spans across 24 wards
the Hope Foundation works towards increasing • Migrant nature of this population and 2 Gram Panchayats affecting 34 street, slum
access to healthcare facilities, improving water and • Extreme climatic conditions and other resistant but vulnerable communities.
sanitation facilities and improving health aware- • High illiteracy rates Major components of this project include:
ness. Reduction of child and maternal mortalities, • Poor knowledge on what healthcare • Curative and emergency Health support
prevention of HIV, malaria and other diseases can services are available and; Limited access through static and mobile clinics.
only be achieved by creating a base of improved to healthcare services available • Preventive health support through
primary health care facilities and increasing the awareness generation and Community
awareness levels of our underprivileged popula- All the factors listed above render even pre-exist- Health Group formation.
At the Howrah clinic 1772 patients tion. ing government services inaccessible to these com- • Construction and maintenance of
were seen to over the past year. munities, and as a consequence the basic health drinking water and sanitation facilities.
needs of these people have not been met. • Networking and advocacy building
PRIMARY HEALTH resulting in improved accessibility for
One of the major factors contributing to the low people to existing government health
CARE health status of street and slum dwellers is directly services.
PROGRAMME related to the low level of health awareness pres-
ent. Poor hygienic standards and malnourishment The aim of this project is to provide addi-
Encompassing the World Health Organisation’s are affecting people’s ability to fight off sickness, tional services to strengthen the existing health
(WHO) Declaration of Alma Ata (WHO 1978) and and poor drug compliances and low levels of services being provided by the government of
recent Primary Health Care: A Framework for immunization are ensuring that the communicable West Bengal with three main objectives outlined
Future Strategic Directions (WHO 2003), we define diseases remain prevalent. The lack of knowl- below:
primary health care as: edge on reproductive and sexual health, and the • The provision of accessible and equitable
Socially appropriate, universally accessible, and misinformation often found in these communities, healthcare clinics
with scientifically sound first level care provided by is leading to a rise in STDs. It also has a negative • Improved health awareness
a suitably trained workforce. Primary health care impact on health status of mother and child with • Improved access to water and
should be supported by integrated referral systems a high numbers of home births and low levels of sanitation facilities.
and in a way that gives priority to those in most ante-natal (ANC) and post-natal care (PNC).
need, it should maximise community and indi-
vidual self-reliance and participation and include
collaboration with other sectors.
12 13

8. Health care: PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROGRAMME count.
Overall, 5,728 people attended the training • A blood donation camp was organized with a • In the Nareldanga area, one of the partners
Healthcare Clinics: Case studies: sessions, this is a significant rise in numbers Partner organization of Hope who specializes in has identified and motivated 20 youths to take
Through these clinics Hope aims to bring basic Mashumita Panga, a nine-year-old girl was Health Awareness and from the previous year and show that as people such events and is funded by the government, so part in an initiative by the Kolkata Police Author-
healthcare and healthcare awareness to the slum found near the CTC bus stand at Howrah station Community Health Groups: are becoming more aware of health issues and if any crisis occurs blood will be available in the ity: Green Police. The aim of this programme is
and street dwelling populations. They will thus by a social worker of a partner organization The Hope Foundation is continuously strengthen- their primary health rights, they gradually start communities. to involve local youths in maintaining law and
become more aware of other NGO facilities and working in the area. Mashumita was found in the ing the voice of our partner organizations through taking a bigger interest in being able to support order in their communities. The youths have
Government run healthcare institutions. roadside with her father, a migrant worker. She regular funding as well as facilitating advocacy • Networking with the Calcutta Lions Bimal received training from Kolkata Police and may
their communities. Over the past year14,609
Hope and its partners are now running 35 clinics had been injured when she was six-years-old and meetings and workshops. Poddar Eye Hospital resulted in free eye check also have the opportunity in the future to join
people attended the 256 Awareness Camps and ups for people in Banderpatti and Bedford the police force. This initiative gives the youths
in these communities. The clinics have provided had lost her eyesight at that stage. As the family is in addition 14,363 people attended the 143 CHG
quality health care through diagnosis, treatment very poor they never had the opportunity to take Lane. 219 were diagnosed with eye problems, status within their communities and a voice
At local level, this programme empowers its campaigns held in the communities. most of which were given special discounts on within a civic body.
