Maureen Forrest, founder of street children’s charity The Hope Foundation (HOPE), was the winner in the Women Entrepreneur category at this year’s Bengal’s Pride Awards held in the Parliament complex in London recently.
The accolade recognises Maureen’s 25 years of “compassion and unwavering determination, innovation and success” and her outstanding contribution to the Bengali community.
Commenting on her win, Irish humanitarian Maureen said: “I am so honoured to have received this award. I set up The Hope Foundation in 1999 to invest in the sustainability of human life, affording children and adults with necessary skills, and an opportunity to become self-sufficient.
“I have met and worked with the most extraordinary people on my journey with HOPE over the last 25 years and have seen that when we move forward and operate with unity and solidarity, we can achieve great things.”
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The award was collected on the behalf of Maureen by HOPE’s CEO of International Operations, Maura Lennon.
She said: “For the last 25 years, HOPE has been delivering humanitarian programmes to street-connected and slum-dwelling communities in Kolkata. Delivering healthcare, education, vocational training programmes, emergency response programmes and, most importantly, child protection programmes.
“Our vision is of a world where it should never hurt to be a child, and with your support we can all make a difference. With your support we will continue for the next 25 years and beyond to deliver our programmes.”
Founded in 1999 to offer a single child protection programme to 13 vulnerable young women, HOPE now implements 57 education, healthcare, vocational training, protection, and emergency response programmes in Kolkata. Since its inception, HOPE has positively impacted the lives of 3 million children and adults in the city.
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Now in its sixth year, the Bengal’s Pride Awards are dedicated to celebrating the achievements of the British Bengali community across India and Bangladesh.
*Info: The Hope Foundation