ALVIN: Before and After

Alvin's sponsor says: We are overjoyed to see the difference between his first picture and this updated picture. Thank you for the work you are doing. He does have a hope and a future!!"

Alvin Before

Alvin Now!

Would you like to  make a difference in a child like Alvin?  Sponsor today:  http://rwanda.homeofhope.ca/sponsor 

Update on Nairobi Tragedy

Here are some photos of the fire tragedy that has occurred in Sinai – a portion of Kware Slum. It is a densely populated area close to the Petroleum depot in the Industrial area. Dan Peters has visited its proximity when he was here the last 2 times. The fire was caused by a leaking petroleum pipe that passes through the slum. The petrol flowed through the sewer and got an opening in the slum, and was gushing out into the river. Some of the slum dwellers rushed to draw the free-for-all petrol, unfortunately it burst in a huge flame that engulfed the whole area. It is not clear whether someone was smoking while drawing petrol or if it became an open fire along the river, as the slum is built right to the river.
Over 100 people are dead, men, women and innocent children. Some died in their house beyond recognition. Others died in the river already full of petrol trying to escape. Over 150 have had serious burns and were admitted to hospitals. The scene of Sinai area became like a horror movie or a scene from hell. Please pray for these people! We have several members of our Church from the area. Thankfully we have no report of any being affected so far, but are waiting to have full report that all are well. Nevertheless, families have lost breadwinners, children have lost their mothers and many left homeless. If anyone wants to help needy families in this area please email us at homeofhope@telus.net

Tragedy in Nairobi

There was a big fire in the KWARE slum that has killed over 120 people and destroyed many houses. We are helping many people in this slum, and we have our workers there now .  We are trying to establish if any of the people connected with Home of Hope have been killed or affected.  Please Pray!

New Shoes and Clothes for All the Children in Rwanda!

All of our sponsored children in Rwanda got new clothes and shoes. Here are some of the 175 children in Cyuru Rwanda. THANKS SO MUCH SPONSORS.

Abandoned Child Brought to the Dream Centre

This sweet boy was found a few nights ago just outside the slum. He is around 1 year old, and we don't know his name. He was sponsored yesterday. Children's lives are being saved through Home of Hope!

Jayden's Heart

An amazing 9 year old girl named Jayden who has a desire to help suffering children.

Two Brothers Rescued from the Slum in India!

These two brothers were rescued from child labour in a slum in India. Their father left to be a terrorist, so the mother ran away. Grandmother could not take care of him and his brother. One of the Home of Hope Team Members (Andrew) found out about the boys from a friend who is involved in the slum ministry. They were working in a slum garage shop where the friend went to repair his motor bike. He called Andrew and told him about the situation. Andrew went and picked up the boys and took them to Home of Hope. Both Brothers got sponsored last night! Praise God!

This is Yingloi. He is 10 years old and is in grade 3. His favorite subjects are English and Hindi. He loves to eat noodles and pork. Yingloi does not want to grow up like his father, so he is glad that he now lives at Home of Hope. He hopes and dreams of helping young children.

This is Phongau. He is 7 years old and is in grade 1. His favorite subjects are math and English. His favorite foods are noodles and pork. He dreams and hopes to help small children in the future.

The Slum

Children in Need: How YOU Can Take Action Against Hunger

I'm sure you've heard it all before.  That there are millions of children in need around the world who are homeless, dying and starving not only for food, but for love.  We see it on the news, on movies, commercials and we temporarily feel compassion and think "I wish I could bring that little child home with me" or "If only I could do something." Then we quickly forget as we go on with our day to day lives and leave the "making the world a better place" thing to someone else.  We are all guilty of it.  We want to change the world, but at no cost. To help children in need would mean sacrificing something.  Besides, you are just one person right? Can one person really make a difference?  The answer is Yes!  Read on to find out about the power of one and how you can take action against hunger.

The results of extreme poverty are slavery, human trafficking, hunger, thirst, abandoned children, disease, lack of education, war, corruption and statelessness.  Here are some statistics from worldhunger.org and similar websites:
-Children who are poorly nourished suffer up to 160 days of sickness each year. 
-One child dies of hunger related causes every 3.5 seconds.
-126 million children around the world are in work that is harmful to their health and welfare.
-In areas of extreme poverty, it is common for children to eat dirt to try to make the hunger pains stop.
-Approximatley 12 million children in Africa are orphaned by Aids.
-The children of mothers who have a primary education are 50% more likely to reach the age of five.

There is such a thing as righteous anger and we should be furious about these statistics and take action to help children in need.  Poverty can only be demolished if we come together as one force to play our part.

4 Ways How YOU Can Take Action Against Hunger:

1. Sponsorship:  All it takes is $30-40 a month to provide food, shelter, education, clothing, and healthcare for a desperate child.  That is $1.33 a day or less. The cost of a cup of coffee.  I like this quote by Vaden Earle ~ "How many times have you heard that you can save the life of a child for just the cost of a cup of coffee per day?  A cup of coffee per day?  Have we gone so far from the reality of human suffering that we are having to decide between a life and a beverage?  There is something seriously wrong with this analogy. We are part of a global family, and our lives are intertwined with those from every nation of the world.  They are our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and we must add our voice to theirs.  They are more than a budget line and a bottom dollar figure.  They are worth more than the equivalent of our morning caffeine fix."
2. Missions Teams:  Not only will you change the lives of children in need by going on a missions trip, you're life will be changed also.  You will be able to see first hand how their lives are being affected by the giving of others.
3. Time:  I get that life is busy.  It doesn't take much time however, to spread awareness, volunteer once in a while, or most importantly pray.  Even if you can't do a lot, do a little.
4. One time donations:  Consider giving a one time donation of whatever you can afford.  It takes only $1 to provide a hot meal for a child.  How many meals can you provide?  There are other options also, such as donating towards schooling,  staff and care givers, micro financing and medical expenses to name a few.

There are many organizations that you can give to or volunteer at, but I am pleading with you to do something to help children in need. The Bible contains over 2000 verses on the poor and God's concern for them.  God's character is presented as a model for our own. If God values the poor, we should too. Psalms 82:3-4 says "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."  Don't bury your head in the sand and hope someone else takes action. Making a difference starts with you, it starts today. Change one life at a time.

"I am only one, but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but still I can do something". ~ Helen Keller

Next,  take the next step and do whatever you can  to help children in need and take action against hunger.