Project: Hope Worldwide Somali-land
About HOPE Worldwide
|
Work portfolio
|
HOPE worldwide’s vision is to bring hope and change the lives of the world’s most poor, sick and suffering.
HOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy. History HOPE worldwide was founded in 1991 in response to the call of the Scriptures to serve the poor, sick and suffering throughout the world. The organization began with just three small programs dedicated to bringing hope to vulnerable communities. In Abidjan, Ivory Coast, HOPE worldwide established an HIV/AIDS clinic to meet the critical health needs of a country plagued with disease. A medical clinic in Mexico City, Mexico provided treatment for children without access to quality healthcare. Children were also the focus of educational outreach programs in Bangalore, India. In collaboration with the International Churches of Christ, HOPE worldwide quickly expanded its reach, building relationships with partner organizations and mobilizing thousands of volunteers. While maintaining its Biblical foundation, HOPE worldwide was compelled to find new and innovative ways to fight poverty, respond to disasters and foster a culture of volunteerism. Today, HOPE worldwide serves more than 1.5 million people annually on every inhabited continent.
|
My experienceIn 2002 I got the opportunity to help the poor in a place very few will ever have the privilege to experience. Somali-land was the place that changed my course of thinking. Life was not only about me and what I can get out of it. There was a whole world out there suffering. The selfish ambitions I had prior, was reversed into selfless ambitions. The dream was born to help others through aid and relief work. Later when I studied Development, I realized that sustainable development was a better option.
The working environment was not always favorable. Working with abandoned children in an orphanage with extremely poor sanitation, facilities and hygiene, was extremely challenging. I experienced great joy however when we were able to remedy some of these problems. The educational playground we built definitely enriched their lives, the clinic and medication, together with a nurse allowed for drastic health improvements, but for the biggest part, giving ourselves and our love and acceptance to these children, after being rejected, made the biggest impact on their lives. 'Somebody cared enough to spend time with me'. The biggest satisfaction comes from the effect that one see ones action had made. |