Jonathan Rhys-Myers Announced As HOPE Foundation Ambassador
Jonathan Rhys-Myers and Hope Foundation volunteers at the announcement of Jonathan's new role as Hope Foundation ambassador.
February 18th 2008 - Jonathan Rhys-Myers took a break from his busy schedule to announce his latest role, as ambassador for the Irish charity, the HOPE Foundation, a charity set up to help the street children of Kolkata.
As an ambassador, Jonathan hopes to help raise the profile of the charity and their continuous efforts working with street children. Jonathan plans to visit Calcutta this year to see for himself the appalling conditions in which the street children live and the tireless efforts and work carried out by the HOPE Foundation.
On becoming an ambassador for the HOPE Foundation, Jonathan said:
“ I'm deeply honoured to become an ambassador for an organization like the HOPE FOUNDATION. HOPE, an initiative started in my native Cork over eight years ago, has provided shelter, medical care and support to some of the world's poorest and most mistreated children, the street children of Calcutta. If I can use my name and celebrity to advance awareness of great work the HOPE Foundation does in some small way then I am delighted to be able to do so. I want to salute the efforts of all those who work tirelessly for the HOPE Foundation and to it's director Maureen Forrest and to wish them continued success in the very important work that they are doing on behalf of some of the world's most vulnerable children."The HOPE Foundations aim is to restore basic human rights to the street children of Calcutta. Children forced to exist on the streets and in slums areas with no form of shelter- being born, washing, eating, sleeping and dying on the streets, alone and uncared for. There are many injustices in the world, but few can be so harsh as a child’s future stolen, her life over before it has even begun.
Founded in Cork in 1999, HOPE supports over 57 projects including fives homes, a HIV/AIDS hospice and a drugs rehabilitation centre and a hospital for the street children.
HOPE battles against child labour and child trafficking to highlight the unimaginable suffering the estimated 250,000 street children have to endure. In 2007 Maureen Forrest director of the Hope Foundation won International Person of the Year for her dedication and work.
Speaking at the launch, Maureen Forrest said: We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jonathan as our ambassador and we look forward to forging a strong relationship with him.
Ends
For more information please contact:
Sara Dymond, O’Sullivan PR
Tel: 021- 489 1100 Mobile: 086 1044011
Email: sara@osullivanpr.ie
Note to the Editor:
About The Hope Foundation:
The Hope Foundation was set up in 1999 and works primarily with the street children of Calcutta and the subsequent difficulties that these children encounter. The estimated population of street children in Calcutta is 200,000. HOPE and their Indian NGO partners' main objective is to continue to help abused and abandoned street children and improve their quality of life.
HOPE works with our Indian partner groups and operates over 55 projects whose aim is to assist as many street children and members of their community as possible. It begins with the youngest children and the establishment of crèches, something that is very unique in Calcutta, which allows both parents or single mothers to work to support their families. Vocational training is given to young teenagers and working mothers so that they can have a livelihood and counselling plays a huge part in helping those who have been abused while living on the streets. HOPE also operates girls and boys homes to cares for those who are deemed to be at high risk on the streets. The home provides them with food, clothing, shelter, education, a brighter future but most importantly love, something that many of them have never experienced before.
HOPE was recently honoured in India when the organisation received the prestigious Bharat Nirman Award for its work with street people. With a new hospital, ChildWatch programme and anti-child trafficking project, HOPE is now the largest and most recognised NGO in Calcutta. Currently reaching out to over 18,000 street people The Hope Foundation aims to break the cycle of poverty and free the street children from a life of horror and fear.
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