By Sophia Ahmedyahia

During my five-month internship in the breathtaking Himalayas of Darjeeling, India, I had the incredible opportunity to work with the Edith Wilkins Street Children Foundation, an experience that became a key part of my studies in BSc International Development at University College Cork.

Walking through the Edith Wilkins Street Children Foundation’s doors each morning during my internship, I was greeted by laughter, playful banter, and sometimes a few familiar arguments over toys, echoes of the vibrant, resilient spirit that fills this place.

With a deep passion for human rights, gender equality, and social justice, I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be welcomed by the children and staff and to contribute in any way I could to support their incredible work.

As I read through each child’s case file I was brought to tears, I could hardly believe that the bright, joyful children around me had come from lives marked by hardship and instability.

The warmth, love, and stability provided by the house mothers and fathers have transformed these kids so profoundly that the pain in those files feels like it belongs to a different child. The foundation has not just given these children a roof, it has given them family, belonging, and the space to just be kids again.

The Edith Wilkins Street Children Foundation, founded by Cork born Edith Wilkins in 2006, is dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children, many of whom have been victims of child labor, trafficking, sexual exploitation, and abuse. In this home in Darjeeling, India, these children find safety, healing, and a chance to reclaim their childhoods.

The foundation provides access to education, healthcare, vocational training, and counseling, empowering them to build brighter futures. Through nurturing relationships with house parents, staff, and other children, they find the stability, compassion, and community they need to overcome past hardships and rediscover themselves.

In 2015, a young girl arrived at the Edith Wilkins Street Children Foundation after escaping traumatic abuse and forced child labor in Darjeeling. Her parents, unable to provide for her, had sent her to live with relatives who mistreated and traumatically abused her. At the foundation, she found safety and the chance to rebuild her life. Starting school in Class 5, she worked tirelessly, dreaming of becoming a nurse. With the foundation’s support and the love of house mothers and staff who treated her like family, she thrived. Today, after nearly ten years, she has passed her nursing exams with top scores and even secured a government scholarship to fund her college education.

As the Edith Wilkins Street Children Foundation continues its vital work, it faces an uphill battle to maintain the resources necessary for the children who rely on its care. In a world filled with countless tragedies, this foundation’s quiet yet profound impact often goes unnoticed. However, the need for support is urgent and real. Funds are needed not just for food and clean water but also to ensure that these resilient children can continue their education and dream of a better future. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps sustain a place where laughter and learning replace the shadows of their past, your support can make all the difference.

Donations can be made easily through our Enthuse page, where your generosity can help provide essential resources and opportunities for these deserving children at https://edithwilkinsfoundation.enthuse.com/donate#!/

Link to Donations Page

or pay directly into our bank account:

Bank Account Name: Edith Wilkins Foundation;

IBAN No: IE48AIBK93434821439006;

BIC: AIBKIE2D

Bank Account No: 21439006 or

Post your payment to:

Edith Wilkins Foundation Office at

Unit 4, Drake Centre, Carrigaline, Co Cork