#GivingTuesday: 5 Ways That Your Giving Can Ignite Hope

Welcome to the global celebration of generosity on Giving Tuesday, today, November 28, 2023! As we emerge from the whirlwind of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday takes center stage—a day devoted to making a positive impact on the lives of others. At Children’s HopeChest, your generous support is the driving force behind our mission. Our CarePoints are situated in some of the most impoverished communities, and in this blog, we will explore five impactful ways your giving ignites hope in the world through five unique stories!

1 ) Educational Tools

Meet Joyce, a 25-year-old beneficiary of Children’s HopeChest. Coming from a vulnerable family, Joyce faced financial challenges, and her parents earned a living through rock quarrying. Despite the hardships, Joyce pursued her passion for helping others and completed a nursing course last year with the support of Ogoloi CarePoint. Driven by her desire to serve, Joyce chose nursing with the goal of making a positive impact on many lives. Her parents, members of a VSLA (Village Savings and Loan Association) group in Ogoloi, supported Joyce by securing a loan from the VSLA after she completed her course. With this financial assistance, Joyce started a drug shop in a nearby village in Ogoloi! Looking ahead, Joyce envisions expanding her drug shop into a clinic to provide medical services to more people. Expressing her gratitude, Joyce said, “I am so thankful to my sponsor who supported me to become who I am today. My parents couldn’t afford the costs of nursing school, but because of my sponsor’s support, I am now a professional nurse—the first nurse in our whole clan. As I graduate from the CarePoint, I will forever be grateful to Children’s HopeChest for helping me achieve my dream.”

On this #GivingTuesday, your generous gift has the power to transform lives, just like Joyce’s. Your donation can help young people overcome financial barriers, enabling them to access education and training that opens doors to new opportunities. Whether it’s funding scholarships, vocational programs, or community development projects, your contribution paves the way for individuals like Joyce to build a brighter future!

2) Essential Healthcare

Meet Tewodros, a 17-year-old student from Shashemene Wondober CarePoint in Ethiopia. Three years ago, he faced a challenge when he lost his front tooth due to a stone thrown by other children while he was walking home from school. The injury caused an infection, but thanks to his CarePoint, Tewodros was able to see a dentist who took care of his injured tooth. The dentist assured him that he would receive a new tooth when he turned 17. Fast forward to today, and Tewodros is celebrating his beautiful smile’s comeback. Expressing his gratitude, Tewodros said, “I used to feel ashamed of my tooth after the accident, but now I can smile whenever and wherever I want to. This is all because of the CarePoint and the sponsor community. Thank you!”

3) Financial Empowerment

Meet Florence, a guardian at Ogoloi CarePoint in Uganda and a member of a VSLA group. Before joining the VSLA group, Florence relied solely on small-scale subsistence farming, which struggled due to unpredictable weather changes. This led to financial difficulties, with Florence going for nearly a month without any money in her pocket. However, after joining the VSLA group and undergoing training, Florence gained valuable insights into managing loans. Empowered with this knowledge, Florence started a business, which has flourished and significantly improved her financial situation. Now, Florence can provide all the basic needs for her family. Recently, when her child enrolled in boarding school, Florence was able to afford all the required scholastic materials and even provide pocket money. Grateful for the support, Florence continues to save in the VSLA group, ensuring ongoing financial stability for her family. She expresses deep gratitude, saying, “Every day I pray for Ogoloi CarePoint because without it, I don’t think my family would manage to survive the prolonged drought our community faced.”

4) Community Building

In early September, Kostroma CarePoint in Russia organized a special three-day program called “City of Friends” for orphans who are first-year students at local vocational schools or junior colleges. The program welcomed students from five different schools, fostering connections among those who had just arrived in Kostroma for school. Over the course of the program, 22 students engaged in various activities, including exploring the historical aspects of Kostroma, participating in informative sessions on health and safety, and even experiencing a hands-on gardening program. Through these activities, the young adults not only learned about their new town but also had the opportunity to meet, make friends, and communicate with each other. The program played a crucial role in helping the first-year students realize that they had a supportive community in their new environment. The orientation program was a success, as expressed by Andrey from Vokhma, who said, “I made many friends, learned how to get around the new town, and the discussions led by the staff meant a lot to me. I am grateful to everyone who made this program possible!” Your #GivingTuesday gift can help sustain and expand these crucial community-building programs, ensuring that more young individuals find support, friendship, and guidance as they navigate through important phases of their lives.

5) Sharing the Love of Jesus

Finally, in the spirit of #GivingTuesday, your generous gift contributes to a profound mission—sharing the boundless love of Jesus. At Children’s HopeChest, your support empowers children and their families to embrace the Gospel and engage in meaningful discipleship. Our CarePoints are places where children and their guardians encounter the transformative love of Jesus, deepening their understanding through Bible studies, mentorship programs, and more. This is a space where young hearts learn about their unique identity and step into the full potential that God has lovingly designed for each of them. Your generous support is key to making this possible, allowing us to continue fostering a nurturing environment of spiritual growth and empowerment!

Thank you for being a beacon of light and compassion in the lives of the children, families, and communities that we partner with. As we celebrate #GivingTuesday, let’s reflect on the profound impact our collective generosity can have on the lives of vulnerable children and families. Your support has a powerful ripple effect, spreading hope, dignity, and empowerment, and breaking cycles of poverty. Please consider joining us in the global celebration of generosity for Giving Tuesday with a meaningful donation that continues the cycle of hope.