and medication to 66,214 patients including Madhumita to a doctor. The social worker who Community Health Groups (CHGs) to progress the spectacles and those with cataract were oper-
37,935 adult and 28,279 child patients. Among had spotted her asked her to come to the Howrah development of health seeking behaviour in its Healthcare is a basic human right and we help ated on. • One of the partner organizations has
the adult patient population, 8,011 are male and clinic where she was given some initial basic medi- community through conducting health awareness societies to realise this by supporting the CHGs conducted advocacy meetings with the local
29,924 are female. Among the total child patient cine and referred to a govt. hospital. After talks events and camps at least once a quarter and in educating their communities. This is done • Networking with Manipal Health Systems panchayat working in the area who appreciated
population, 12,707 boys and 15,572 girls have with the father to inform him of the situation, the through its efforts to improve the health of 300 through events and campaigns organized by resulted in cardiac camp for children in Panditya. this effort and asked the organization to attend
been treated through these clinics. girl was sent to Howrah hospital. At Howrah she households in its community each year. CHGs, involving the community and helping an administrative meeting with them. This led
was again referred, this time to Calcutta Medical At national level, the CHG’s participate in develop- slum dwellers access health services. •In Mothertala, an unregistered slum, inhabit- to the Integrated Child Development Supervisor
This trend follows that of the initial year of project College and Hospital, which renders specialized ment through organising their events to coincide ants do not have a recognized address and as (ICDS), Shyamoli Ahmed, to express her wish to
initiation and shows these developments: hospital services to all individuals. She was seen by with the Government National Health Days, e.g. One of the major issues the CHGs works on is such cannot seek government identity cards. In cooperate in future activities- like immunization
• ommunities are still more aware and
C a specialist consultant which advised Madhumita National Aids Day. This has a two-tier effect in light of this, it is almost impossible for pregnant of children, mid-day meals etc. Now the orga-
based around reproduction, and as such social
conscious of the girl’s health. As a result should not only be admitted to the hospital, but women to avail of the JSY scheme. Advocacy nization identifies the malnourished children
that the CHG’s and communities become aware of workers visit households to ensure complete
the number of girls attending the clinic also treated free of cost. After a successful opera- conducted with the Borough office has resulted within the community and sends them to the
what the government sees as its health priori- antenatal check ups and postnatal check ups. in them providing a special form for inhabitants local ICDS where they are provided with the
and receiving treatment, is still higher tion Madhumita obtained her eyesight back, after ties, and it also helps the government to reach These visits are designed to educate expectant which ensures that even though they do not regular mid-day meal.
than the boys. three years of nothingness she was yet again able people that in the past it couldn’t due to the mothers about care needed during pregnancy have the relevant documentation, they can still
• These statistics also reveal that women are to see the world around her. A BLP certificate was lack of resources. In effect this component of the and possible danger signs. The Janani Suraksha benefit from the scheme. The CHVs are respon- • The organization has also developed an ef-
steadily becoming more aware of their applied for on her behalf, this entitles her to medi- project bridges the gap between slum dwellers Yojona ( JSY) scheme provides women with post sible for helping people fill out these forms and fective partnership with ICDS centers. There are
own health rights. They have started cines free of cost from the hospital. Madhumita is and government and ensures both are working and ante-natal care and support. The incorpora- will be able to do so long after the completion many poor patients identified with tuberculosis
taking care of their own health; this is currently in good form and is being followed up by side by side to improve the health status of the tion of the JSY into the health awareness com- of this programme. within the community. The organization helps
reflected in the number of women the social worker. population. ponent of this programme has greatly improved the patients to get regular Direct Observation
attending the clinics. women’s realization that healthcare is a human • The organization intervening in the Mothertala Treatment (DOT) from Govt. hospitals, the orga-
• omen and children are primarily the
W Tumpa Mondol, a 22-years-old female resident 51 CHGs have been formed in different parts of right and as such is available to them. JSY camps area has worked to identify partially immunized nization works with ICDS centers and provides
major focus of the programme and the of Chetla lockgate area came to the clinic, of a the field areas. Each CHG consists of four adult children and contacted with M. R Bangur Govt. nutrition to patients who are suffering from TB
have been organized to motivate pregnant
above figures confirm that the women partner organization of Hope, seeking treatment males, four adult females, two girls and two boys; Hospital are now providing vaccination of these and are under DOT treatment.
