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Discover Opportunities to Make a Deeper Impact
Richard Etoju
Richard Etoju’s story is one of incredible perseverance and transformation. Growing up in Akwalakwala village with a single mother and seven siblings, Richard faced severe hardships after his father’s death. The family struggled with poverty, managing only one meal a day, and often couldn’t afford school fees, leading to Richard and his siblings missing school for extended periods.
In 2012, Richard’s life took a turn when he was enrolled in a sponsorship program by Children’s HopeChest. This support allowed him to continue his education and pursue a National Certificate in Welding and Fabrication from Soroti Garments Institute. Excelling in his course, Richard secured a job in Soroti City and eventually became an entrepreneur. He established a thriving motorcycle repair and accessories business and an agro-chemical enterprise, employing local youth and supporting his family financially.
Today, Richard is not only able to meet his family’s basic needs but also supports his brother’s education. Grateful for the support from Children’s HopeChest, Richard acknowledges that their help was crucial in overcoming his challenges and achieving his dreams.
Alice Ayado
Alice Ayado’s journey is a remarkable tale of resilience and success. Growing up with seven siblings and a single mother who had no steady income, Alice struggled to meet basic needs like food, clothing, and, most critically, education. Despite these challenges, Alice’s life took a positive turn in 2012 when she joined the sponsorship program by CarePoint.
With the educational support from CarePoint, Alice was able to complete her primary and secondary education. After her senior four, she pursued a course in fashion and design at Bedigen Tailoring & Events Management Institute. In 2023, Alice graduated as the top student in her class. Her outstanding performance and strong character earned her a position as the chief instructor at the same institute, with a monthly salary of $115.
Now able to afford her basic needs, Alice is filled with joy and plans to open her own training workshop. She is profoundly grateful to CarePoint for the support that helped her transform her life and achieve her dreams.
Ayneabeba (Ayni) Maru
My name is Ayneabeba Maru, but you can call me Ayni. I lead I Care for the Nation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable groups, especially women and children, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Our focus is sustainable development. We’ve been fortunate to provide holistic care for hundreds of women and children through psychological and economic development programs. We also offer job training for unemployed youth, increasing their chances of finding work. Beyond direct support, I Care for the Nation advocates for positive change on a national level. We participate in policymaking to improve the well-being of women, girls, and children. Additionally, we raise awareness about family values and celebrate mothers and women through special events.
The most significant impact we’ve seen is the emotional well-being of women and children. By helping them feel safe and supported, we empower them to plan for a brighter future. This newfound confidence allows them to overcome obstacles and improve their quality of life. We have numerous success stories that showcase the positive change we bring to the community, documented in partnership with HopeChest.
Looking ahead, I Care for the Nation has ambitious goals. We aim to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV) and poverty. To achieve this, we’re launching “Let My Sister Learn,” a nationwide initiative advocating for girls’ education. Educated women play a vital role in peace building and poverty reduction.
Richard Etoju
Growing up with a single mother, Richard Etoju faced severe hardships after his father’s death. His family struggled with poverty, managing only one meal a day, and often couldn’t afford school fees.
In 2012, Richard joined the sponsorship program at Kaberamaido CarePoint. This support allowed him to continue his education and pursue a National Certificate in Welding and Fabrication. Excelling in his course, Richard secured a job in Soroti City and eventually became an entrepreneur!
He established a thriving motorcycle repair and accessories business, employing local youth and supporting his family financially. Today, Richard is not only able to meet his family’s basic needs but also supports his brother’s education!
Alice Ayado
Raised by a single mother who had no steady income, Alice Ayado struggled to meet basic needs like food, clothing, and, most critically, education. Alice’s life took a positive turn in 2012 when she joined HopeChest’s sponsorship program.
With the educational support from CarePoint, Alice was able to complete her primary and secondary education. After her senior four, she pursued a course in fashion and design at Bedigen Tailoring & Events Management Institute. In 2023, Alice graduated as the top student in her class! Her outstanding performance and strong character earned her a position as the chief instructor at the same institute. Alice is filled with joy and plans to open her own training workshop to help other women in her shoes.
Isaac Okwang
Isaac Okwang is a dedicated Community Relationship Manager for Children’s HopeChest Uganda. In his role, Isaac works closely with a variety of CarePoints and U.S. partners, ensuring that each community receives the support and resources they need to thrive.
He has a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within each community, and his work is integral to fostering meaningful and impactful relationships.
He frequently visits CarePoints to meet with leaders, children, and also works collaboratively with U.S. partners. Isaac’s expertise and passion for community development have made him a trusted and respected figure within HopeChest Uganda.
