Project Stories

The Simple Dignity of a Backpack.

Keerthana and Rashi… the unstoppable sibling duo. Their smiles—contagious. Their determination—relentless. Their dreams—immeasurable. Side by side, they are taking steps into a new future, one that was previously unimaginable for them. They pick up their backpacks and swing them around onto their backs, sliding their arms through the strap loops. The bags snuggle in against their spines, dependable and secure. The dark turquoise straps of their backpacks exuberate dignity as they rest on their shoulders. It’s like there’s no other place those straps can be, except lying on top of their shoulders.

They are so thankful for the backpacks that have been provided for them through The Hope Venture’s Backpack Project, because before they received them, going to school was difficult. Their parents don’t have stable and sustainable jobs. The work that they are able to get doesn’t pay a lot, and it’s pretty irregular. Their parents struggle to supply all the needs of their children, especially for books for school. According to their mother, not even the government helps them, and they feel pretty neglected. Even through all their efforts, there seemed to be no way to relieve any of the problems the family faced.

But then Keerthana and Rashi were able to receive a backpack filled with all the supplies they would need for the year, and circumstances changed. They were now ensured an opportunity to attend school and to strive for success. Any worries about affording their school supplies could no longer stand in the way. Their parents didn’t have to stress about stretching their finances to buy books and school supplies for them anymore.

A backpack. It’s something so simple! Now, because they received a backpack, Keerthana and Rashi can go to school. They are able to progress in their education and pursue their dreams of becoming teachers so they can help other kids just like them experience the joy, excitement, and dignity of being a student in a classroom.

Doing it differently.

We were in humid Northern India outside Delhi, sitting in Anuja’s cool air conditioned office. Anuja is the principal of Mt. Sinai School, an amazing school The Hope Venture partners with that provides free tuition to 25% of the students who come from impoverished backgrounds, and is sustained by 75% of students who pay for tuition and come from middle and upper class backgrounds.

We were discussing with Anjua and her husband, Deepak, if there was a student who had received free tuition we could chat with about their story. Anuja and Deepak liked the idea and had a student in mind they knew well, but were adamant that he shouldn’t feel different or singled out because he was part of the 25% group. They said that no students know who is paying and who is paid for, and even a student who is paid for might not know that themselves; a value Anuja and Deepak held strongly. We decided we would interview two students: one paying, one paid for. It was a conversation that mattered, and I respected Anuja and Deepak for the call they made. To its core, Mt. Sinai cares about its students and wants everyone to have the same, equal chance at success, no matter their background.

We pulled two boys from class to interview them: Aaditya, yellow shirt, 6th grader, receiving free tuition, and Navyaansh, blue shirt, 7th grader, paying tuition fees. Aaditya was a bit quieter, but had an old soul. Navyaansh was more of a talker and had a subtle confidence to him. They were friends and played on rival soccer teams at recess, which brought smiles and proud claims when asked whose team was better.

What got Aaditya coming to Mt. Sinai was his father’s big desire for him to receive an education from a school that taught English so well. Aaditya was admitted to Mt. Sinai, but in 2019, his father tragically passed away from brain cancer. This happened shortly before COVID-19 hit, and with Aaditya’s mom working full-time and unable to watch Aaditya and his sister, Aaditya stopped attending online classes once COVID-19 was in full swing and got into a bad friend group with older teenage boys.

Anuja took note of this and was concerned about Aaditya, so she reached out to his mom and invited her to come to her office and chat about what they could do for him. Aaditya’s mom was afraid that Mt. Sinai was going to kick him out of school due to his lack of attendance and her lack of ability to keep paying tuition, but Anuja remembered how badly Aaditya’s father wanted him to study there. Anuja offered to give Aaditya free tuition, a huge financial burden lifted off his mother and a way for him to be in a safe, productive place during the day and not out getting into trouble with his friends.

