Over 12 years ago, Bro Xavier started working with children from red light areas.

He found that the school he established in the neighbourhood, faced a number of problems, because of the proximity of children to mothers. In 1997, he established Missionaries of the word, an NGO, and shifted the two schools: New Hope [for girls] and New Life [for boys], to Ramchandrapur, 24 South Parganas.

Calcutta Foundation has helped children in this establishment by sending music teachers [from the erstwhile Calcutta Foundation Orchestra] to give them free training in string music. Recently, CF has started to send its staff to train a small group of children in vocal Indian classical music.

A donation of Rs.3, 00,000 was made by CF to the Missionaries to build a room for computers, and one computer was donated to the school, as a start.

In October, 2008, this project was discussed with some representatives of the Australian Govt, and they were very keen to help.  A project report is being made out for building a residential block for girl students of New Hope.

CF has also been instrumental in acquiring vast quantities of wheat, rice and dals for Missionaries, courtesy Fort William. It is hoped that CF will be able to contribute more significantly to this very worthwhile project.