General Report 2014-P7NoMarks

TWO WORDS WE HEAR A LOT

(That Are Really Intended For You)

We hear it constantly…two simple words: Thank You. We hear it from CarePoint
leaders, children and their families, and from entire communities. The gratitude
of the people we work with is sincere and it is really intended for you. That’s why
we are pleased to offer you this report that we hope provides an encouraging
look into some of the areas of ministry where your support is affecting lives and
changing communities throughout the world. Your generosity is truly valuable
and appreciated. On behalf of all those touched by your kindness and served by
Children’s HopeChest, we extend two simple words…Thank You.

MINISTRY IMPACT REPORT “The resources you have provided are
crucial for our ministry’s success.
Transforming lives and Because of your sponsorship, we
communities through extended medical treatment, food,
partnerships. pure water, school uniforms, education
supplies, discipleship, and life skills
support to thousands of children.”

Tesfa Tsegaye
HopeChest Ethiopia Country Director

hopechest.org

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS

As HopeChest endeavors to serve the whole person – physical, vocational,
emotional, and spiritual – our CarePoints are a vital resource for thousands of
children. In addition, the greater beauty of our involvement is how the impact
reaches into families and whole communities. CarePoints become planters of
hope and the catalyst for community-wide transformation.

As valued supporters of this ministry, we want to share with you a glimpse of the
inspiring transformation happening in communities around the world.

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS

As valued supporters of this
ministry, we want to share
with you a glimpse of the
inspiring transformation
happening in communities
around the world.

UGANDA

hopechest.org While each of the 15 CarePoints in Uganda is unique to its own community, all
of our locations offer children three primary components: food, education, and
discipleship. These three elements are beautifully interconnected and the ripple
effect is far reaching – nutritious meals lead to healthier children. Healthy chil-
dren perform better in school. Educated children who experience success set
goals, make better life choices, and are motivated to grow in spiritual and emo-
tional maturity.

We had a record-setting year with school attendance, higher performance
and lower dropout rates. This year, we held a Transformational Development
Training for our Ugandan Staff, and our local CarePoint staff attended a 10 - day
workshop for equipping leaders. More of our locations are now set up for voca-
tional training and income generating activities. In fact, we had 14 kids graduate
from a tailoring course, who are now equipped with successful employment
skills. For Development Projects at our CarePoints, 2014 saw new water holes
drilled, a poultry farm producing hundreds of eggs per week, and fences put up
for additional security.

UGANDA | STORIES FROM THE FIELD

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS:
UGANDA

Stories are being
transformed.

PETER | FOLLOW UP STORY
When Peter, now 22, was first registered at Oditel CarePoint three years ago,
we reported his need for medical tests and treatments for cancer and how
HopeChest was there to provide the necessary funding. Peter continues to get
yearly treatments, and this April he received the great news that he is still
cancer-free! Pursuing his goal to build houses, he is studying at a vocational
school to learn brick-laying and concrete.

SARAH AND JOSEPHINE
Fourteen-year-old twin sisters, Sarah
and Josephine, lost their father to HIV
before they were old enough to re-
member him. This year, they lost their
mother to HIV, too – double orphans.
Their married brother took them in for
a short time, but his wife was not
supportive of caring for them. Thank-
fully, the Bukedea CarePoint helped
place them in a boarding school where
they now have access to food, shelter,
and education. The CarePoint
provided two goats to breed and sell
the offspring and they are hoping to
earn enough money to buy a cow.

hopechest.org

UGANDA | CAREPOINT HIGHLIGHTS

2,170 Ugandan students received support to attend
school including fees and supplies. With improved
attendance and academic performance, more
children are advancing to secondary level and
dropout rates have fallen to new lows.

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS: Local staff attended a 10-day intensive workshop
UGANDA designed to equip leaders for strategic ministry,
personal discipline, and growth.
Uganda had a record setting
year with school attendance,

higher performance and
lower dropout rates.