women to deliver their babies in hospitals, and children.
have access to the clinics and are using for her baby. The social worker noticed she had a Community Health Volunteers (CHV). to minimize mother and infant mortality through
them on a regular basis. shaved and bandaged head. After initial talks with • The Primary Health Care team of one of the
The CHG are trained on the same topics as are regular check ups in govt. institutions. • KMUHO are a government sponsored health- partners of Hope was invited to an Eye Donation
Tumpa it was discovered she had suffered from targeted through he awareness camps and Efforts are being made to form motherhood care provider with a specific remit in the area of Seminar at the premises of the Sambhunath
a brain tumour some four years ago. The tumour campaigns. They have been provided with intense groups that can encourage the young pregnant immunization. KMUHO (a government spon- Pandith Hospital, with the objective of network-
The clinic has monitored the illness profile had been operated at that time, medical advice and effective training on basic hygiene, nutrition, mothers to access these facilities. sored healthcare provider) has been motivated ing with the local civil society to demolish
of the patients. The following reveals table had been given that she should stay in a govt. drug compliance, immunisation, first aid, seasonal to hold a general health clinic in Basanti colony blindness and was honored with a Memento for
reveals some of the issues dealt with: run institution. The problems arose as her family illnesses, sexual health and reproductive health. In terms of supporting communities to gain after highlighting the need in this locality. combined intervention in coming future.
does not have enough financial assets to pay for Social workers have done regular awareness access to resources for local development, Through follow up visits it had been learnt that
medication let alone the cost of a nursing home camps and campaigns in collaboration with the Hope collaborates with the Kolkata Municipal the people of this community are now actively
and had brought Tumpa back to Chetla with them. CHG in order to increase awareness and sensitivity Corporation (KMC) to involve the communi- availing of the healthcare facility.
From closer check-ups it was found that Tumpa to these issues in the community. ties in identifying existing needs for water and
was suffering from worm manifestation around sanitation facilities. Water and Sanitation (W&S)
the area where her brain had been operated. After committees have been created and are working
repeated requests from clinic staff that she should with local councils for the maintenance of new
again be admitted to hospital, her husband finally and existing facilities. This not only ensures com-
agreed and she was admitted to Chittaranjan munities have access to resources, but is a good
Hopsital. The social workers have been following Attendance of Community Health Volunteers in training:
tool for local development and generating basic
up with the hospital and medication was paid for health awareness. So far 33 new latrine systems 07/08 08/09
by the foundation. and 8 new tube wells where constructed in dif-
ferent slum areas in 08/09. Adult Males 933 1,014
ISSUE ADULTS CHILDREN TOTAL Adult Females 1,954 2,297
Networking with the Health Depart-
ments of West Bengal: A good work- Adolescent Boys 1,047 1,030
Respiratory infections 7,580 9,763 17,343 Adolescent Girls 1,239 1,381
ing relationship with govt. run institu-
Tuberculosis 58 41 99 tions is vital to Hope’s work in Kolkata.