Aaditya returned to the school and was taken under the wing of Anuja and Deepak’s son, whose name is also Aaditya (Aady for short), and is the dean of Mt. Sinai. Aady really worked with Aaditya to get him back on track and succeed not only in school, but in life. Mt. Sinai’s motto is “building global leaders for tomorrow,” and focuses on the four pillars of mental, social, physical, and spiritual development. Mt. Sinai pours into its students at a relational level, and Aady mentoring Aaditya was a perfect example of that.

As for Navyaansh, he started coming to Mt. Sinai because it’s a Christain school, and Christian schools in India put a strong emphasis on teaching English, which was important to him and his parents.

Both boys’ faces lit up when they talked about how much they loved Mt. Sinai and the teachers there. They said that students can call their teachers Mon-Sat anytime before 10pm to get help with homework. I learned that in India it’s sooo common for students to be hit or verbally berated by teachers during class, but Mt. Sinai has a specific “no touch” policy and always builds up their students. Mt. Sinai does things differently, and it’s building a strong foundation in their students to pursue their big dreams and believe they can achieve anything; inspiration we all need in this world.

Both Aaditya and Navyaansh want to be part of the Indian Police Services when they grow up. They value protecting their loved ones and the community at large, and I believe in their capability just as much as their school does.

A Fulfilling Job—Filling Tummies, Minds, and Hearts.

Ambrose spends his days surrounded by young kids buzzing with explosive energy and unmeasurable joy. The excitement is contagious among all of the kids as they flood into the school building, ready for the day ahead. These kids are in primary school at Christian Eminent Academy in Narok, Kenya. The school was started by our partner, Nasha Ministries, in 2010. And now, Ambrose is employed as the administrator in the school.

While these kids come streaming into the school with big smiles and eager eyes, many of them are also stepping into the building with empty, hungry tummies. This has been a persistent problem for the students in the primary school ever since it opened. Most of the time, kids in Narok drop out of school right after or before finishing primary school because families in this area simply cannot afford to send their kids to school because of the school fees. The average income levels for families in Narok are very low. Someone might make $1-2 per day, and they often can only work two or three times each week because the jobs are often things like farming, washing clothes, driving a motorbike, or some sort of masonry or construction work. These jobs are inconsistent and may not always be available for people trying to work. Even with both parents working as much as they can, the income is way too low to fully support a family. So with this level of income, families have to choose if they are going to pay school fees or if they are going to feed the family. Christian Eminent Academy recognized this issue and wanted kids to be able to come to school AND get at least one meal each day, so they started a feeding program.

However, the school was struggling financially with this initiative. They weren’t getting enough fees paid by the students, and the cost of feeding every student each day wasn’t sustainable for the school. Food costs were rising, and along with all of this, there were still other financial needs that had to be met for the school, like teacher salaries.

To keep educating, transforming hearts, and empowering the poor and vulnerable students at Christian Eminent Academy was a huge goal that wasn’t going to be compromised.

A plan was created to supply nutritious food to the students through the means of small-scale agriculture right by the school. The farms grow corn, peas, beans, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, kale, spinach, and grass. The goal of the farm is to grow food for the students to eat, while also making enough money to sustain the farm itself and keep it going. On top of just sustaining itself, the farm is designed to generate income for the school, which can be used for other needs to keep the school functioning, taking a huge load off of Ambrose as he manages the school. A lot of the crop is harvested and sold—an investment in the future to keep this project going for years to come.

Ambrose has been able to see this project in its beginnings and he has been able to see its gradual progress in working toward achieving its goal. And in turn, Ambrose is able to see the kids at school be filled—physically with food, practically with knowledge in classes, emotionally with happiness, and spiritually with faith. While all of this is happening in the lives of the kids, the farm is producing crops to be sold so that the school can keep functioning and impact even more students.

Ambrose also gets filled by seeing the kids getting their needs met. With the assurance of at least one meal each day, the kids are healthier and happier, and they can focus more attention on schoolwork than before. Then, if they continue in their schooling, Ambrose gets the joy of knowing the kids will have more opportunities later in life because of their education. He takes so much joy in seeing these kids succeed.

