[vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1467819847820{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”42546″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1523296068294{margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_column_text]
23rd October – 3rd November 2018
Our vision for Yoga For HOPE is to accompany you on an authentic life changing journey to meet the wonderful light filled street and slum children of Kolkata whilst funding and supporting the incredible ongoing work of The Hope Foundation.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1523269491023{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1467819863910{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]
What is Yoga For HOPE?
Yoga For HOPE was established in 2009 by yoga teacher and dedicated supporter of HOPE, Mella Murphy, to help raise much needed funds to support HOPE’s projects with the street and slum children of Kolkata.
It is a programme designed for Yoga teachers and enthusiasts to share their knowledge and pass on the gift of Yoga to the children in The Hope Foundation’s protection homes in Kolkata, West Bengal, to help enrich their lives. It was Mella’s way to say thanks to HOPE having met her husband, Donal, on HOPE’s Himalayan Walk in 2006![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_single_image image=”40401″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_border” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1467820340196{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”41499″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_border” onclick=”link_image”][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]After 5 successful years Mella passed over the group leadership to past Yoga For HOPE participants who have been running it ever since. They are proud to carry Mella’s vision to the next level taking people on a spiritual journey to meet the children of Kolkata. You can learn more about this year’s Co-Facilitators here:
Gillian Houlihan is a Certified Pranic Healer who has studied the teachings of Grand Master Choa Kok Sui, the Founder of Pranic Healing, in Kolkata, Ireland and in the UK. She has experience in Reiki, Spiritual, Pranic and Distant Healing which she has married beautifully for the last 38 years with her caring role as a pharmacist. Gillian recently qualified in The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga Teacher Training at The Chopra Center University in California with Dr. Deepak Chopra and Master of Wisdom Meditation Training with David Ji.
Jean Jyanti Noonan is a Yoga Teacher and Retreat Leader working in Ireland and Europe. She is passionate about yoga and preserving the ancient teachings Mother India has to teach us. She has experienced first hand the benefits yoga can have on your life and so, 5 years ago, left her job in Pharmaceuticals to pursue yoga full time. She has participated in the Yoga for HOPE project in 2012 and 2014 and is delighted to be returning this year as a Co-facilitator.
Joe Faulkner joined the YOGA for HOPE group in 2012 and has been a supporter ever since. He is a Healer, Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist with many years experience. He works with energies being a Reiki master and Pranic Healer. He is delighted to be returning this year as a Co-Facilitator and excited to share the experience with you all.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1523349930026{margin-top: 40px !important;margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”]
What is on the itinerary?
Together Gillian, Joe and Jean have an inspiring vision for Yoga For Hope 2018. This year’s participants are going to experience two contrasting aspects of India. We will arrive and dive into a packed schedule visiting projects and seeing the wonderful work of The Hope Foundation in the bustling city of Kolkata.
We will include visits to HOPE’s projects with lots of time to meet and do yoga and have fun with the children. You will get to see exactly where your donations to The Hope Foundation go and get to experience first hand the work HOPE does. We will also visit some of the Pranic Healing centres and have an opportunity to experience and learn more about this system of healing. There will be an opportunity to visit St. Teresa’s tomb and some of the sights for which Kolkata is renowned.
The first weekend will see us take some time out to reflect, process and discuss the HOPE projects in Vedic Village. Here we will lead you on a mini retreat in the peaceful surroundings of this hideaway. You will get to experience yoga, meditation, healings and much more while incorporating ancient teachings and practices of Ayurveda. You will have some much deserved down time.
We will then return to visit more HOPE projects and attend The Hope Foundation’s Foundation Day seeing children from over 60 HOPE projects coming together in celebration of HOPE.
Visits to HOPE’s Projects
A unique aspect of this journey is visits to HOPE’s projects in Kolkata. We believe it is vitally important for participants to see first-hand just where their fundraised money is being put to use. Most importantly participants will get a chance to meet with some of the children on the projects and visit schools, medical facilities and craft cooperatives run by HOPE together with our Indian partner groups. This is a unique opportunity to see your fundraising in action. You will never forget your time visiting the children of Kolkata who have been given so little but have so much joy to share.
Participants will also attend HOPE Foundation Day, our annual celebration of the achievements of HOPE and our partners and beneficiaries in Kolkata. Children from HOPE’s projects will treat you to a vibrant live show with all of HOPE’s staff, partners and guests in attendance.
Sound amazing to you? Then come join us!!!
Your FAQs are answered below!
Download Yoga for HOPE 2018 Info Pack + Application Form below
[dt_button size=”big” style=”default” animation=”none” color_mode=”default” icon=”fa fa-download” icon_align=”left” color=”” link=”https://www.hopefoundation.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/YogaForHOPE_InfoPack2018.pdf” target_blank=”true”]DOWNLOAD[/dt_button]
Message from Mella Murphy, Yoga For HOPE Founder
Mella has practiced teaching the many schools of yoga in Europe, Africa and India for over 40 years. She is also a qualified psycho-logical hypnotherapist and counsellor.
