Typhoons and Earthquakes are unfortunately some of the natural disasters that often befall the Philippines. HOPE worldwide Canada volunteers and donors are always at the ready, eager to send support whenever the Philippine people are in need.
As such, we’ve developed a Philippines Disaster Relief fund in order to provide support when it is needed. Please consider making a donation in preparation for the needs that may arise. All donations $20 and above to HOPE worldwide Canada are issued tax receipts .
For more information regarding Philippines programs that HOPE worldwide Canada supports, please contact john.abet@hopewwcanada.org.
Holly Kennedy-Symonds, a registered nurse, is a volunteer with our Vancouver chapter. She travelled to Nepal in 2019 to serve through HOPE worldwide Volunteer Corp. We asked her a few questions about her volunteer experience and are proud to share the conversation with you.Continue reading “Holly Kennedy-Symonds’ Healing Journey To Nepal”
HOPE worldwide Canada is grateful for its many volunteers, supporters and partners who help us do all that we do in “bringing hope, changing lives” in the many programs we are fortunate to support across Canada and around the world.
During this season of peace and goodwill, we wanted to take this time to wish all of our friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
La grande famille de HOPE worldwide offre, à ceux qui désirent être bénévoles, toute une gamme de moyens de répondre aux besoins des gens de leur propre communauté ou d’ailleurs dans le monde. Sa section internationale compte plusieurs programmes auxquels les jeunes bénévoles de HOPE worldwide Canada peuvent participer pour changer les choses et développer leurs qualités de leader. Parmi ces programmes, on trouve le National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC- Conseil consultatif national des jeunes) qui s’adresse aux élèves du secondaire et du postsecondaire de l’Amérique du Nord. Grâce à NYAC, ces jeunes apprennent à donner de la vision et des solutions créatives par des actions centrées sur de solides relations soutenues avec les personnes se trouvant en situation précaire. Inspirés par l’exemple de Jésus, ils ont à cœur les mêmes valeurs qu’ils partagent avec ceux qu’ils servent : les orphelins, ceux qui souffrent de la faim ou de troubles émotifs, les aînés, les malades et les victimes de catastrophes naturelles.
Océane François-Saint-Cyr, 16 ans, membre de HOPE worldwide à Montréal, vient tout juste d’intégrer le programme NYAC. Nous l’avons rencontrée pour mieux la connaître et chercher à savoir ce qui la motive à œuvrer à titre de bénévole.
D’où te vient ta passion pour le service?
Tout d’abord, dès un très jeune âge, j’ai eu plusieurs occasions de participer aux activités de HOPE worldwide en compagnie de mes parents, ce qui m’a connectée aux besoins de ma communauté. Ces occasions m’ont également permis de constater à quel point le temps et l’énergie que nous donnons touchent de façon concrète et durable la vie de ceux que nous aidons. En grandissant, je me suis rendu compte que j’aimais vraiment créer des liens avec les gens et que les occasions de servir me procuraient le cadre idéal pour le faire.
Finalement, lorsque je sers les gens dans le besoin, je me rends compte à quel point Dieu m’a donné une vie riche. Je suis reconnaissante qu’il m’offre des occasions de redonner à mon tour aux moins fortunés de ce monde.
Quel a été le projet qui t’a fait vibrer plus que tout?
Ce fut sans aucun doute le voyage que j’ai fait avec ma famille en Indonésie en 2013 pour aller aider une communauté dans le besoin. Avant notre départ, ma famille et moi avions recueilli des fournitures scolaires, de l’équipement de soccer et des médicaments qui étaient destinés à un groupe d’enfants vivant dans les bidonvilles de Jakarta. Leur quartier avait non seulement été inondé par la mousson, mais deux semaines avant notre arrivée, le même quartier avait aussi été ravagé par un incendie. Nous nous sommes donc joints à HOPE worldwide Jakarta qui participait déjà aux efforts d’aide déployés. J’ai été extrêmement touchée de voir à quel point ces enfants étaient heureux de simplement passer du temps avec nous et de recevoir le peu que nous leur apportions (un ballon de soccer, des cahiers et des sacs à dos). Ils semblaient oublier qu’ils venaient de tout perdre. De plus, ça m’a aidé à comprendre pourquoi le geste de redonner à la communauté ou d’aider quelqu’un n’a pas besoin de coûter de milliers de dollars ni de mobiliser des centaines de bénévoles. Il peut suffire de partager un repas avec quelqu’un, d’offrir un t-shirt ou de tendre la main à quelqu’un.
Qu’est-ce qui t’a incitée à te joindre à NYAC?
