Children's HopeChest

Results: All stats below from the 2017 Annual Report: -15,829 letters sent from sponsored children to their sponsors -763 people traveling on 83 partner visits over the year -the growth of 12 new partnerships, reaching 125 partnerships in total In Uganda, 49 students graduated from our CarePoints and received start-up tools and 374 children/families benefited from animal husbandry projects that started in 2017. In Eswatini 11 students graduated the Swazi Leadership Academy and 188 children graduated the grief counseling course, Ngesikhatsi. In Guatemala 500 individuals benefited from a medical clinic at Colegio Israel CarePoint and sponsored children in Guatemala exceeded over 2,000 children. In Russia 376 individuals participanted in the Mentorship Program and 44 women in the Young Mothers Program received social, psychological, juridical, medical, and humanitarian aid. Some of the income-generating activities that flourished in Ethiopia in 2017 included petty trade, water kiosks and water points, shoe making, tailoring, injera making and selling, coffee barista training, animal husbandry, donkey cart (transporting large items), grain mill, apple orchard, and savings and loan associations.

Target demographics: Children's HopeChest ignites hope and dignity in some of the world's most impoverished and vulnerable communities through unique Community-to-Community partnerships. Our approach transforms the lives of vulnerable children and their communities through partnerships (North American communities and overseas communities) that focus on sustainability, independence, and long-term self-sufficiency.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 34,000

Geographic areas served: Russia, Moldova, India, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Guatemala

Programs: HopeChest's goal is to move individuals and communities from surviving to thriving and succeeding. CRITICAL NEEDS The programs offered at each CarePoint include nutritional support, basic medical care, emotional support and discipleship, and educational support (such as tutoring, homework help, and covered school fees). VOCATIONAL AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING HopeChest aims to equip vulnerable children and youth with skills that will help them thrive in life. These vocational and skills training programs around the globe include (but are not limited to) ESL, computer training, agricultural programs, animal husbandry programs, carpentry, welding, baking, hair dressing, petty trade, and tailoring. LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS HopeChest also supports leadership training programs for older youth. Some of our ministry’s most successful programs are the leadership programs in Eswatini and Uganda, which are not only changing the lives of the youth who attend the programs, but their entire communities as well. The leadership programs empower individuals over two to three years with skills and practices that can empower them to become transformative and service-oriented leaders within their communities. EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS Employment programs and job-seeking support exists in nearly each one of our CarePoints and Ministry Centers. In these programs, young adults receive assistance in identifying jobs they are suited for, applying for the job, interview practice, and also learn how to build confidence and grow in a position of employment. COUNSELING PROGRAMS Many of the children we serve have survived emotional trauma and loss. HopeChest aims to support their emotional healing and growth through grief counseling programs and emotional support programs. Many of HopeChest CarePoints and Ministry Centers also have counselors and social workers on staff to help support the children in the community. SUPPORT FOR GUARDIANS HopeChest transforms lives by creating business opportunities for the guardians of children in HopeChest programs, allowing hope to flourish, potential to be realized, and dignity to be restored to parents by providing the ability for them to care for their children. Some of these programs include (but are not limited to) small business loans, barista training, tailoring, weaving, and mushroom growing.