16 staff attended Transformational Development
Training led by Steve Voyen, HopeChest’s Program
Director who challenged participants to form a
healthy approach to child and community
development.

14 tailoring students from Wera and Kaberamaido
graduated from a vocational training program and
are well-equipped to live as faithful, productive and
independent adults with employable skills.

hopechest.org Over 340 teens, representing nearly every
CarePoint, attended a Christian youth conference
facilitated by local HopeChest staff and pastors.
Key topics included purposeful living, making good
choices, achieving healthy success, and living
creative and productive lives. At the end of the
conference, 100 students made a commitment to
follow Christ.

SWAZILAND | STORIES FROM THE FIELD

NEW TRACTOR PRODUCES MORE THAN JUST CROPS
Swaziland CarePoint Communities Thriving

With the gift of a new tractor, four CarePoints, 21 homesteads and surrounding
communities have enjoyed bountiful crops of cabbage, maize, and beans along
with new sources of income and nutrition. Fresh crops of tomatoes and straw-
berries are being grown in four newly constructed CarePoint greenhouses.

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS: Beyond increasing crops, one tractor is also generating an encouraging surge
SWAZILAND of community support and involvement in HopeChest’s programs. Swazi staff
members report a new sense of participation and ownership among the local
community members, a promising step towards increased sustainability and
long-term success.

With the gift of a new
tractor, four CarePoints,

21 homesteads and
surrounding communities

have enjoyed bountiful
crops.

“I registered to use a government tractor but there were no signs of it
showing up. But with the new tractor, HopeChest brought back
my hope.”
- Mduduzi, local farmer

“Now we are able to feed ourselves and we are grateful to God.”

- Gogo Ngwenya, local farmer

hopechest.org

SWAZILAND| CAREPOINT HIGHLIGHTS

Ministry in Swaziland is thriving with 30 CarePoints serving nearly 6,000 children.
CarePoints are safe places where orphaned and vulnerable children experience
the warmth of God’s love and the care of loving people. From the very young to
adults in the community, countless lives are being touched by HopeCHest
activities and innovative staff and young leaders throughout the nation.

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS:
SWAZILAND

Ministry in Swaziland is INVESTING IN TOMORROW’S LEADERS
thriving with 30
Swaziland Leadership Academy (SLA) is an intensive 3-year program focused on
CarePoints serving empowering a select group of SLA students to be godly, servant-hearted leaders
nearly 6,000 children. and agents of change in their local communities. Currently in its third year, SLA
promotes academic excellence and community involvement; already, many SLA
students have assumed leadership roles in their churches and are pioneering
creative initiatives such as discipleship groups, clubs, and entrepreneurial ven-
tures.

Due to the nature of the SLA training, only 12 participants are enrolled each year,
but with ongoing financial resources, SLA can extend its reach to all 30 Care-
Points and raise up a strong generation of leaders.

In partnership with other organizations, SLA students have had opportunities to
attend various workshops and conferences:

• 41 students representing many CarePoints joined over 1,000 Swazi youth at
the Young Climber’s Success Summit at Manzini Nazarene College. This year’s
theme was “Awakening the Giant in You” which inspired participants to set
goals, work hard, and pursue their God-given dreams.

• Facing UP Support Services trained the SLA students to facilitate grief coun-
seling with children learning to overcome painful circumstances and family
histories.

• Christ’s Hope International offers a biblically-based abstinence education
program called “Choose to Wait.” Participants are challenged to help break
the cycle of the HIV/AIDS pandemic by making healthy, wise decisions in their
personal life.

hopechest.org • International Sports Leadership Training (ISLT) is a tool by which we develop
young people through athletics. ISLT also equips the students with creative
games and exercises to share with younger children they are discipling.

ETHIOPIA

With 33 CarePoints serving 4,320 children, HopeChest Ethiopia will be able to ex-
pand its reach even more thanks to a revised operational license. We were able
to reach 800 additional children this year as we are experiencing great growth in
Ethiopia.