Cardiovascular infections 2,932 55 2,987 Here are dome of the outcomes this
Malnutrition 766 711 1,477 years outcomes: Attendance at awareness camp and events:
Gastrointestinal infections 7,311 5,195 12,506 07/08 08/09
•In Chetla area, it was found that the clinics of
Skin diseases 5,714 6,346 12,060 Hope coincided with those of Calcutta Rescue
Gynae/obstetrical 3,398 95 3,493 (CR). As such the clinics at Chetla was put to a Adult Males 2,932 1,522
Referrals to govt run institutions 6,787 1,751 8,538 halt as the government of West Bengal funds Adult Females 8,388 8,549
CR, and it is a more sustainable option to keep
CR for their clinics. Adolescent Boys 1,840 1,337
Adolescent Girls 2,787 2,578
Within the year 8,538 patients have been referred to government run health care institutions by the doctors and nurses. Social workers have developed a
good and effective rapport with these health institutions. The health staff also follows up on all the cases referred.
These tables clearly show that a greater number of females attend awareness camps and
training sessions when compared to their male counterparts.
14 15

9. Health care:
HOSPITAL AND
POLYCLINIC FOR POOR,
EMERGENCY HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH UNDERPRIVILEGED
CARE PROGRAMME CARE PROGRAMME CHILDREN
The Emergency Response Unit (ERU) works 400,000 mentally ill homeless people in India. Counselling Project: There is a special
towards networking between the local police sta- They are often seen, in various states of mental counselling training unit and observation and psy- The Hope Hospital, funded by Weight Watchers sugar, haemoglobin, blood group, lipid profile, cho-
tions and hospitals and rehabilitation centres. The distress and physical abuse, around railway sta- chometric testing for the children. The Counselling Ireland, is now running in its second year. It aims lesterol, triglycerides, billirubin, AST and ALT have
ERU responds to people in crisis and in need of tions, bus stands, pilgrim centres and on street Programme aims at providing special support to to make basic health care services available to been performed for patients. In addition to the
any kind of physical and psychological emergency corners. They are some of the invisible people, destitute traumatized children in difficult circum- poor underprivileged children in Kolkata. above mentioned, the hospital also contains is also
support. It runs 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year. This often separated from or neglected by their families. stances, who are residents of the protection home a x-ray department equipped with modern instru-
project includes the rescue of abandoned children, Nine out of 10 mentally ill people have diagnos- – Children’s Welfare Home. The overall objective of The hospital’s In-Patient services include 30 beds, ments, a qualified radiologist and technicians.
trafficked children and women, injured individuals able and treatable mental disorders. As a result of the project is to ensure proper rehabilitation and an operating theatre, recovery room, sister’s rooms
on the street in need of emergency treatment and treatments and services being difficult to access, mainstreaming of the children and young girls of and nursing stations. Specialised doctors and nurs- Achievements:
mentally ill people on the street. Psychological MRC started Project Naya Daur as a community the Children’s Welfare Home. es are on hand to provide constant supervision of • 152 patients have been admitted to the
support, hospitalisation and treatment for the poor based care and support programme for the home- patients. Both In-Patients and Out-Patients can all hospital In-Patient department.
and homeless is provided to these individuals if less mentally ill in Kolkata. The specific focus of Dance Therapy - Dance for Healing, access different specialist consultant doctors: Child • 46 patients have gone through specialised
required. The project also includes repatriation of the project for the period was to initiate the care Self-expression & Rehabilitation:
Specialist, General Physician, General Medicine, surgeries and treatment in the hospital
the rescued victims and follow-ups to ensure there and treatment of the beneficiaries of the project, Many of the children coming to the Children’s
is no fallback. mobilize community resources and simultaneously Welfare Home have experienced severe trauma, Cardiologist, ENT Specialist, Gynaecologist, Ortho- • 4,041 patients have been provided with
continue with the baseline survey and community a substantial number are mentally challenged paedics Specialist, Surgeons and Dermatologist. treatment through the Out-Patient
Another component entails developing an effective resource mapping for the care and treatment of while several require psychiatric treatment. These Poor patients avails the services from the hospital’s Department
networking and referral system. The project re- the patients. children do not avail from traditional counsel- Out-Patients Department as it gives them access to • 2,441 patients, have received pathological
sponds to the emergency calls from the Police, Fire ling. In most cases they do not have the ability to basic healthcare which they would otherwise not tests
Brigade and clubs and other key stakeholders. They Challenges faced on this project: understand or benefit from talking to a counsellor be able to access. • 205 patients have received ECG
are networking with 31 other local NGO’s, GO’s, • obile nature of the patients
M as they lack the ability of normal reasoning. It was • 781 patients have used the X-ray facilities.
