Blog Post

HVC Kathmandu, Nepal - Rhoda Agerbak

Hope Worldwide • Jan 17, 2016

At the end of the school term and start of the Christmas break, a group of 7 families and 10 extra singles and students, set off for a very different holiday. Strikingly for a HOPE Youth Corps 17 of the 46 were not yet disciples, with some of the younger family members not exactly eager to spend Christmas in Nepal. Two of our older teens had been on HOPE Youth Corps trips before, and I admit I was just a tiny bit jealous of the adventures they were having, so when Ben and Jane Whitworth suggested the idea of a family corps I was eager to join in!
We felt so welcomed and taken care of by the local disciples in Kathmandu and were able to join them for Saturday church and communion in small groups after work on Sunday. The service part of the trip fell into four main groups, the builders (who built a new kitchen room and wall to contain a garden for the school) the carpenters ( who built nine school benches over the week) the teachers ( who taught the 7 classes of children while I delivered teacher training to their teachers) and the computer whizzes (who taught web building, blogging and computer skills at the vocational school). We also brought out clothing , shoes and new school uniforms; bought a freezer for the school; bought and delivered blankets to communities still living in tents after the earth quake and taught parenting lessons.
The media talks about sustainability and volunteer tourism being a problem rather than a help, but I am struck by the fact that the school has been running for 20 years,and is helping these children to better their economic outlook. Any help we give the school is sustainable through HOPE worldwide. My heart was moved by the plight of an elderly woman who had lost her family and home in the earthquake, living in a shelter provided by HWW.We took her a blanket and left her with shoes and a coat. Those individual gifts may not be 'sustainable' but they speak volumes about the love and compassion of Christ for the individual, and the fact we can make a difference in this world one person at a time. The fellowship and bond between the group was fantastic, a time to work together as families and for the non disciples among us to spend extra time with disciples. Helping each other with parenting issues and exposing our children to Jesus call to love and serve other people. HYC can really change hearts as well as serve the needy. Here are just a few quotes from the non Christians on the trip:

"I had underestimated the breadth and depth of the members of your church before coming on the trip." (Age 77, who last visited church 20 years ago)

"Can we get another pizza to give him tomorrow?" (Age 9 after giving their treat to another boy begging on the street)
"The children are just so happy even when they don't have anything"(Age 12)

"I wish some of the people back home could see the results of the faith I see in your lives and how you are serving here because of what you believe." (Age 77 at the end of the trip)

"I hope I will be better in the morning so I can have a quiet time with X ( one of the older teen disciples)" ( Age 13 who hadn't been that excited to miss Christmas at home!)

"Can we go on another Hope trip next year?" (Age 9)

World Water Day Campaign

22 Mar, 2024
HOPE worldwide supplies clean drinking water as a first response during disasters, as well as by distributing water filters to many vulnerable people around the world including communities in the Philippines, Nepal, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Zambia.

2 Years of Relief Efforts in Ukraine with HOPE worldwide

23 Feb, 2024
For the past two years, HOPE worldwide has been actively involved in providing aid and support to the people of Ukraine amidst the ongoing humanitarian disaster where thousands of our brothers and sisters faced an unprecedented crisis. The situation has demanded urgent action, and with the help of generous donors and dedicated volunteers, many lives have been saved and significant milestones have been achieved. Let's take a look back at the journey:

MLK Day Sunday Suppers Hosted Around the Country

01 Feb, 2024
Inspiring Sunday Suppers hosted by our family of volunteers:

Celebrating a Legacy of Service: Nadine Templer's Impactful Journey of Hope

18 Dec, 2023
As the year draws to a close, HOPE worldwide would like to honor and acknowledge many years of leadership provided by Nadine Templer, Senior Director of International Volunteer Programs.

Marc Aguirre Featured in The Citizen Newspaper

29 Nov, 2023
A Higher Calling: Dr. Marc Aguirre's Mission to Serve the Marginalized and Vulnerable

Samantha Power Visits HOPEww Papua New Guinea

08 Nov, 2023
USAID Administrator Samantha Power Visits HOPE worldwide's Clinic in Papua New Guinea During Her First Official Visit

Report From Maui Fires Relief

12 Sep, 2023
Maui Fires Disaster Response Update: September 12, 2023

Ben's Letter to the Community

31 Jul, 2023
Dear HOPE worldwide Community, First and foremost, let me express my heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome you have extended to me as the new CEO of HOPE worldwide . It is both an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with this leadership role, and I am excited to embark on this journey with each and every one of you. As I reflect on my life's journey, I am reminded of a pivotal moment that shaped the very essence of who I am today. Losing my mother tragically at the tender age of four taught me the harsh reality of impermanence, of how someone could be there one moment and gone the next. At such a young age, I did not fully understand the concept of death, but what I did understand was the importance of living. James 4:13-15 holds a profound truth that resonates deeply within me: “ Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.’” Our time on this earth is fleeting, and the realization of this truth was the spark that awakened a desire in me to truly live and embrace every moment with purpose and passion. I have found my purpose, my calling, in the mission of HOPE worldwide. The work we do here, touching lives and making an impact by loving our neighbors, allows me to live my passion.

Dr. Ben Barnett Named New CEO of HOPE worldwide

24 Jul, 2023
The HOPE worldwide Board of Directors is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Ben Barnett to the role of CEO and President of HOPE worldwide

U.S. Secretary of State recognizes HOPE worldwide Clinic in Papua New Guinea

27 Jun, 2023
PRESS RELEASE June 27, 2023 HOPE worldwide , a leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing sustainable, high-impact, community-based services, including critical healthcare services, disaster relief, and education, to underserved communities globally, is proud to announce the recognition received by the Lawes Road Clinic in Papua New Guinea during a recent visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken . This visit highlighted the impactful work carried out by HOPE worldwide global network member, HOPE worldwide Papua New Guinea (PNG), in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. government’s largest effort to combat HIV. During his visit to Papua New Guinea, Secretary Blinken had the opportunity to tour HOPE worldwide PNG’s Lawes Road Clinic, which is led by HOPE worldwide PNG Country Director Priscilla Sine Mal, and witness firsthand the incredible efforts undertaken by the dedicated team. The clinic's commitment to improving the lives of the local community in various areas, including HIV prevention and treatment, and treatment for victims of violence against women deeply impressed Secretary Blinken. In his remarks, Secretary Blinken expressed his admiration for the clinic's work, stating, "This was a real privilege to be here at the Lawes Road clinic where quite literally our partners are saving lives, changing lives, every single day." The visit showcased the significant impact of HOPE worldwide Papua New Guinea’s clinic on the region, highlighting its vital role in providing essential healthcare services to those most in need and who often have the most difficult time getting treatment, in part due to the social stigma often associated with their conditions. The Lawes Road Clinic operates under the auspices of the Presidential Emergency Plan For HIV/AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), funded through USAID and implemented in collaboration with FHI 360 and HOPE worldwide . The clinic has been instrumental in providing critical care, support, and testing for HIV/AIDS patients in Papua New Guinea, contributing to the nationwide efforts to combat the disease. This year, PEPFAR celebrates its 20th anniversary, and its 17th year of implementation in Papua New Guinea. HOPE worldwide is honored by the recognition bestowed upon HOPE worldwide Papua New Guinea and the Lawes Road Clinic by Secretary Blinken and remains committed to its mission of transforming communities and improving lives through local, volunteer-based initiatives. With the continuous support of partners like USAID and the unwavering dedication of its teams on the ground, HOPE worldwide and its global network of members like HOPE worldwide PNG strive to create a healthier, more resilient future for all.
Show More
Share by: