because every person matters...

How time flies…

November 2015 marked 10 years since Operation Hope was incorporated (and we almost missed it!). It’s been truly remarkable to see what has been achieved through the support and generosity of our Operation Hope community. We send out a huge THANK YOU for journeying the cause with us.

Below is a brief outline of our 3 key goals and how we have tracked over the years. With the support and generosity of our Operation Hope community we have been able to accomplish many of our goals.

Goal 1 – To increase the number of families with access to water, safe housing, food and health services

Practically this has been outworked by building homes, pit latrines, providing water tanks, ensuring families we work with know their HIV status and helping with occasional medical costs.

To date we have:

•  Engaged with 39 families
•  Helped 14 orphan and vulnerable children
•  Cared for 4 girls in Nomsa’s home
•  Provided 28 families with food aid (mealie meal program)
•  Built 11 homes
•  Built 11 pit latrines
•  Have 72 out of 126 people aware of their HIV status
•  Helped 34 families with medical bills, and transportation
•  Provided 17 families with accessible clean water
•  Assisted with funds towards an orphanage in Sri Lanka
•  Assisted 140 people in both countries with various donations ranging from clothing, food, mattresses, toys, soap, laptops, bikes and blankets.

Goal 2 – To facilitate educational opportunities for beneficiaries

Practically this has been outworked by providing school uniforms, school supplies and helping children gain school registration thus increasing school attendance. Sister Act has educated girls about menstruation, health and hygiene, sexual safety and human trafficking. Our Small Change program has helped attendees gain basic business skills. Agricultural advice and developing market gardens have assisted toward family sustainability. Community empowerment meetings have assisted communities to move forward on various projects.

To date we have:

•  Assisted 15 families with garden advice, fencing, seeds, fertiliser and garden set up
•  Engaged 8 women in Small Change and of these 4 have small businesses
•  Delivered Sister Act to 224 girls in both Sri Lanka and Swaziland
•  Assisted 140 children with school uniforms, fees and supplies
•  Trained 9 families in basic budgeting, household sanitation, goal setting and agriculture
•  Motivated 5 communities to follow through on their own goals. Some of these have been a market garden, water tank, milling machine, water access and school classrooms.

Our newest project has been building 4 classrooms for the Global School. This will eventually help reduce class sizes, empowering both students and teachers by making teaching and learning a lot more efficient. We love this project because we believe in the importance of education not only as a key to alleviating poverty, but also in the development of the whole person.

Goal 3 – To identify, train and empower local Community Workers

Practically this has been outworked by regular training of 13 community members, selected by their own community to volunteer for OH. This has enabled ease of access in community meetings as well as empowering the community to implement their own goals and vision.

To date we have:

Completed Community Development Worker training in Child Protection, Community Development, Conflict Resolution, First Aid, Report Writing, Snake Awareness, Gender Equality, Communication Skills, Environment Protection and Goal Setting.

These Community Development Workers help to facilitate many of the meetings we hold. They also refer vulnerable families that are struggling in their communities.

In addition to the 3 goal projects we have also:

•  Coordinated 33 carepoint and housewarming parties
•  Partnered with various organisations in Sri Lanka and Swaziland to capitalise on their strengths and assist each other in mutual goals. Some of these organisations include LEADS, Auslmat, Red Cross, Vision Aid, CHAI, PDI, Nercha, Amicall and the Good Shepherd Hospital Home Based Care Team.
•  Organised 94 trips and events, many of these run by the Evergreens

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, money, skills and other resources to the work of Operation Hope. Together we have been able to show Christ’s love and make a tangible difference in the lives of the people we serve.