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!
It’s Giving Tuesday! We are inspired year after year by the contagious generosity shown by so many on this day. In a similar spirit as the past few years, we have once again curated an intentional list of incredible organizations who share a similar Kingdom-minded approach to serving people living in poverty.
When men and women are equipped and empowered through HOPE services—discipleship, training, a safe place to save, and loans—the impact ripples beyond them. Any one of these services can be the catalyst to change a whole family’s life, affecting everyone in the household, even—or especially—the children.
The domino effect is easy to follow: When parents have consistent income, they can provide their children with secure and stable housing, consistent nutritious meals, and pay for their ongoing education. With savings for emergencies, parents also become more resilient to crises and less vulnerable to traffickers and loan sharks who would exploit them in a moment of desperation.
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…
“In 2017, when I joined HOPE Congo, I faced some challenges. One of them was the absence of insurance for my taxi. … My vehicle was in poor condition, with an engine problem,” reflects Barrot Nzingoula.
In the Republic of Congo, owning a reliable vehicle for a taxi business is often considered a promising way to move out of poverty. And the industry is growing quickly. By 2029, the number of individuals working in this business is expected to increase. But Barrot’s prospects didn’t seem so promising: “The future seemed bleak.”
It’s 5 a.m. and the aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air. Telma is delivering French bread, sweet bread, and campechanas (pastries) to her customers’ homes before opening her shop. She feels blessed to have a physical place to sell her baked goods in her community in Guatemala.
As a single mother, Telma struggled with the burden of providing for her children, especially their education. Her bakery has been vital to the family’s well-being, but it was a challenge to increase her production and sales.
Telma found the support and financial services she needed through a microfinance group with Fundación de Asistencia para la Pequeña Empresa (FAPE), a Christ-centered microfinance institution in Guatemala. Continue Reading…