J’ai décidé de faire partie de NYAC parce que je savais que ses programmes étaient conçus pour former les étudiants comme moi à diriger de façon efficace et à servir dans leur communauté. J’ai aussi été inspirée à le faire par certains de mes amis qui avaient participé à NYAC auparavant et qui m’avaient dit à quel point ce programme les avait aidés à grandir et à acquérir les habiletés nécessaires à gérer tout type de situation, peu importe le lieu.
Pourquoi as-tu choisi NYAC?
Ce que j’aime de NYAC c’est que, contrairement à d’autres programmes, son but est d’aider les participants à changer la vie des gens de la communauté qu’ils servent. En me concentrant sur ma communauté, j’ai le moyen de toucher ceux dans le besoin non pas seulement le temps de ma visite, mais d’une façon durable. Ainsi, il est plus facile par la suite d’obtenir l’appui de partenaires publics ou privés lorsque les résultats sont tangibles et visibles. J’aime aussi le fait que NYAC s’étend sur toute l’année; il permet ainsi d’offrir aux étudiants le soutien dont ils ont besoin pour servir à long terme de façon plus efficace qu’avec un projet de petite envergure.
Qui est pour toi un modèle inspirant?
J’admire les internes qui dirigent des programmes HOPE Volunteer Corps un peu partout dans le monde. Le travail acharné et tous les efforts de planification dont ils font preuve m’inspirent au plus haut point. Cela prend un vrai cœur de serviteur pour arriver à diriger plusieurs programmes chaque année.
Nous sommes tout aussi enthousiastes qu’Océane face à tout ce que la prochaine année lui apportera. Nous encourageons tous ceux qui sont membres de l’équipe de Montréal à servir aux côtés d’Océane et de HOPE worldwide à Montréal.
Kimberlee Potter of Winnipeg receiving the “HOPE worldwide Volunteer of the Year award” at the HOPE worldwide Global Conference in San Diego. Pictured with Terri Loso (Right), SeniorDirector US Programs, HOPE worldwide
Congratulations to Kimberlee Potter, our Co-Country Director.
At the recent HOPE worldwide Global conference in San Diego, Kimberlee was recognised for her dedication and outstanding volunteer work with the “HOPE worldwide Volunteer of the Year” award. We are excited to share this great news with you.
Kimberlee is passionate about helping others in her community and beyond. Ever since she took on the Chapter Director role in her home city Winnipeg, she has started and led various charitable initiatives, using her talents and gifts to help vulnerable members of her community. She is now a Board member as well as Co-Country Director of HOPE worldwide Canada.
In the last 2 years, Kimberlee created and led a HOPE worldwide Volunteer Corps program in Winnipeg for “At-risk youth, “ based around a Summer Day Camp. This highly successful program aims to provide summer fun and life skills training for children under the ward of Child & Family Services agencies. The city of Winnipeg is home to just over 800,000 people, and yet it has one of the highest rates of children in foster care in the world. During the Summer Day program, children learn life skills such as cooking and working with tools, mentoring on how to build friendships in a fun and loving environment.
Kimberlee’s commitment and volunteer work is an inspiration to all us. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
HOPEworldwide Canada volunteers and supporters are invited to join us again this year as we march at the parade at the2019 Toronto Ukrainian Festivalto raise awareness for the Helping Hand for Ukraine project.
HOPE worldwide Canada volunteers marching in the 2016 parade.
Through this project, Canadians are able to provide financial support to children and parents traumatized by the war in eastern Ukraine. The program is run by HOPE worldwide Ukraineand is now entering Phase III to offer psychological assistance, training for social workers and other humanitarian aid. It has been actively supported and partly funded by HOPE worldwide Canada for the past 5 years.
The Festival starts with a parade of about 1,200 participants, include our own HOPE worldwide Canada participants.
Here are details for the march:
Date: Saturday September 14, 2019.
Time: 10:oo am meet at High Park, at the main entrance on Bloor.
Venue: High Park, Bloor Street. The parade route is from High Park to Jane street along Bloor Street West.
Please SIGN UP and join us at the march by sending an email to Taras Kulish at Taras.Kulish@hopewwcanada.org or text/call (416) 625 7482.
Watch the video below to learn more about HOPE worldwide Canada’s participation at the march in previous years and the Helping Hand for Ukraine project.
If you can’t make it to the parade please consider making a tax deductable donation to help the children in Eastern Ukraine. They desperately need your help. To make a donation, please click below and select “Helping Hand for Children Traumatized by War In Eastern Ukraine” from the dropdown menu.
