Hope Within The Mango Trees

Our series of revealing, inspiring interviews with Future Hope alumni continues with a success story to rival most; that told by Sujoy Roy.

If you've attended a Future Hope supporter event, chances are you've either met or heard from Sujoy. As one of the most active members of our alumni, Sujoy is passionate about giving back, supporting the work of the school and helping develop new ideas. An admirable student, an even better ambassador!

In this episode, Sujoy welcomes broadcaster Jonathan Overend to his office in the City of London. Sujoy has forged...

In part three of our second series, we meet Sutrishna Mayra, a remarkable young woman with big hopes, bigger dreams and surely the brightest of futures!

Future Hope founder Tim Grandage introduces the episode by recalling how, when the organisation began more than thirty years ago, only boys were admitted as they were the ones on the streets. But a visit to modern-day Future Hope reveals an equality of opportunity and achievement, illustrated perfectly when you listen to Sutrishna's astonishing story.

Erica Grandage, working as a nurse in those early days, recalls the...

As our series of extended interviews with Future Hope alumni continues, we leave Kolkata for another great city of the world... Paris, France!

It's here, in the 5th Arrondissement, we meet Tapash Chakraborty, a rugby loving food fanatic whose love for hospitality has led him to this beautiful corner of the French capital.

Perhaps, while wandering down Rue Mouffetard, the most picturesque of streets south of the Latin Quarter, your senses will draw you slightly to the East. It's here, on Rue Monge, we arrive at India StreEAT. It's a surprise we ever...

Hopefully you've heard the first series of "Hope Within The Mango Trees"; our eight-part documentary which told the full, extraordinary story of Future Hope, the school for street and slum children in Kolkata, India. We're so glad so many of you enjoyed it and discovered the joys of Future Hope!

Founded more than 35 years ago,after a sequence of unlikely events involving an English bank manager, a local doctor and a group of streetwise kids, the school has provided a home, an education, a family for thousands of children.

Tim Grandage, who started...

After the publication of "Hope Within the Mango Trees" in April 2024, many of you have become part of the Future Hope family; certainly a little more familiar with our remarkable story and ongoing work.

On a daily basis, hundreds of street and slum children continue to be supported, housed and educated, thanks to your support.

We were blown away by the reaction to the initial documentary series, made with love and passion by a small team of Future Hope friends, and it continues to find new listeners in every corner of the world.<...

It's 1987.

Tim Grandage, a young up-and-comer of a banker, assigned to a branch in central Kolkata, befriends street kids who hang around outside his branch. 

They look after his car, fearing any damage would send blame their way, but never ask for a single rupee.

One day, medical attention is required, Tim steps in... and the story begins. 

Future Hope was a dream, born on the floor of his apartment, and, 36 years later, it remains this man's passion. Relentlessly caring, finding solutions, making connections. He never stops, as...

As we reveal more of the aspirations and achievements of Future Hope students, we take to the streets of Kolkata to gain a deeper understanding of their incredible journeys.

From the stations, to the slums, to the incredible night market; we dive deep into the heart of one of the great cities of the world.  

It’s easy to forget where these young people have come from. Often, lives begin in extreme poverty. Most are malnourished, many are abused. Born and raised in a mud-hut by the railway line or running free on a st...

With energy to burn and rules non-existent, street children in Kolkata are wild and free. “They’re used to getting bumped” says Tim, “but on the rugby ground, they can bump somebody else!” 

"Tim made Rugby accessible to all," says Sujata Sen, Future Hope CEO. Four students of the school have gone onto represent the India national team! This is inspiring stuff...

Rugby was the first sport introduced at Future Hope; playing a vital role in developing discipline, team work and personal responsibility. For children who would run away when told to sit down, let al...

“It’s fantabulous!” exclaims Dr Sarkur in the medical room at Future Hope, a tiny space off the main assembly hall.

He’s talking about the dedication of Erica Grandage, a trained nurse and first Future Hope volunteer, whose work has completely transformed the medical provision at school over three decades. 

Erica's story, as we're discovering, is remarkable in itself. This episode begins with an atmospheric description of her first impressions of Kolkata. When she describes the early conditions she encountered, and the state of some of the children she treated, the scale of Future...

For the first time, we’ve escaped the frenetic city centre of Kolkata and, in this episode, find ourselves immersed in the beautiful West Bengal countryside. 

Accompanied by a tranquill soundscape, we move closer to life in Rajarhat; about an hour away from Rowland Road. For Future Hope, this is indeed the future!

More in a moment...

Before that, we pick up the story of the family from Sealdah Station. Future Hope can't offer direct school places any more, it is 100% compliant in all its operations, but the outreach work pro...

Evicted twice and threatened with closure in the late 1990s, Future Hope needed some good fortune. When all seemed lost, a chance meeting on a street corner in central Kolkata would shape the future... an emotional reunion awaits.

And so we arrive at Rowland Road, the school’s current home. In the heavy pollution of the city centre, walking through the gates comes as “a whiff of fresh air”, according to Principal Meenu Patodia! 

We’re introduced to many of her staff as we take a tour of the buzzing, high-achieving school campus in the comp...

Future Hope is an expanding school with a growing reputation for excellence. That comes as no surprise when you hear Head Girl, Isha. Her powerful testimony illustrates perfectly how vital Future Hope’s work continues to be. After she speaks passionately on the role of women in India today, it’s symbolic that the return visit to Sealdah Station reveals a surprise twist. 

How different things would have been had Tim Grandage failed to navigate choppy waters in the Future Hope early years! As we turn the clock right back, we discover how close they came to closure...

For part one of the series, immersed in the sounds of Kolkata, say hello to Nikhat Khatun, your guide on this remarkable journey! Providing first-hand evidence of the transformational work of Future Hope, Nikhat has moved from life on the streets, through ten years at the school, to graduation, to full-time employment, to her debut as an international broadcaster! What a story!

Children arrive at Future Hope with nothing. No home, often no family. Malnourished, often abused. But in the centre of the city lies sanctuary, and this podcast dives deep into the transformational work of...

Coming soon; the remarkable story of Future Hope, a unique school for street and slum children in Kolkata, India!

This immersive documentary series will be released in April 2024 over eight remarkable episodes, with further content to follow.

Future Hope is about transforming lives. Kids arrive with a history of unimaginable hardship; most severely malnourished, many seriously abused. This series discovers how, through education, mentoring and sport, children are given hope and the opportunity to shape their own futures.

This astonishing story, drenched in the sounds of one of the great...