He doesn’t just stop at watching the kids now but does all he can to make sure they continue to get the support they need to be successful in the future too.

His heart extends to each student as he greets them as they walk into the building, and he smiles, knowing his role as school administrator provides a safe space for them to come to school and be excited to eat, excited to learn each day, and launching them into a future of hope.

Known and Loved More than Skin Deep.

Leprosy is no joke in India. Jayraman and Madathesri would know. Both have had leprosy for around 30 years. In India, leprosy is not just a disease. It’s viewed as a curse from the gods. The person infected with leprosy becomes the disease, not just a person battling it. There is intense prejudice and little care given to those with leprosy. They are left to live in isolation because no one wants to be around them. They are considered “untouchables” in society. They are neglected. Rejected. Ignored. Unwanted. Abandoned. Left to themselves with no help or treatment.

Because of the lack of care, Jayraman and Madathesri’s physical condition has only gotten worse. Jayraman has experienced a loss of vision, and his arms and hands are affected. Madathesri’s hands have been affected the most, and she can hardly use her fingers.

The two of them have been married for about eight years now, and have a beautiful and healthy son and daughter in elementary school, hoping to complete their education. But achieving this goal is difficult when there are requirements for school fees to be paid, and they don’t have enough money to do so.

Because of the neglect and stigma they face in society, no one wants to hire them. Even if someone did hire them, they couldn’t work because their leprosy has gotten so bad that their hands cannot complete tasks, at least with ease. They are dependent on money or donations from others for their needs or are forced to pull from their slim savings.

Right now, some of their greatest needs include food and surgeries to treat the effects of their leprosy. Through the help of The Hope Venture’s Medical Kit Project, Jayraman and Madathesri have received medical supplies, clothing, and groceries in the medical kits they were given. These items are simple, and while they might not completely cure their leprosy, it shows that they are cared for and provides assistance to them when nobody else will. Another big piece of giving care to them came from Martin, a volunteer for the Medical Kit Project.

One day, he saw Jayraman walking along the road outside. Martin ran out, his feet frantically trying to place themselves back under himself, picking up pace as he rushed to meet Jayraman. Martin’s cheeks were tight from the big smile lighting up his face. He gently placed his arm around Jayraman’s shoulders as he came to greet him. Martin was not afraid to touch Jayraman, to be in his presence. Both of the men’s faces were beaming as they talked, displaying an excitement of connection—just one of the many ways Jayraman has found belonging and community.

Jayraman and Madathesri have been able to experience a pocket of community where they are no longer the outcasts of society. They aren’t neglected—they are cared for. They aren’t rejected—they are cherished for the humans that they are. They aren’t unwanted—they are welcomed with open arms. They aren’t abandoned—they have people coming alongside them and around them to help them out.

It’s in moments like this that hope is so vibrant for them. To be known and accepted as they are in their medical condition is evidence of the love poured out for them. Some of the steps taken to help them have been small, but it’s in these small steps that they see the realness of the love and acceptance they are being embraced with.

The adventure of persistent hope.

Madhaven is one of those guys that just seems to have new crazy stories about his life that get uncovered every time you interact with him. He will start telling a story about something that happened in his life and you can’t help but let your jaw drop. He has a lot of years under his belt at 75 years old, but at the same time, he is also one of the most youthful-spirited guys you’ll ever meet. He is persistent and driven, joyful and hopeful – determined to live life to the fullest with many adventures ensuing along the way.

One of his crazy adventures stems all the way back to his birth. Madhaven was born without his left arm from the elbow down. This was a journey that Madhaven didn’t choose to embark on. It has proved to be an obstacle throughout his life as he navigates embracing the  adaptability of completing daily tasks in creative ways due to his disability.

In his aging, other health problems have come up for Madhaven. He often gets pain in his neck that won’t go away. He also has to put in a lot of effort to take a full, deep breath – his lungs don’t have the capacity and strength that they once had. He battles chronic asthma and is often wheezing, begging his lungs to fill and deflate with ease. It has been bothering him for over two years. These health issues may be small, but it adds up for Madhaven, especially when he would prefer to be on the move, collecting and chopping firewood, taking care of his cattle, farm, and family.