Generous donors from around the world contributed in the wake of disaster
A Picture of the the HOPEww Center in Nepal.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” – Acts 20:35
On Monday November 19th, 2018 a joyful crowd made up of local and international stakeholders gathered together to celebrate the inauguration of the “HOPE worldwide Chhaimale Village Project.” This building is nestled amongst the rolling hills, covered with pear-laden fruit trees, in the beautiful mountain foothills about 2 hours southwest of Kathmandu, Nepal.
Back in April 2015, when I wrote a cheque to help during the global outpouring of compassion in the aftermath of the massive earthquakes that struck Nepal, I had no idea that later I would be privileged to have a front row seat to how these funds would be used. Donations from hundreds of people in dozens of churches across Canada, the UK, the US, and around the world, allowed a hope and a prayer, to become a dream, which eventually became the project that is now a Village Centre. This centre will fulfill the vision of “bringing hope, changing lives” in a village that was devasted and forever changed by those earthquakes.
My personal journey along the way is one of a unique opportunity that demonstrated God’s love and power, greatly encouraged me with the power of “brotherhood” and allowed my faith to both be stretched and to grow as I witnessed the Almighty’s ability to “move mountains” to accomplish His plan.
Early in 2016 I joined the Board of HOPE worldwide Canada, which allowed me to serve in a somewhat “official” capacity when our family travelled to Nepal in December 2016 to participate in the HOPEww Volunteer Corps that was taking place in Kathmandu. Back then, the plans were coming together for the best use of these Earthquake Disaster Relief funds that had been collected, based on the needs being assessed by HOPE worldwide Nepal on the ground. Even then, obstacles began to emerge, which led to further re-evaluation, global collaboration and many prayers and discussions.
The end result was a global collaboration and partnership rallying around a common need with a common purpose, which demonstrated the power of unity, brotherhood and family. I am so grateful for the many around the world that I have gotten to know, have become dear friends with and have learned so much from during this journey together. My fear is that I may omit some, and for that, I apologise in advance, but I am so grateful for Anu Dangol (HOPE worldwide Nepal), Chandra Sekaran (HOPE foundation India), Charles Ham (HOPE worldwide), Nadine Templer (HOPE worldwide), Barbara Porter (HOPEww Global), Jane Whitworth (HOPE worldwide UK), the support of the leadership and Board of HOPE worldwide Canada, with a very special “Thank You!” / धन्यवाद (Dhan’yavāda) to John Partington (HOPE worldwide UK) who laboured tirelessly as the Project Manager and whose wisdom and expertise pulled this all together.
Observing this process along the way, reminded me of the verse in Psalm 125:2, “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” As the mountains around Nepal are a constant reminder of the Lords surrounding love and faithfulness to his people, I recall an event that John Partington shared with me. There had been initial plans for the harvested pears to produce jam at the Village Centre, when a ‘chance’ conversation with the hotel manager at the Chhaimale Pear Tree Resort led to a meeting with the owner of the resort, Bijay Shrestha, who also happens to run a fruit processing factory in Kathmandu. This meeting led to Bijay’s support and collaboration for the pear processing, product development, branding, packaging and distribution of the fruits that the Village Project will produce.
What is so encouraging about this Village Project is that the profits from the pear processing factory, which will employ local villagers, will cover the ongoing annual operation costs of the Village Centre. The Centre also includes a rainwater harvesting system, as well as classrooms to teach computer skills and English for the villagers, a community room for various local needs as well as host a community based micro-loan facility for local farming purposes.
We are heading back to Nepal this coming July 27-August 10th for a HOPEww Volunteer Corps…if you have a background or skills in the medical or education field and/or have a passion to serve others, please consider joining us! See you in Kathmandu!
They say the past can inspire the future. In this post we go back to 2017, when the Taylor family from Halifax went to volunteer in Budapest, Hungary, and Ormoc City, Philippines. The family has served in many different countries with HOPE worldwide. Their stories are personal and had a tremendous impact on the their lives and the communities they served.
Read their stories here:
The Eternal Impact of HOPE Youth Corps
One Grateful Parent’s Perspective: In this post Greg Taylor talks about how HOPE Youth Corps has impacted him and his family. This article was originally published August 2017, courtesy HOPE worldwide. Read the full story here
Cameron Taylor
Family’s Testimonies | HOPE Youth Corps 2017
This article was written by Greg Taylor and originally published on the HOPE worldwide Philippines website after the family spent Christmas 2017 serving in the Philippines. Read the full article here
The Taylor family in the Philippines with HOPE Youth Corp, Christmas 2017
Greg Taylor is a volunteer with HOPE worldwide Canada. He is Co-Country Director as well as a member of the Board of Directors.
