Project HOPE is a Derby based, registered charity set up by twelve men from Rolls-Royce in the aftermath of the 2005 South Asian earthquake. The object is to provide funding, facilities, material and equipment to aid the education of orphans.
The 2005 Asian earthquake resulted in over 80,000 deaths; amongst the millions left behind in the aftermath were thousands of orphans whose lives have been turned upside down making them particularly vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous members of society.
In one specific village, Chanari, more than 100 children and two teachers were killed when the school was destroyed. Since then, the survivors have been having their lessons in tents.
After learning of the devastation, the 12 workmates from Rolls-Royce decided to act and set-up Project HOPE with an aim to raise the cash to build a replacement school. Having raised £70,000 for the school through cricket matches, dinners and quizzes, as well as donating money themselves, a primary school has now been built. More than 300 children aged between six and 15 are now being taught in 12 classrooms in the prefabricated building which cost £30,000.
Project Hope chairman Abdul Jalil said that all the men felt compelled to act after they saw the conditions in which the children were being taught. He said: “It was when I went out there in September and saw the children in tents in 40-degree temperatures that I knew we had to get the children out of there. It’s a great feeling to know that children are really happy now".
An additional £40,000 has been raised to build a secondary school in the same village but are still £15,000 short of the £55,000 needed to build it.
Mr Jalil said: “The children are now two years older from when we started the project and they need a secondary school so they can learn practical sciences and use computers.”
“If anyone can contribute to this noble cause we’d be very grateful”.
Project HOPE's aim is to continue to provide housing and educational facilities for orphans in any poverty stricken area of the world. They want to make a real difference to the lives of orphans by providing them with the facilities to obtain education in a safe and secure environment and thereby hopefully giving them the opportunity to make a useful contribution to future society.
For further information on Project HOPE and how you can help please call Malooq on 01332 341956 or send an email to abdul.jalil@ntlworld.com
Donations to Project Hope can be made via HSBC bank account,
sort code 40-19-37, account number 01521705.