Some of the development projects that were implemented in 2014 are a new
block of school classrooms, renovation of children’s homes in the Merkato area,
and beginning a great Water Point and Water Kiosk Program for widows and
guardians to sell clean water and to market their goods to earn a sustainable
income.

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS:
ETHIOPIA

With 33 CarePoints serving
4,320 children, HopeChest

Ethiopia will be able to
expand its reach even more

thanks to a revised
operational license.

“My commitment is to keep the focus
on our purpose of existence: ‘Glorify
God by releasing the potential of many
orphaned and vulnerable children
and their communities through holis-
tic transformation and sustainability.’
And I want our country office and the
staff to be known by their integrity and
teamwork. I want HopeChest ET to be
known as the best performing and
impactful organization in Ethiopia.”

Tesfa Tsegaye
HopeChest Ethiopia Country Director

hopechest.org

ETHIOPIA | STORIES FROM THE FIELD

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Equipping Young People for the Future

HopeChest’s Youth Development Program (YDP) offers highly vulnerable
orphaned young people a safe home, food, clothing, and medical care with a
strong focus on life skills and vocational training to equip and empower them as
they enter adulthood.

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS: Aging out of the governmental orphanage, Abeba Alemu could have turned to a
ETHIOPIA life on the streets. Instead, she enrolled with HopeChest Ethiopia’s Youth
Development Program and today, at 23 years old, she is employed at the
HopeChest Ethiopia office.

hopechest.org “My name is Abeba and I was born in 1992 in the northern part of
Ethiopia. My mother died when I was a little girl and I never knew my
father. Life was very difficult for me. I lived in an orphanage, but I could
only stay there until I was 16. It was a challenging and uncertain time
of my life, but God prepared another opportunity, Youth Development
Program (YDP) which is designed to support young girls and boys like
me and to give us hope. Not only did YDP provide me with all my basic
needs but also helped me to lead an independent life. I trained as a chef
at one of the recognized hotel and tourism institutes and graduated in
August 2014. I am so thankful for HopeChest and all of the supporters
for the love they have shown for me.”

GUATEMALA

We are so excited about the new partnerships that have happened in 2014
in Guatemala. From successful Vision Trips to incredible programs producing
income and sustainability, HopeChest is excited about the strong possibilities we
have there! With over 400 kids involved in our programs, and 16 CarePoints, we
are excited for the road ahead.

Teens Contribute to CarePoint Success and Reap Rewards

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS: Increased avocado production at Hope and Future Orphanage has created
GUATEMALA opportunities for students to learn about farming and harvesting as well as
some basic business skills. By selling avocados, they will buy hens for egg
production and sell the surplus eggs – a small enterprise that is teaching big
lessons about responsibility and the rewards of hard work.

With over 400 kids involved
in our programs in
Guatemala, and 16

CarePoints, we are excited
for the road ahead.

hopechest.org

RUSSIA

SLOBODSKOY ORPHANAGE
At Slobodskoy Orphanage, mentoring is considered one of the most effective
influences in a young person’s life. Mentors are sponsors, social workers, teach-
ers, or even graduated orphans – someone who inspires, supports, and cares
for young people who haven’t had a family support system. At Slobodskoy, older
orphans have opportunities for community service and outreach to develop
leadership skills as they transition out of the orphanage.

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS: KIROV MINISTRY CENTER (KMC)
RUSSIA Kirov Ministry Center received a gift of 2 sewing machines and other sewing
supplies from a sponsor who visited and recognized the talent potential in many
A newly formed “Young of the students. With help from a sewing instructor, students are making
Mothers” program at the clothing, dresses for special events, and costumes for theatrical events.
Ryazan Ministry Center has
provided financial, social and The Kirov Ministry Center serves as a “home away from home” for older
psychological support to five orphaned youth. By age 16, most orphaned children are forced out of the
young mothers with children system and sent to cities to live on their own. The KMC provides safety and
protection that dormitories cannot. Additionally, it is a place to build healthy re-
under three years old. lationships and experience the ongoing support of a family – a safe place where
orphaned children can belong and have a place to call home in keeping with
HopeChest values. Ministry Center programs are designed to reach the whole
person – spiritually, emotionally, physically, medically and practically.

