HOPE UK invited us to sign up for their exciting new annual fitness challenge - Footsteps For HOPE and make our steps count towards educating street children in Kolkata. The challenge is to accumulate as many steps (and £s) as possible between 12th April and 12th June. It is 10,000 miles from the UK to Kolkata return and every 10,000 steps is approximately 5 miles. The more steps all the participants take together, the closer we will get to reaching Kolkata! £100 will provide books and admissions fees to educate one child in HOPE’s care in Kolkata.

The girl I sponsor is in a HOPE protection home so is able to continue her education because they have computers for online learning and she is also safer from the threat of Covid. Usually, although they are very well cared for by HOPE, you would feel such compassion for the children in these homes because they are there due to being orphans, victims of abuse, rape, child prostitution etc. Today I am happy she is safe and feel sorry for and so worried about the HOPE sponsored children who live on the streets or in the slums with their families. Although they are loved and will receive food aid, with schools closed, they have no access to education and now they are obviously at risk of this new strain of Covid which is giving children worrying symptoms.

Times are very hard and frightening. HOPE India lost their beloved director, Geeta Venkadakrishnan, to Covid in October 2020 which turned the fear into a reality. Geeta was an Aunty to the children and very much loved by everyone. The HOPE hospital Covid ward beds are full of patients (street people who are not eligible for state hospitals) so they are also fundraising for equipment and to extend the hospital space. If you’d rather make a donation to that please do so here https://www.thehopefoundation.org.uk/covid-19-emergency-response/

Thanks so much for your support.