Summer 2013

For some the number 13 has an unlucky connotation, however for New Hope Initiative the summer of 13 promises to be a season of amazing opportunities. We have an incredible schedule of nine teams, 150 motivated individuals, who will join us in East Africa with a great desire to make a difference through the work of NHI. We have some of the most diverse and talented teams we have ever assembled. Our work will include day camps, musical teams, sports camps, village ministry, medical opportunities, construction teams, and women’s initiatives. Also during this summer we will dedicate the new wing of our medical center in Arusha, Tanzania and begin a major building program for the school and clinic in Kibera. We also will focus in the coming weeks on major improvements to the Kibera New Hope School. We are confident these changes will help make the school one of the finest educational establishments not only in Kibera, but in all of Africa. We would ask you to pray for our leadership, the team leaders, and every team member coming to work with us in Kenya and Tanzania. Pray that this summer will be a life changing experience for all.

Baby Bren

We attempt to be well organized in our work with New Hope Initiative. We make plans, develop strategy, and implement programs that are all designed to further our mission. However, often our greatest blessings come from the unexpected and unplanned  "projects" that God puts in our path. Such is the story of Baby Bren.  These past 30 months have not been without challenges, baby Bren has a number of developmental issues, almost certainly linked to the circumstances of her conception and birth. But thankfully at every phase she has been able to overcome every obstacle in her path. Bren has become a favorite of our NHI staff and a favorite among many of our teams and volunteers over the years. Today Bren is a thriving, active little girl with a loving personality and a heart-melting smile. At NHI we are thankful for all the strategic projects we are involved in, yet we are equally thankful for the unplanned projects that God places in our path. It is a good reminder for all of us in life and ministry to not become so focused on our strategy that we miss the individual opportunities to love others, like Baby Bren.Thirty months ago, like a modern day Moses, Bren was left in a basket on the steps of our New Hope Kibera Center in Nairobi, Kenya. There was no indication of her age, background, or family. Although our ministry in Kibera is focused on children and youth, we had no immediate program to care for a new born. As we struggled to find an answer to this unexpected need, one of the ladies in our work, aptly named Grace, willingly, immediately, and sacrificially, volunteered to take Bren in. While New Hope Initiative is providing monetary and emotional support for Grace, the degree of sacrifice on her part has been immense. Grace is older with grown children and lives a subsistence-level life in one of the world’s most infamous slums. Yet she has lovingly and consistently poured herself into the life of Baby Bren.

The Women of Project Biashara: Mary Wayua

The harsh conditions in the Kibera slum make everyday life extremely challenging. Starting and maintaining a business is even more difficult. Fortunately, with your help, Project Biashara provides the women of Kibera an opportunity to expand their business skills and provide for their families. These talented and bright women are learning more and contributing to the community in ways that used to be mere dreams.

Mary Wayua (46) is one of the many women who owns a business through the support of Project Biashara. She is a mother a four (Isaac, Judy, Elizabeth, Sarah) and a grandmother of three (Anton, Peace, Joshua) and is a familiar face to all teams that visit New Hope Primary School. In spite of having limited education and persistent health issues, she picked up English very quickly and embraces every opportunity to continue learning. In fact, she actually served as a translator when I was interviewing some of the women involved with the project.

For her Biashara (business) she makes beaded jewelry, and sells bags, groceries, and vegetables. Even though her business operates within the slum, she dreams of expansion. Mary hopes to expand her project abroad, allowing her to reach new customers and expand her business internationally.

Project Biashara provided the funds to cover some of the upfront costs in starting Mary’s business, and also continues to assist her in the purchase of food and needed medication. The assistance allows her to maintain her strength to run her business and provide for her family despite constant illness.

As she’s received assistance with her business and health, she also gives back. Mary believes that Project Biashara is God’s gift, and therefore willingly shares what she’s received with others. She tithes and gives offerings to her local church and also gives to those that have less and are in need. Even in her difficult circumstances, she maintains that her identity is firmly rooted in Christ, and nothing else. Every team that has the opportunity to meet and interact with Mary does not meet a “charity case,” but meets a woman whose faith is both admirable and beautiful.

Please pray for Mary, as life remains challenging. She hopes to move out of her current neighborhood where religious tensions and conflicts are high. Mary also fights difficult medical conditions that make working and raising a family even more difficult. In this period of tumultuous economic crisis around the world, business struggles. Pray that Mary will see her dream through and spread her business to the international level.

Project Biashara is a blessing to the women of Kibera like Mary, and even more of a blessing to the body of Christ. Through Project Biashara, we help remove the barriers that prevent people from pursuing their dreams. These women are not only getting more opportunity, but are also pouring out in their communities and spreading God’s love to all their neighbors.

Helen's Story

This month we are focusing on the individual people involved in the ministries that New Hope Initiative supports. We often report on our work in the Nairobi area slum called Kibera. There are so many areas of progress we could report on, but we want to focus on a great blessing in the life of one of our New Hope Primary Students.

In Kenya, as in any culture, adolescent girls face the pressure of conforming to standards of beauty and physical appearance.  Helen Blank is no different from most of the girls her age. Two years ago, Helen (12) attempted to pierce her own ears. However, it did not go as planned and she developed a tumor on her earlobe. This tumor grew rapidly until it was the size of a golf ball. At an age when young ladies are often very shy and self-conscious, this was a very difficult burden for Helen to bear.  She is a beautiful young lady, with an infectious smile, but Helen began to cover her ear at all times and almost never allowed people to see that side of her face. While a curable problem, the cost of the outpatient procedure required was too costly for her family.

In the midst of these trying circumstances, many of our team members have taken a great interest in Helen over the last two years and have loved her throughout the challenge. We are so happy to report that in September, through the new medical clinic program in Kibera, we took Helen to an outpatient clinic and the doctors removed the tumor. You can see the dramatic difference in the before and after photos. We are so excited for this blessing in Helen's life and we are thankful for our New Hope Initiative team that helped make it happen.

Christmas Magic

You can bring incredible joy this holiday season to some of the poorest children in the world as you participate in our New Hope Initiative Christmas Project. We are hosting numerous Christmas parties in homes across America to raise funds for the children that New Hope Initiative sponsors in Africa and Asia. All of these funds (100%) will go towards Christmas presents for the children and projects that will directly impact their lives. These parties are informal, fun, and a great way for you to share your passion for New Hope Initiative with your friends and family. Check out our website to see if there is a party scheduled in your community. If there are none in your area, you can host a party!

We have a package available that will allow you to host a party. It is simple, easy, and is a great way to make a difference in the lives of the children New Hope Initiative sponsors. If you are interested in learning more about hosting, please email Beth Snyder. Make this a very special Christmas for some very special children.