LOVING YOUNG MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES
Our “Young Mothers” program at the Ryazan Ministry Center has provided
financial, social and psychological support to five young mothers with children
under three years old. Here these young mothers who grew up without parents
of their own are learning how to love and care for their little ones and ensuring
that the cycle of orphanhood ends.

“Besides the direct impact on the orphanage and the children,
HopeChest programs set the example for the community not to give up
on the orphans especially those with special needs. HopeChest motivates
the community members to also get involved in the children’s lives which
transforms their lives in return.” - Svetlana Estrina, Sponsorship
Coordinator, Kirov region

hopechest.org

THE JOEL HOME | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

ENCOURAGING RESPONSIBLE ADULTHOOD
With limited healthy survival options for at-risk young women entering adult-
hood, especially in light of the disturbing rise of human trafficking locally and
worldwide, The Joel Home in Colorado Springs, CO has transitioned one of our
young men’s homes into a home for vulnerable young women. Four women will
have a nurturing, safe haven where they are cared for, loved, and supported by
full-time, live-in resident advisors and mentors. Here they learn independent liv-
ing skills and have an opportunity for a fresh start as they launch into adulthood.

COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS: MEET JESSE
JOEL HOME Jesse entered The Joel Home knowing he was
HAITI going to be a dad. Determined to rewrite his
INDIA legacy and be the kind of father he wished
he had, Jesse attended fathering classes and
a weekly Bible study with his girlfriend, Tori.
Now engaged, Jesse and Tori are in Christian
counseling and The Joel Home has been able
to celebrate their daughter’s birth and sup-
port them on this new leg of their journey.

HAITI

CONNECTING HEARTS
In August, a team of 11 sponsors from Minnesota spent a week with the children
of Fontamara CarePoint. The sponsors and children enjoyed playing games,
reading Bible stories, and sharing meals together. Pastor Jean Claude at the Care-
Point asked for prayer for the health of the children and their guardians and that
the children would love and respect one another.

“My name is Nerjuste Agla Menson, I am eleven years old. Last summer I
felt very happy because I spent time with my sponsors. We played soccer
together, we took pictures and videos, and we ate together. That was one
of my best summer vacations ever.”

INDIA

ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH EDUCATION
Surviving on less than $1 a day, Tamilarsi’s parents, both illiterate, are grateful
that their daughter can attend school. Thanks to HopeChest, Tamilarsi enrolled
in school as a preschooler and today she is in 11th grade; she dreams of continu-
ing her education and becoming a nurse. Last year, Tamilarsi met her sponsor,
Susan, who visited during a Sponsor Trip to India.

hopechest.org

FIRST GLOBAL PARTNERS CONFERENCE

In April, Country Directors and nearly 100 sponsors gathered in Colorado Springs
to celebrate HopeChest’s 20th anniversary at our first-ever Global Partners
Conference: Deeply Rooted. Together we reflected on all God has done,
celebrating two decades of ministry and looking ahead to the future brimming
with opportunity.

FIRST GLOBAL
PARTNERS

CONFERENCE

In April, Country Directors and
nearly 100 sponsors gathered

in Colorado Springs.

hopechest.org “We are small but what we have ac-
complished in just a few years is so big.
We dream of breaking this cycle [gangs,
violence, drugs] to help children follow
Jesus and develop a desire to give back
to their community. We plant seeds of
hope for the children who will grow
up to learn new skills, start new busi-
nesses, and teach the next generation
the same. Tomorrow’s harvest is being
planted today.”

Nestor Morales
Guatemala social worker