Fortunately, Madhaven doesn’t let these health concerns get in his way of living his life to the fullest. Every week, Madhaven walks to the Jack Norman Hope Center in Masinagudi where he is able to get free healthcare and treatment provided by Dr. Sally and Dr. Babu. Madhaven says he would have died long ago if it weren’t for the great care he continually receives from Dr. Sally and Dr. Babu, who to Madhaven have become “mom and pop.” The bond and care built and received by Madhaven at the Jack Norman Center have been an adventure beyond his health – it touches his heart. 

Madhaven can delight in the clean and safe environment brought by the Jack Norman Hope Center where he repeatedly gets good care for his health. He can see a physical difference being made in his daily life as he is brought up to better health and takes joy in this change. He is given dignity as he gets his needs met at the facility.

Madhaven isn’t pain free. His life is still tough. But Madhaven only sees his difficulties as hurdles to leap over, continuing on the path beyond them. The Jack Norman Center is a springboard for Madhaven, helping him over his health obstacles. He is full of optimism, joy, and humor. Despite the hard things Madhaven is walking through, if you had a conversation with him, he would make you smile. He’d tell ya stories about his younger years, brag on his family – his four kids, his eight grandkids, or his beautiful wife who passed away four years ago. He’d crack some jokes, tell you about the hope he has found in Jesus, and make you feel so seen and known after concluding your conversation with a firm handshake, looking at you with his eyes sparkling, crinkled in a friendly squint from his persistent smile.

Bringing light and new beginnings at the Home of Hope.

Darkness consumed Veena’s life. She grew up without the presence of her father in the home. She lived with her mother, sister, and grandmother. They farmed a small plot of land, growing ragi, a grain crop. Veena eventually got married, had a child, and left the small farm. She really loved her husband and cherished the life they were beginning to build together. Then her husband began to get mistreated at work. This was challenging for him and it really began to take a toll on him. He turned to alcohol to cope with the challenges at work and developed cancer from his alcohol consumption. He died shortly after their son, Rameet, was born. Veena became very depressed after the passing of her husband. His death was a tragedy for her. Then, shortly after her husband’s death, her mother also passed away. The two deaths at the same time were unbearable for Veena. She felt alone and hopeless. She started wandering the streets. She was so depressed she didn’t even want to live in a house because that would mean having to come home to it each day – empty – because her family members were no longer living there. So Veena was content with living on the streets because it meant she could avoid some of the memories of what home once was.

She spent four years on the streets with her son. Veena and Rameet were covered in lice and flies. There was no bathing. They had no food. Veena did not care for herself or her son, leaving many health issues untreated. All the deaths in her family that she had experienced were painful for her, but she didn’t want to dwell on the pain. Instead, she would numb herself from feeling anything at all by blacking out, using alcohol and other substances to mask the pain she was feeling.

Veena didn’t have any hope of her circumstances getting better. She was stuck in a cycle of darkness and depression and didn’t want to do anything to get out of it. Meanwhile, her life and her son’s life were in danger and not in a healthy state.

People in the city recognized this danger, and the police intervened for Veena and Rameet. They called the Home of Hope and they came to pick up Veena and Rameet. The Home of Hope is one of The Hope Venture’s partner organizations that provides shelter and care for over 750 people who have been cast out and neglected in Bangaluru, India.

Things started to turn around for Veena and Rameet after being brought to the Home of Hope. It took a while for Veena to realize where she was and what was happening, but each day she made some improvements in all aspects of her physical and mental health. She began to enjoy her time in the Home of Hope. Medicine was provided for her and she was able to actually sleep through the night and truly rest for the first time in seven years. Her health and hygiene began to improve. She began to learn to eat, interact with others, and work again.

