Pupils to see slums up close

“It’s just like Slumdog Millionaire, except in the film you don’t experience the smell.”

The words of Cork woman Anne Copplestone hint at what 32 transition-year students will face this week having travelled with The Hope Foundation to Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in India.

“This is my 11th trip, 10 of these with students. It is called the Immersion Programme and they will visit Hope Foundation projects which focus on healthcare, education, and social services, reaching out to slum and street children,” said Anne, as she hosted a fundraising pizza party at her Mardyke home before leaving for India on Saturday.