Step up to help educate street-connected children in Kolkata From 1 - 30 April 2026
Since 1999, The Hope Foundation (HOPE) has helped 100,000 disadvantaged children access education in Kolkata, India. But there is still much more to be done to ensure that every child living on the streets and in the slums can enjoy their right to education.
International Day for Street Children is celebrated annually on 12 April. This day recognises the resilience of street children around the world and highlights the need to respect their rights and ensure their needs are met.
Help mark International Day for Street Children and educate a street-connected child. Sign up to Footsteps For HOPE and challenge yourself to walk 100,000 steps over 10 days in April*. Every step taken and every £1 raised will count towards the journey of education for a child in HOPE’s care. (*Or you could take on a bigger challenge and walk 300,000 steps over 30 days!)
By signing up to Footsteps For HOPE you can help educate a child to enable them with skills to build a brighter future, whilst also enjoying time outside with friends and family in the fresh air!
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Invite friends, family, and colleagues to join the challenge with you
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Follow the link to set up a Just Giving page to raise £100 or more (when prompted select 'Just Fundraising')Follow the link to set up a Just Giving page to raise £100 or more (when prompted select 'Just Fundraising')
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Encourage everyone to donate to your fundraiser
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Download and complete your 10-day Footsteps Tracker here to record your progressDownload and complete your 10-day Footsteps Tracker here to record your progress
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For an extra challenge, walk 300,000 steps over 30 days! Download your 30-day footsteps tracker hereFor an extra challenge, walk 300,000 steps over 30 days! Download your 30-day footsteps tracker here
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Download and share the flyer here to encourage wider supportDownload and share the flyer here to encourage wider support
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Share or tag HOPE UK’s social media posts #FootstepsForHOPE #F4H
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Upload photos to social media to keep the momentum going!
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Email juliette@thehopefoundation.org.uk with any questions or tips to support your fundraisingEmail juliette@thehopefoundation.org.uk with any questions or tips to support your fundraising
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Once your challenge is complete, email juliette@thehopefoundation.org.uk to receive a special certificate to share with your supporters
What funds raised for HOPE can provide in Kolkata:
- £8.60 will buy a pair of shoes and school uniform
- £30 will buy educational stationery and toys
- £80 will provide a month’s salary for a teacher
- £100 will purchase educational books for a child
International Day for Street Children is held annually on 12 April, as an opportunity to give a voice to the 150 million children around the world who live on the streets. On this day, human rights organisations and NGOS – like HOPE – spread awareness not only about the plight of street children, but the bravery and resilience they display in the face of adversity. We also call on decision makers to take action to ensure that the rights of street children are recognised.
It is estimated that there are 250,000 street-connected children in Kolkata, who are from the most disadvantaged communities in India.
Many street-connected children come from families who struggle to access daily necessities such as food, clean water and somewhere safe to sleep. Other street-connected children are alone in the city and vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. They start work as young as age five in order to buy food.
In accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, HOPE believes that inclusive, quality education is a fundamental human right that should be enjoyed by all children, irrespective of their background.
By helping street-connected children – many of whom are first generation learners – to access education, we are helping to build their knowledge, skills and confidence, and providing a pathway out of poverty.
Mousumi's Story of HOPE
“I want to stand on my own two feet so that I have a better place to stay, and my mum and aunt won’t have to work anymore” - Mousumi
100% of your funds will be used for our education programmes and resources for street-connected children aged 2-18 in Kolkata.