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HOPE Intl

Sep 20 2023

HOPE Intl

 Stories we love
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An emergency that almost led to a lifetime of debt

Pictured above: Divya (on right) with other members of her savings group

Divya’s* son, Rakesh, had been sick for years. His coughing, fevers, and colds were nonstop and left him feeling weak. Eventually, he couldn’t walk even a short distance. She’d taken him to hospitals and doctors in their community in South Asia* but never received a clear diagnosis for his worsening symptoms.

Then she received startling news: “One day, the doctor said that my son had a hole in his heart, and he [needed] to undergo the operation,” Divya recalls. “I was shocked.”

But a second blow was soon to come: how to pay for the procedure without falling into a lifetime of debt.
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HOPE Intl

Sep 20 2023

HOPE Intl

 News Stories we love
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One year later: the impact we’re seeing in Tanzania

When launching HOPE Tanzania last year, Peter Greer, HOPE’s president and CEO, emphasized, “The reason behind every expansion at HOPE is to invest in the dreams of even more families.” 

One year later, we’re praising God for opening the doors to do just that. Check out these stories of how savings groups are already impacting Tanzanian families and communities—there’s so much to celebrate!  Continue Reading…

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HOPE Intl

Jun 14 2023

HOPE Intl

 Microfinance Spiritual Integration Stories we love
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Dreams of life beyond a landfill

Jovelee Maala didn’t know the Payatas Controlled Disposal Facility as the largest open dump site in the Philippines—for her, it was home. 

Opening in the 1970s, the site served as a fixture in Jovelee’s hometown, Quezon City. Local families built their homes there, and thousands more traveled to the site to pick through the trash, searching for items to sell—and when she turned 18, Jovelee joined them. 

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HOPE Intl

May 25 2023

HOPE Intl

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How one family’s story illustrates the impact we’re seeing in Zambia

John and Grace smile with their arms around each other in their field.

Seeing lives transformed is the joy of our work at HOPE International–and we know it is happening across the globe. In 2021, we administered the HOPE Quotient—our internal survey to measure material, spiritual, social, and personal impact—to almost 300 savings group members served by our church partners in rural Zambia. This model works!  

We also sat down with John and Grace Bender in their home in Ibenga, Zambia. What we learned from them illustrated the transformation we are seeing in the broader lives of savings group members.  Continue Reading…

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HOPE Intl

Dec 23 2022

HOPE Intl

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A 13-year-old’s brilliant business idea

At 13, Eric Jeche values going to school with other students in his neighborhood in Zimbabwe. Unlike many of his peers, Eric pays for his own education.  

Eric has lived with his grandmother since he lost his parents at a young age. But it’s not easy for his grandmother to pay for his school fees on top of their food, clothing, and other daily expenses, so Eric understands the value of money and work.

Before joining a savings group, he took whatever odd jobs he could find around his neighborhood. 

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HOPE Intl

Dec 1 2022

HOPE Intl

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Material and spiritual transformation: Lina’s story 

Lina Feria never imagined that her small business selling homemade snacks could grow into a flourishing general store. Yet her story testifies that God can use small loans and persistence to transform a business and a whole family. 

Building a business brick by brick 

When Lina first decided to become a member of The Center for Community Transformation (CCT), HOPE International’s partner in the Philippines, she was selling traditional rice cake snacks (called kakanin) that she made at home. 

Although she was not a Christian then, Lina joined CCT because she was curious about their Bible studies. As she got to know staff members and read the Word, she slowly began to learn more about God and eventually gave her life to Him.   Continue Reading…

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