As she grew more comfortable there, opportunities for work around the home started to open up. She worked in healthcare for a few years before she was married, and because of her time at the Home of Hope, she was able to revisit, remember, and relearn her work as a nurse. Now Veena loves working at the Home of Hope and is proud to work there and take care of others. She serves the people there so well and gets excited to see them improve in their condition, just as she did when she was first brought to the Home of Hope.

Now Veena has only one dream – to have her son educated. Rameet was never in school previously – all he knew was living on the streets. But the Home of Hope has helped get Rameet into school. Veena’s dream is now a reality. Rameet went to school for the first time ever in fifth grade. He was able to start getting caught up in his schooling through the support of the Home of Hope, and now Rameet is heading into sixth grade.

Veena’s life has been radically changed because of the Home of Hope. The darkness that once completely consumed her life does not have a hold on her anymore. No longer is Veena on the streets. She is working a job that she sees value in, her health is in good standing, and her son is getting an education. These are all things that bring joy and light into Veena’s life, and she is sharing that light with others.

The sweet aroma of a student scholarship.

Steam rises in slow waves, swirling into the air from the plate set down in front of you. You feel the warmth from the food pressing into your face as you gaze down. You inhale the aroma of the freshly battered fried chicken. The tender meat is covered in a contrasting crunch of the batter, fried to a crisp. Shifting your eyes to the kitchen, you see a young girl, smiling and dancing as she stirs a pot of vegetables. As she plates the food and hands it to the hungry dinner guests, it’s as if the plate is screaming, “I love you” to each guest from the cook herself.

This is the message Winnie joyfully conveys each time she cooks. She tells her mother to sit down and relax – to let Winnie do the cooking instead. She fully displays her commitment and care to her mother and family each time she steps into the kitchen.

Before Winnie began cooking on her own, her mother taught her all the cooking skills she had mastered herself. They worked side by side in the kitchen, whipping up chapati and rice. Winnie’s cooking skills also expanded in school in her home science class.

Cooking is what Winnie loves to do. She is thrilled that she is able to learn more about cooking at school too. But she didn’t always have access to an education to be able to do so. She lives in a slum called Mathare in Nairobi, Kenya. Her family didn’t have enough money to provide an education for Winnie. At only 15 years old – living in the slums with no access to education – Winnie’s future seemed destined for a life in the slums.

But what a surprise it was to Winnie when a normal day of lounging on the couch in her home turned into an unforgettably joyful day. Tears of thanks streamed down her face after hearing the news that she had received a scholarship to go to school thanks to The Hope Venture and their partnership with Agape Integrated Group. Winnie never thought she would get to go to school, or even that she would be chosen as a recipient of a scholarship. But here she was, crying, dancing, and singing praise after hearing the news of her scholarship.

Now that Winnie is in school, she wants to work hard to achieve her dreams of being a chef. Winnie loves food. The process of food – from garden to table. Making food and knowing how to cook it – boiling, baking, chopping, frying. Eating food – yum! There are so many elements to food that Winnie loves. And not only does she understand that making food is a process, but she sees the process in attending school as well. She wants to be diligent in attending classes, studying, doing her best work, and experiencing the joy of it all throughout the process, keeping her eyes fixed on her goal of becoming a professional chef one day.

A deep desire to love and care well as a mother.

Hellen deeply desires to be a good mom to her three kids: a 17-year-old son, a 13-year-old daughter, and an 8-year-old daughter. She loves them immeasurably, and wants to do everything she can to take care of them, making sure they have all they need to live comfortably and happily.

One way this desire flowed out of Hellen for years was her continual commitment and effort to get milk for her kids to drink. In Oletukat, the village in Kenya where they live, getting milk was not an easy or convenient task. Hellen would frequently have to travel or send someone else to the nearest town 20 minutes away to get milk. This had to happen because in a house full of growing teenagers, food seemed to disappear almost as soon as it came into the house, and Hellen was determined to keep milk constantly supplied for her children.

Hellen and her family received a goat from The Hope Venture in January of 2022. This meant that the frequent trips into town for milk could stop! Her family could get milk directly from their own goat. This gave Hellen assurance and confidence that she was being a good mom by knowing exactly where the milk she was feeding her children was coming from. Oftentimes, the milk sold in town would have water or chemicals added to it, which decreased the nutritional benefit.