Clubs, and Institutions, Police Stations and Fire • ack of a mobile mental health unit
L therefore decided by experts that non-traditional The hospital also consists of a fully equipped Pa- • The hospital has organised 19
Brigade stations for referral services. In fact, the • ack of community motivation and
L forms of counselling must be provided for these thology Department; a qualified team is available Immunization Camps for children,
projects is successfully running under all 48 Police responsibility children. Dance therapy is one of the methods including an experienced pathologist, biochemist including children suffering from
Stations of Kolkata Police and District (North and • he absence of family members willing to
T used to counsel the special children who are un- and laboratory technician. To date, tests for blood HIV and AIDS.
South 24 parganas) Police stations of West Bengal provide support able to follow regular methods of therapy.
Police adjacent to Kolkata Metropolitan city. • oor physical conditions of mentally ill
P
patients forcing the project to take care of Observation & Screening for Improving
Over the past year the ERU responded to 426 patients general health needs first, the Mental Health Status of Children:
emergency calls, out of which 388 cases were fol- • complicated legal process is required
A The Children’s Welfare Home of ABWU provides
lowed up for further intervention. 17 were sent to to ensure the admittance of a patient to a housing to children who mainly come there from
rehabilitation homes for psychiatric treatments, as government mental hospital. government shelters and homes with court direc-
they were mentally ill people living on street. Out tives and also through the Juvenile Justice Board.
of 222 cases hospitalised, 133 were restored back Activities: Many of these children are suffering from mental
with their families, 40 were placed with rehabilita- • dentify homeless mentally ill people.
I traumas when they come to the home due to fam-
tion centres/halfway homes, and finally 16 people • rovide emergency hospitalisations of 50
P ily conflicts, or because they have been abandoned
are still undergoing treatments at hospitals. There patients. or lost. These are the main factors responsible for
is a separate Crisis Intervention Unit for girls and • rovide essentials like food and clothing.
P the children’s personality and behavioural prob-
boys. Here they provide support to the rescued • un two Drop In Centres for providing
R lems. These are therefore the major areas observed
children and provides them with emergency necessary care and treatment to mentally when formulating rehabilitation strategies. The
treatment. After which a councillor is brought in ill people. Observation and Screening Centre sets out to use
to work with the child so any child in need can be • reat 300 homeless mentally ill people.
T a panel of psychiatrists, counsellors and psycholo-
rehabilitated. • epatriation of homeless mentally ill
R gists, to whom the cases may be referred. The
people Advisory Body will consist of three psychiatrists,
The challenges faced with this • Follow up on patients three counsellors and three psychologists. These
project are ongoing and include: reports will help to create a rehabilitation plan for
• ejection from hospitals
R these children.
• ndifferent attitude of police to lodge the
I
General Diary (GD)
• ifficulty placing mentally ill people
D
persons due to scarcity of proper
rehabilitation centres
• ospital authorities take a long time at the
H
time of hospitalisation.
• efusals from government restoration
R
centres whilst trying to place senior
citizens into their care
In the Hope Children’s Hospital
poor underprivileged children
receive the treatment they so
desperately need.
