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HOPE Intl

Jul 30 2025

HOPE Intl

 News
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Sierra Leone: “The savings group ministry has come at just the right time.”

In 2011, local church-planting teams in Sierra Leone began partnering with GAiN Canada and the JESUS Film Church Planting Strategy (JFCPS), with a vision to share the Good News of Jesus with their neighbors. In the 14 years since, these efforts have resulted in over 1,000 churches being started. Praise God!

Now, at HOPE International, we’re excited to be invited into the incredible work God has been doing in Sierra Leone by partnering with local churches and equipping them with our savings group model so they can better serve their communities. Continue Reading…

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HOPE Intl

Jun 9 2025

HOPE Intl

 Stories we love
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How savings groups are making a difference in Zimbabwe

For years, Tafadzwa and Jocelyne Gutu and their two daughters lived in a half-built house in Harare, Zimbabwe. Tafadzwa, a skilled carpenter, was constructing their home—but he couldn’t get enough business to afford the materials he needed to complete the project.

Both Tafadzwa and his wife are deaf, so his clientele was limited to those who knew sign language. The couple struggled to cover food costs, medical bills, and school fees for their family. Finishing their home seemed like a far-off dream.

In 2023, a local church invited Tafadzwa and other neighbors with speech or hearing disabilities to join a savings group called Miracle.

As they prayed, read Scripture, and saved together, God did wonders in Tafadzwa’s life.

Continue Reading…

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HOPE Intl

Apr 9 2025

HOPE Intl

 News
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Data from Rwandan savings groups shows strong impact

It’s been 17 years since HOPE International began partnering with churches in Rwanda to bring savings groups to families living in poverty. Over that time, we’ve partnered with more than 2,900 churches to serve more than 720,000 savings group members!  We thank God for the opportunity to serve so many men and women with our Rwandan church partners.

At the same time, we know the need is still great. Today, of the 13 million people in Rwanda, 40% of the population still lives on less than $2.90 a day (World Bank). 

To better reach more families and ensure we’re serving our current savings group members well, we regularly sit down with people we serve to hear from them. In 2022, we interviewed 312 savings group members served by HOPE Rwanda—and the results were encouraging!   Continue Reading…

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HOPE Intl

Dec 23 2024

HOPE Intl

 News Stories we love
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Top 5 stories of 2024

There’s so much we’re grateful for as we reflect on 2024. From bringing more hearts to saving faith to empowering Ukrainian IDPs and members of Zimbabwe’s isolated Doma community, God has done incredible things across the HOPE International network.

Of the stories we shared last year, the HOPE community loved these five the most. May these top five stories of 2024 encourage you today—and prompt you to praise God for all He’s done!

Continue Reading…

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HOPE Intl

Nov 26 2024

HOPE Intl

 Staff / Travels
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What my 3-year-old taught me about helping people in poverty

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…

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HOPE Intl

Sep 5 2024

HOPE Intl

 Photos / Media
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Celebrated photographer captures dreams on camera

Over the course of his career, Jeremy Cowart has garnered recognition for his compelling portraits of celebrities like Taylor Swift, Sting, Kelly Clarkson, and Lauren Daigle. He’s shot campaigns for companies like Nike and Fortune Magazine.

But for Jeremy, his craft isn’t about prestige or accolades—it’s about storytelling. And he believes everyone’s story matters.

In 2024, Jeremy traveled with HOPE International to Rwanda, where he got to meet the members of Urumuri (“light”) savings group. During their time together, group members drew the dreams they have for themselves and their families. Jeremy captured the moment—and the look of joy and pride on each member’s face.

This fall, HOPE will feature a curated gallery of Jeremy’s portraits at events held across the United States. For now, here’s a peek at some of the images featured in the show—and some of the dreams that men and women in Rwanda are holding onto for their future: Continue Reading…

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