The Hope Project in New Delhi, India was begun in 1975 by Pir Vilayat. From its very humble beginnings as a program to provide milk to the children of the basti (the very old neighborhood near the dargah of Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan), The Hope Project has grown to include schooling for hundreds of children, health care, thrift and credit, and vocational training. Some of the young men in the vocations program are learning to be tour guides and have welcomed many guests for the recent Urs presentations in February every year at the dargah.
There is great poverty in this very old neighborhood and great dignity as well. The emphasis is on education and health care for those who do not have other resources. A recent addition is a Mobile Medical Unit (“Hope on Wheels”) funded by a German radio station and other donors from Germany.
The Board of Directors of The Hope Project invited Sufi Ruhaniat International to be a participating and supporting member; Richard Cuadra has been a board member since February 2008.
The Hope Project currently runs a community health center, a creche, a non-formal school, vocational training courses, a thrift and credit program, and a women's micro-enterprise unti. The Project has 70 staff members, many of whom come from the community. It is financed largely by private donations from the international Sufi community and by other donor agencies. Guided by the spiritual ideals of Hazrat Inayat Khan, the Hope Project is driven by the spirit of service to humanity and respect for all religions. It strives to provide people, especially the poor and vulnerable, with opportunities and resources so that they can realize their hidden potential and determine their own future.
Donations have been given by many individuals, in amounts from $1-1000 and more. Camps, retreats, special events, and auctions have made The Hope Project a fundraising focus. To expand this important work, we remind all to donate yearly and to remember the Hope Project in our wills. Every dollar is well spent. It is truly amazing how much work is done on such a budget!
Donate to the Hope Project here
write "Hope Project" in your donation memo