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God cares deeply about each person living in spiritual and material poverty—and He calls us to love and serve them. Many of you are already responding to that call, but you might also be wondering: How can I help the next generation care about these same things? 

Maybe you have kids, grandkids, nieces, or nephews who love Jesus and love others, but haven’t yet encountered the realities of global poverty. Inviting them into this conversation can feel daunting. How do you share honestly without overwhelming them? 

Questions are a fantastic place to start. They create space for kids to wonder, process, and respond in their own way. 

Here are a few questions to initiate those conversations in everyday moments, whether on a walk, in the car, or around the dinner table.  Continue Reading…

Poverty doesn’t just limit a child’s present—it threatens their future. Around the world, 412 million children are living on less than $3 per day, lacking the essentials they need to grow, learn, and thrive (UNICEF, 2025).  

And poverty’s impact goes far beyond income. Across six things a child needs to thrive—education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation, and water—more than one in five children in low- and middle-income countries are severely deprived of at least two (UNICEF, 2025). 

Yet we know that God cares deeply about kids. So how do we protect them from poverty and provide what they need to lead healthy lives that set them up for bright futures?  

At HOPE International, we’ve seen that one of the best ways to support children living in poverty is empowering their parents. Here’s how investing in mothers and fathers helps them invest in brighter futures for their children and grandchildren. 

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By Bethany Hammond, HOPE International staff member

“Something you want. Something you need. Something to wear. Something to read.” 

It’s begun—the endless chorus of “Mom, can you put this on my Christmas list? And here I am, caught between two worlds. 

In one world, I want my kids to experience the wonder of Christmas: the miracle of Christ’s birth, the glow of lights, the smell of cookies baking, and the magic of traditions that make the season sparkle. 

But in the other world, I feel the weight of frustration. Every message aimed at my kids (and let’s be honest, at me too) insists: “You need more. You deserve more. You’re entitled to more.”

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Children are among the most vulnerable members of any society—but in communities where poverty is present, the stakes are higher. Children are two times more likely than adults to live in extreme poverty. And when kids lack basic needs like food and shelter, it hurts their chances to stay healthy, learn at school, and someday live the lives they dream of (UNICEF). As of 2024, 412 million children are living on less than $3 per day (World Bank).

Yet we know that God cares deeply about kids. The question is, how do we protect them from the impacts of poverty and equip them with what they need to lead healthy, flourishing lives? 

At HOPE International, we believe one of the best ways to care for children living in poverty is to empower their parents. Here’s why investing in mothers and fathers unlocks transformation for their children and future generations.  Continue Reading…

By Alisa Hoober, HOPE Board Member

Earlier this year, I had the incredible opportunity to visit HOPE International’s work in Zambia.

I’ve traveled and seen poverty before, but being with my children changed how I related to those I met. It was a blessing to visit with our whole family, especially with my three young daughters.

At home, we pray for HOPE and support their work—but showing our children HOPE in action was something I won’t forget. Continue Reading…

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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