16 17

10. Health care:
REHABILITATION OF HOSPICE FOR HIV
ORTHOPAEDICALLY INFECTED AND CHICKEN POX
HANDICAPPED AFFECTED CHILDREN AND LIFE ON THE
CHILDREN (RCFC) IN WEST BENGAL STREET
The rehabilitation centre for children has been up There is a community care centre, which cares One hot April day, HIVE ambulance rescue workers
and running since 1973. for 20 patients infected and affected by HIV and where contacted about a small family who where
The main mission is the comprehensive rehabilita- AIDS where 10 beds are reserved for children in bad physical condition and in need of medical
tion of orthopaedically handicapped children aged and mothers. The hospice offers treatment for all help. The mother, Alo Roy and her two young girls,
0-14 years from underprivileged families. opportunistic infections of AIDS, actively plans Debeka (8) and Sangita (7); were suffering from a
the management schedule for every patient and severe case of chicken pox. In any western country,
The following areas are intervened: Metropolitan takes part in execution of this schedule. There is the pox is an easily treated disease, for one of
City of Kolkata, North & South 24 Pgs, Howrah, a unique teamwork comprising of expert doctors, Kolkata’s street dwellers however, the story is a
Birbhum, Burdwan, Malda, Murshidabad, Bankura, nurses, counsellors, peer outreach workers and a completely different one.
Midnapur Districts and Districts of Jharkhand and strong contingent of volunteers. HIVE had been informed about the family’s situ-
Bihar adjacent to West Bengal. ation by Lake Police who run a police-community
Target groups: project. The family members had been ill for some
This project faces major challenges; based on a • HIV infected children time when ambulance rescue workers located
total of 300 million children aged 0-14 in India • Affected children below 18months of them in the emergency ward of a govt. hospital
approximately 30 million are orthopaedically hand- indeterminate sero status (post natal care) where they were denied treatment. As the case
icapped. (2002, JICA Country Profile on Disability) • Affected children even if negative, who of unfortunately often is with street dwellers,
With such a high number at hand, the hospital have lost either both parents or the the family had experienced immense difficulties
reaches out to as many children as possible in its earning member among the parents due getting a doctor to see them, not to mention
area through awareness camps and campaigns to to HIV infection 0mnths-12yrs the troubles they would have to have gone to in
identify and assess the children. Those found likely • Pregnant infected mothers order to cover medical costs. The mother works
to benefit from the services are referred to the as a domestic worker earning Rs. 1,100 a month.
centre, whilst others are referred to state hospitals. The hospice offers the following Her husband died several years ago and she was
The hospital can provide surgery, physiotherapy, services: already struggling to take care of her daughters.
mobility aids, education and pre-vocational • A 10 bedded in-patient care for children After a brief initial examination, it became clear
training as well as psychosocial rehabilitation. with primary level emergency that the two girls needed immediate treatment. As
A cerebral palsy clinic where trained specialists management and procedures their illness had taken hold, both girls tried to ease
improve the functional skills of patients through • Bi-weekly Out-Patient clinics their suffering by scratching and small wounds had
physiotherapy is run twice a week. • Structured counselling services inevitably taken hold. In the hot climate that is Kol-
• Elaborate nutritional care kata in mid-summer, wounds take a long time to
In 08/09 14 campaigns and 19 Early Identification • Weekly in-house psychiatric consultation heal for anyone. Without treatment, and with the
camps were conducted in order to reach out to the • Socio-legal support as and when girls being exposed to the elements and the street
far-flung areas where there is no access of health necessary through networking with filth, the wounds never healed, and were quickly
services to identify the orthopaedically challenged competent organisations infected by bacteria. The bones in their skulls were
children. The camps and awareness programmes • Home based care (at a rudimentary stage) eaten away by the bacteria, one could clearly see
provide these communities with access to ap- Rehabilitation support holes in their skulls. Before long, fly-larva’s also
propriate rehabilitation services at RCFC, and started hatching in the wounds.
