The HOPE Foundation School in Chengicherla, Hyderabad

Located in Chengicherla, Hyderabad, the Hyderabad School aims to increase underprivileged children’s access to a free, excellent education. Starting out in 2004 as a study centre, the school is now a full-fledged English medium school with 245 students, having received primary school status in 2018 and high school status in 2021. Students learn English, Hindi, Telugu, maths, science, history, and economics, and enjoy free extracurricular activities such as sports, drawing and crafts.  

Students who attend the Hyderabad School come from families whose total incomes can often be as little as £5 per day, with many working as garbage collectors, drivers of taxis and auto-rickshaws, street vendors and daily wage workers. Some students live in unhygienic residential areas with poor waste management, and many homes feature inadequate light, water, toileting, and bathing facilities. Their community is composed of mainly settled families, although there is a small migrant population as well.  

With 245 students from nursery to the 10th standard — and a goal of increasing to 300 students — the school is fully committed to its community. The staff works diligently to survey the local area to identify children not in school, engage local parents, prevent school dropouts, minimise gender disparity with the student population and much more. The Hyderabad School focuses on keeping their female students in school through parent/teacher meetings, individual counselling, and following up with students who have stopped coming to encourage them to return.  

Composed of 48 percent girls and 52 percent boys, with 90-95 percent of the students staying to continue their education after primary school, the Hyderabad School focuses on empowering its students through education. Each student knows that it is not enough to achieve their dreams — they need to make a difference in the lives of others as well. Thanks to the help of its generous supporters, the school’s leadership and staff work every day to give their students and families a better future.