October 2006 found me part of a team of Hope Foundation charity walkers going to the Himalayas, India, in aid of the street and slum children of Kolkata. The poverty and suffering in Kolkata must be seen to be believed. I was humbled and saddened to witness such conditions but delighted to be part of a charity which was making such a difference to these children’s lives. In the midst of all this deprivation would you believe I found LOVE!! I went to India with the intention of giving a little and I received a soul-mate in return; a wonderful man who has enriched my life! 2008 found us returning together with HOPE to the street and slum children of Kolkata and also to have our marriage blessed and witnessed by the charity which brought us together – The Hope Foundation.
In 2009 I decided I wanted to become more involved and to use my passion for Yoga to help the many children of Kolkata who had touched my life.
If any or all of this programme inspires or delights you, if you are curious or even feel daunted by the way it resonates with you, or if you would like to talk and connect with us to find out more about Yoga For HOPE please feel free to call us:
Eila Flynn: eila@hopefoundation.ie or 01 8716930
Namaste,
Gillian – gmhoulie@gmail.com
Joe – faulknerjgm@gmail.com
Jean – anamsolasyoga@gmail.com
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row margin_top=”” bg_type=”bg_color” bg_override=”full” bg_color_value=”#ffffff”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”38px”][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Frequently Asked Question” heading_tag=”h4″][/ultimate_heading][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_toggle title=”Do I have to be a Yoga Teacher or Therapist to take part?” style=”round_outline” size=”lg” el_id=”1467818828659-befdde79-9424″]You do not need to be a Yoga teacher or therapist to take part. However you do need to have some yoga experience and an interest in yoga/meditation/healing/ayurveda. Our vision is to bring like minded people on this spiritual and healing journey. We value every member of the group and recognise that each person has a gift in connecting with the children and staff in unique ways.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How much do I have to raise to take part?” style=”round_outline” size=”lg” el_id=”1467819136994-f6dd9f6b-f112″]Each participant is asked to raise €3,800 to take part. You can choose to fundraise or pay yourself, or both, depending on what suits you. HOPE will supply information and support on fundraising to all participants.
More than half of the total funds you raise will go directly towards HOPEs projects in Kolkata.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”When do I need to submit these funds?” style=”round_outline” size=”lg” el_id=”1467819009175-5e925b1d-bcdf”]The following instalments of funds are requested:
1) Deposit €380: On Registration (on or before July 1st, 2018)
2) Balance €3,420: To be paid on or before October 1st, 2018
*Flights: Participants are required to book their own flights to Kolkata. Please contact Eila in the HOPE office on 01 8716930 for further details before booking your flight.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What is covered by my fundraising?” style=”round_outline” size=”lg” el_id=”1467819039815-a74801e9-9bba”]Your €3,800 will cover: hotel accommodation, breakfast and evening meals, tour guides, HOPE t -shirts and fundraising materials, all transport costs within India.
It does NOT cover: your flight to Kolkata, visa for India (€52 for Irish passport), garda vetting clearance cert, vaccinations and malaria tablets, single room supplements, pranic healing experience, changes to flights, travel insurance, extra insurance requirements or off-itinerary activities.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How can I fundraise for Yoga for HOPE?” style=”round_outline” size=”lg” el_id=”1467819068795-d19e1f55-e22c”]When you sign up to take part, HOPE will send you further information on fundraising and you will receive support from our Cork and Dublin Offices. Enlist as many helpers as you can to help you reach your target! It may feel daunting however, once you begin to think in terms of generating fundraising opportunities, there are no end of possibilities! A previous participant committed to making the journey 8 weeks before departure and was truly amazed by the manifestation and generosity that quite simply appeared following that commitment – this will happen for you!![/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”I have very little yoga experience / I am a beginner, does this matter?” style=”round_outline” size=”lg” el_id=”1467818979266-0d600385-e4d4″]This will not matter. Group leaders Suzi von Mensenkampff and Gillian Houlihan are very experienced and will guide and support you should the need arise. As we have discovered from our previous Yoga For HOPE programmes, the children teach us all more than we could ever teach them! It is their uninterrupted ability to be present and open that helps remind us to do the same. Our Yoga is viewed purely as a gift to be shared, and is a fun avenue to connect and bring peace to the children and ourselves. The emphasis is really on sharing time and energy with the children.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Will I feel overwhelmed by what I see?” style=”round_outline” size=”lg” el_id=”1467818917199-1ebbad0a-81f7″]Kolkata is unlike any other city and there will no doubt be elements of the trip that you are likely to have never experienced: However you will be fully supported by the staff and Yoga For HOPE organisers to ensure you ALWAYS feel safe, supported and at ease. There is always someone available to you at any time throughout the programme and beyond.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”I am not able to make the trip this time but I want to help?” style=”round_outline” size=”lg” el_id=”1467819156486-0d657019-1072″]There are several ways in which you can help, by holding your own fundraising events eg. coffee morning, table quiz or raffle etc.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How do I sign up?” style=”round_outline” size=”lg” el_id=”1487687076367-a992ce4b-5ab6″]Fill out the registration form included with the information pack (download above) and return to HOPE with a deposit of €380 plus 2 photocopies of your passport
Send to:
Eila Flynn, The Hope Foundation, Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7
or contact Eila on eila@hopefoundation.ie or 01 8716930[/vc_toggle][/vc_column][/vc_row]