Our HopeChest Partnership Leaders are passionate about God’s call to care for the vulnerable and orphaned. They work tirelessly overseeing sponsorship, engaging sponsors and aiding in the deepening of relationship between the sponsoring community and the CarePoint they serve.
Today we are very excited to introduce you to Danielle Brower, Partnership Leader for the Bheveni CarePoint in Swaziland.
1. How did you become engaged with Children’s HopeChest?
In 2009, my husband Mike & I read a book about Swaziland & the orphan crisis, which led us to begin sponsoring a young girl so she could have life’s most basic needs afforded to her. Not too long afterwards I was given the opportunity to coordinate sponsorships for the community our sponsored child was growing up in. It’s been a wild, amazing & faith-building ride!
2. How have you seen lives in your community in the US change through traveling or sponsoring a child?
Significantly. I see people wanting to engage, wanting to educate themselves about other cultures & realizing we truly do have the resources to become a better, more conscious global community. I have a greater realization that people really are the same… all over the world. We all long to be loved, to be special to someone. Not knowing how greatly we are valued by our Creator and other people is one of life’s greatest poverties. I think this is why I love HopeChest’s vision so much; building relationship & creating opportunities for love & growth are at the forefront of what we do.
3. What are your dreams and hopes for your CarePoint?
We have BIG dreams! And my dreams are their dreams. We ask our local communities leaders often, “What are YOUR dreams for YOUR community? How can we partner with you to make those dreams a reality.” I have zero desire to come in, take over, and ‘show them a better first-world way of doing things.’ Just no. Thanks to funds raised during Change Their Story, a new multi-purpose building is currently being built for & by the community. Along with that safe building will come electricity & bigger classroom space. These ‘things’ are creating possibilities for the community & helping the children realize their own potential. It’s a beautiful thing to see & hear the kids dreaming about their own futures – and having HOPE that they can lift themselves out of poverty.
4. If you were auditioning for The Voice, what song would you choose and who would you want to be your coach?
I should probably say, ‘Oceans’, right? But my song would have to be the Whitney Houston version of ‘The Star Spangled Banner’. Hands down. It gives me chills & makes me so grateful. As far as a coach, why is this even a question? Adam Oh-la-la Levine. Duh.
5. Tell us your about your favorite moment traveling to your CarePoint for the first time.
My favorite moment was when we got to meet our friend, Siphiwe, whom we had been corresponding with for over a year. She was no longer a picture on our fridge. She had skin. Depth. Personality. And an immense love for the Lord. We found out some of her story and I’ll just say her life was anything but easy or simple. Yet, she spoke with such grace & kindness. I feel this same way every time we’ve met her since, so completely honored to know her & be able to part a small part of her life. Only God could’ve orchestrated it.
6. What’s the biggest challenge you face as a HopeChest Partnership Leader?
Finding the balance between keeping our US community engaged (because we are an online connect community only). I don’t want to post too much as to become white noise, but enough to remind them how valuable their relationships & prayers are to children at the Bheveni Community in Swaziland, and what a truly eternal difference they are making.
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If you are interested in learning more about how you can get your community or church involved with Children’s HopeChest visit our Community-to-Community page.
