Blog Post

Marc Aguirre Featured in The Citizen Newspaper

Nov 29, 2023

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

HOPE worldwide South Africa Country Director Marc Aguirre was recently interviewed for The Citizen newspaper in South Africa and discussed the massive food insecurity and literacy crisis that the country currently faces.

It was a family tragedy that changed Dr Marc Aguirre’s life trajectory. Just as he was set for a career in neurosurgery, his sister was killed in a car accident in Cape Town. When he went to her funeral, he heard about a side of her life he was not fully aware of.


“I started hearing stories about how she would work in communities and how she cared for marginalized people by helping with food and clothing. I was amazed and wondered who is this person.


“It made me question my purpose, and I realized my focus was on my career. It made me realize I wanted to have a purpose greater than myself. It became quite spiritual, and I felt God’s calling on my life to imitate her life and use my medical training in a way that could really help those who either did not have access to healthcare or were marginalized or disadvantaged.


“After my internship, there was a job opening with HOPE worldwide in the Ivory Coast to run an HIV clinic for people with HIV who could not pay for their health care. So we went there to run the clinic.”


HOPE worldwide South Africa has operated for 15 years, footprinting seven provinces. It works closely with the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Social Development and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.


Aguirre said that a child’s early years were the most critical in their development but that it was evident many young and vulnerable children in SA were neglected in terms of services and support.


According to recent research, nearly two-thirds of children three to five years old (3.3 million) do not have access to Early Learning Programs (ELPs). Of children who do have access to an ELP, six out of 10 are falling behind. The quality of existing ELPs is often poor, with unqualified teachers and insufficient resources. Also, millions of young children are malnourished, with 27% of children being stunted.


“A recent report said eight million children go hungry every day in this country. And right now, only about 20% of children can read for understanding by Grade four. We are facing a massive food insecurity and literacy crisis that must be addressed urgently,” Aguirre said. “There is very little support for parents and caregivers in the early years. All this puts these children at a massive disadvantage in terms of school readiness or being able to learn.”


HOPE worldwide SA’s ECD programs focus on supporting both preschools and caregivers. This includes a network of nearly 1,400 member preschools with almost 63,000 children benefiting. These schools receive a range of training and support services to enhance the quality of education they provide.


The nutrition program reaches 31,000 children monthly via support to preschools and households. Its National Parenting Program has a 10-session ECD parenting curriculum facilitated through parent support groups. It has shown improved ages and stages questionnaire scores.


Additionally, its caregiver learning through play program aims to equip 600,000 caregivers over three and a half years.


“As country director, I see my role in two main areas. Firstly, strategy – guiding the direction of the organization and finding ways to reach as many children as possible in impactful ways. This means engaging with the community in respectful and relational ways, listening to and learning from them,” Aguirre said. "This also means identifying the right partners to make that happen. Importantly, it also involves monitoring our work to see if we are making progress.


“Second is sustainability. That involves mobilizing human and financial resources and recruiting and retaining highly skilled staff that make the difference and finding the funding to ensure we reach our goals.”

With 170 staff countrywide, Aguirre said it was very encouraging that many of them were initially beneficiaries of the program.


“Spending time in community really impacts me, hearing the stories of transformation and being inspired by the tremendous resilience I see. This motivates me enormously to be a voice for those that often do not have a voice.”

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.
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By HOPE worldwide • 14 Mar, 2023
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