The Christian Charity “Eternal Hope” is active in a variety of social work in Mumbai. It has been founded in 1990 by P.K. Joshua who converted to Christianity, gave up his previous office job and set his goal to help people in need. He traveled to Calcutta to meet and learn from Mother Theresa and after returning to Mumbai, he started his charitable involvement together with his wife Rachel.

Today, the charity is running two schools in the slum of Turbhe in New Mumbai in which in two shifts 225 children are receiving education every day. More than 1000 children could get education during the past years and thus considerably improve their chances in life. Until 2009 the slum area didn’t have any government school and the schools of the Eternal Hope Charity had been the only locations for education in the slum. Meanwhile, there is a government school, in Turbhe, however only 30-35% of the slum children are attending it. The focus of the Eternal Hope schools has therefore shifted to preparing the kids who are older than the regular age of school enrolment to pass the entry exams of the government school in their respective age level. Further, extra classes are given to students who attend government school. Shift 1 is every day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and shift 2 (extra classes) is from 1:30 – 5 p.m.

 

Outside the city, in Panwel, an area where in a couple of years the new airport of Mumbai will be constructed, the Charity is running an orphanage for kids aged 5-10 years. On a large natural plot there is one building with two dormitories and a class room, where at the moment 70 children are living and being taught. The plan is, within a few years to operate a school of high standard at the location for up to 300 children of wealthy parents. Through the school fees these parents are expected to pay, the education of the orphan children would be funded. This plan at the moment cannot yet be implemented due to a lack of funds. At the moment the Charity is constructing a staff house on the grounds where volunteers can stay paying some rent.

 

Volunteers and interns can teach the kids in all subjects, both at the slum in Turbhe as at the orphanage in Panwel; it is possible to teach in English. In Panwel it is further possible to care for the children, spend time with them, play with them etc.

 

Further fields of activity the charity is engaged with include helping young female sex workers to quit prostitution, helping elderly people, handicapped people and drug addicts, supporting women, and developing communities. Recently Eternal Hope succeeded in facilitating 19 minors the escape from the red light district of Turbhe. Social work volunteers or interns can take part in this work.

 

Another Christian organisation, the "Prince and Princess Trust" is running a kindergarten in the slum of Indra Nagar in New Mumbai. Volunteers and interns can assist with taking care of preschool age kids.