You can also make a difference and change lives here in Canada or across the globe. Contact us for more details and volunteer opportunities at communications@hopewwcanada.org
The HOPE worldwide Nepal Chhaimale Village Center and Factory is almost complete.
In 2015 a powerful earthquake struck Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people and injuring 22,000 others across the nation. It was the worst natural disaster to strike Nepal in over 80 years and was soon followed by a second 7.1 magnitude quake 21 days later.
The HOPE School in Kathmandu became a shelter for approximately 80 families in the immediate area who had lost their homes. Many countries and organisations across the world responded to this tragedy.
Three years after the earthquake devastated Nepal, many communities are still struggling to survive and restore their livelihood. Many people lost their families, and crops are still severely affected.
In the village of Chhaimale, 25 kilometres from Kathmandu, about 8,000 people live on the steep slopes, barely surviving in makeshift corrugated tin sheds. Roads to the village are very poor and the pledge of money to rebuild their homes has not been forthcoming. Farmers have to borrow money from loan agents to purchase seeds and cover household expenses but the cost of borrowing is putting the farmers further and further into debt.
Bringing HOPE to Nepal
After the earthquake, HOPE worldwide Nepal helped the village with material resourses and started the contruction of the “HOPE worldwide Nepal Chhaimale Village Center and Factory.” The aim was to help the community with long term, sustainable solutions to rise out of the poverty trap.
Construction work commenced shortly after breaking ground.
We are pleased to announce that, with your generous donations and HOPE worldwide UK, HOPE Worldwide Ltd, construction of the centre is now near completion. The Center will help in sustainable development by adding value to the farmers cash crops and also to reduce the costs of loans. HOPE worldwide Nepal will manage the Factory and Community Centre on a “not for profit” basis while all funds generated will be used to maintain and develop the centre. In addition to processing fruit, making jam and pickles, the centre will also provide training classes for farm development, computer, and English classes.
This has been a truly international partnership between HOPE worldwide UK, HOPE worldwide Ltd and HOPE worldwide Canada in assisting HOPE worldwide Nepal with the assessment, development and funding of the construction of the Chhaimale Village Center.
Thank you to Canada
We are grateful for all the donations received from the Canadian International Churches of Christ and their members across Canada. They responded with massive outpouring of donations to HOPE worldwide Canada to assist the people of Nepal. With your help, the Chhaimale Centre is planned to be completed and opened in June 2018.
We hope you are encouraged by the following quotes from around the world about our support and partnership:
“I want to take the time to sincerely thank you all the brothers and sisters, Canadian Churches for your donation to Nepal. Thanks again for your outstanding support and generosity. I appreciate you making the effort to come to our Village Project for the Earthquake relief. By the Grace of God, we had an amazing turnout and we managed to bring more in donations for this project. Your attendance and support have played an important role in our project. With your contribution, we’ll be able to help the earthquake affected villagers. We and the villagers are very happy and grateful to you. The villagers can now reap benefits in many ways through this project in the areas of education, training, support etc.”
Anu Dangol, Program Coordinator, HOPE worldwide Nepal
“It is wonderful and pleases God whenever people in need receive special care and experience the compassion of Christ. The Chhaimale Center in Nepal will be such a blessing for many people for many years to come. The fact that the Chhaimale Center is the fruit of so much love and sacrifice as well as of the collaboration of brothers and sisters in Canada, the US, the UK, Australia and Nepal makes this labor of love even more powerful. It has been a privilege and tremendous source of joy to me personally, to be part of this tremendous endeavor.”
Barbara Porter, Governance Officer, HOPE worldwide ltd.
” It has been very encouraging to work together with HOPE worldwide in Canada, Nepal and the US, combining resources and expertise to develop the Chhaimale Centre which will have a long-term impact in the local community. We have developed a very positive relationship with HOPE worldwide Canada. It has been great to work in partnership, learning from each other and working with Nepal towards a common goal. We look forwards to continuing to work together on this, and hopefully on future projects.”
Wil Horwood, Chief Executive, HOPE worldwide – UK
“The earthquake in Nepal devastated the country and villages. Helping the people survive after the earthquake was influential as the supporters of HOPE worldwide participate globally and in Canada. Thank you for your compassion for the people of Nepal. What is more exciting for me is not only helping the people of Nepal survived the impact of earthquake, but to rebuild better. The initiative that HOPE worldwide Nepal is doing in rebuilding Chhaimale village is going to benefit the people in the long term. We all hope that the center of hope there will be bridging the poverty and disaster preparedness for the future as well. Once again, thank you for the generous supports!”
Charles Ham, Global Disaster Response Coordinator, HOPE worldwide
Thank you again for your love, generosity, partnership and support!