generate a better health awareness. Such camps As both girls’ heads were covered in several big
involve the family, community and the service pro- and deep wounds, severely infected and with
viders. Through such interactive discussions they maggots feasting on their flesh, HIVE subsequently
are able to generate awareness highlighting the took the family to other state hospitals. The ambu-
importance of health. RCFC has worked in coop- lance rescue workers where following normal pro-
eration with the local bodies to make the scheme cedure, hoping a govt. hospitals would admit the
successful. In fact, the campaigns and camps have family. Everywhere they went, they were denied Debeka Roy, 8, was admitted to
been a great success, and are fully backed up by treatment. After visiting all the govt. run hospitals the Hope Children’s Hospital with
the local bodies who have demanded more camps in Kolkata, they contacted The Hope Children’s a severe case ofChicken Pox along
and campaigning take place in their areas. Over Hospital who happily admitted the entire family. with her mother and younger
the past year RCFC had 735 beneficiaries (old and After only a few days in the hospital, receiving sister.
new patients), they preformed corrective surgery proper treatment the girls condition improved im-
on 219 children and worked with 257 sufferers of mensely. The hospital was able to kill the maggots
Cerebral Palsy. and start proper treatment of the wounds. After a
few weeks of treatment the family could be dis-
charged from the hospital. As we speak the family
is back on the streets, the place they call home. A
neighbour is looking after them, supporting them
and helping in every way he can. HIVE is in regular
contact with the family and their neighbour, and is
working hard to place the family in a home.
18 19

11. Chapter 4
education In the Hope Tollygunge Coaching
centre 41 children in the age group
5 - 15, benefit from Hope’s educational
support project
Project Name of the Partnering NGOS
Holistic Education Project HKF, HIVE, SEED, SPAN, MJCC,
PBKOJP, SICW, MBBCDS, ABWU, BPWT
Education Sponsorship for Poor Children SEED, SICW, ABWU, HKF, PBKOJP
Strengthening Institutional JPISC
Care through Education
The Hope Foundation is involved in the HOLISTIC EDUCATION PROJECT Within the last year alone, Hope has sup-
sustainable development of the debili- Pre-Primary Education and Coaching Sup- ported 2,279 children in gaining admit-
tated community of Kolkata city and its port for Underprivileged Children: In this tance to, and to
encircling environs. The Foundation has Holistic Education Project Hope, with its continue school education, with the help
an emphasis on providing education and local partner NGOs, aims to improve the of coaching support. Mothers of these
nutrition for the indigent children of vul- educational level of the poor slum dwelling children also have an opportunity to be
nerable families, securing health of those children to ensure basic educational rights involved in economic activity. With the
children and their families, mainstream- for them. support of Hope, local NGOs have suc-
ing street children through education and ceeded in reducing the incidents of school
addressing adolescent issues. Intervention We run Crèches for the children under the dropouts.
strategies have been developed to reach age of six years old where they receive:
these disfavoured children of the city and - Nutritious food For psychological development, all the
its surrounds, through associate organisa- - Health checkups children are provided with counselling
tions as well as the foundation itself. - Mainstreaming support and all the children have access
- Educational support to recreational activities. They celebrated
The aims of Hope’s education different festivals together throughout the
programme are: We also run educational guidance cen- year. The project has involved community
• To create awareness among the tres for first generation learners who are key representatives in those celebrations in
disadvantaged sections of the already mainstreamed into formal schools. order to motivate them.
society regarding the need and In these centres qualified teachers guide
benefit of children’s education the children, ensuring an improvement
• To facilitate processes of in school performance and increases the
education for poor children by probability that the children will stay in
supporting them school. In the educational centres the
• To encourage the parent children receive:
community, the community - Nutritious food
leaders, the child employers, the - Health checkups
political system and the - Mainstreaming
bureaucracy into taking children
out of work and enrolling them
in school.
- Educational support
- School uniforms
- Education materials
39% of India’s
adult population
are illiterate
(2007 UNDP Human Development Report)
20 21