Additionally, because they didn’t have to go into town to go get milk, the family saved a lot of time. Now they can spend more time together, or spend more time focusing on their farm where they raise chickens, maize, and beans. This also provides a way for Hellen to be a good mom to her kids – teaching them to work hard. Her son, Henry, has even taken ownership of milking the goat every day.

The family’s goat milk is not only available for drinking, but also to make chai tea, cookies, and traditional veggies for the family. The nutritional benefits extend beyond just drinking the milk and also make the menu at home more exciting!

Hellen’s desire to be a good mom for her children is enough to show how much she loves them, and that makes her a good mom in itself. Receiving a goat from The Hope Venture aids her efforts and makes it easier on her, so she doesn’t have to constantly strive beyond her capacity to provide everything for them.

A legacy that empowered.

It was raining when we arrived. We wound through a few roads where there were some simple cement homes, nothing fancy. We got out and walked down an alley. Our partner took a right and I wasn’t sure exactly where, since much of it looked the same. I got about to where he had been and looked into a small doorframe of a home inquisitively, as if to say, “is this where my friend just went?” A woman giggled at me and motioned to the next house. I went there but had the same hesitation, “is this the one?” And up the steps someone motioned me forward excitedly. “Yes! This way! Come. Come.”

Up the steps and around the corner opened to a small room where some food was cooking. Past that was another room with lots of children… boys sitting on the floor on one side and girls on the other and a tutor behind them all. They stood and cheered. “Welcome ma’am, hello. Welcome. Sit, sit.”

They were excited to see us. They had a presentation prepared for us and wanted to get right to it. A handful of us had just arrived, some for the first time to India, and all of a sudden children were quickly saying all the things they had prepared.

“Hello, I am Thulasi. Welcome to Kurumbar Padi. I have two brothers and one sister.” (Or did she say one brother and one sister? And did she say something else in between there? Some people were still sitting down. Our eyes and ears and hearts were still adjusting to the setting we were in). “And what is your dream,” someone asked. “To be an artist. I want to be an artist like my father.”

The next one started. Then the next. And we got to the boys. And they said theirs. And then one boy stood up and added. “I like to draw. I would like to be an artist.”

Someone pointed back to the first girl, Thulasi. Yes they are brother and sister. They drew these photos on the wall. Wow those are beautiful.

The program went on. Each one sharing. Then a skit… turned out to be the Good Samaritan which seems to be a great skit and lesson in any language. The kids enjoyed pretending to beat up their friend, then ignore him, then help him. Giggles and mistakes and the caring ending.

Then there were dances and speeches and there was Thulasi again, the girl from the beginning, standing up strong and brave to give the longest speech yet. It was about giving dignity to both girls and boys, an appeal to educate both men and women, a reflection on the lack of opportunity women can face in India.

And she’s right. She’s only maybe 15 years old but she sees the disparity. She wants a chance, for herself and for all girls. And she was proudly declaring it in both her speech and in her demeanor. She knew her own dignity.

I wondered where her confidence came from. Many in poverty struggle, feeling less than, feeling not as valuable, feeling shame. It’s not true. We all have value and dignity, but we might not know it. That’s partly why The Hope Venture exists. In Thulasi’s village we run a feeding center and tutor the kids after school to give them some extra help. We want them to have a chance like everyone else. We want them to find hope and love. We want them to have the opportunity to rise above. Many are orphans or have been rejected by their dads and mostly can barely afford food, let alone school supplies. So life is tough and shame and heartbreak is often the norm.

But Thulasi was different. She was so strong, such a leader. And I’d like to tell you it was because of our center in her village. But our center is pretty new and she’s had this strength for awhile. She was contagiously spreading it to the kids at our center but her strength didn’t come from us. Even God, who I believe she loves, is not the only answer to her hope and strength. No, God had provided someone else to teach her this, if even for a short time. It began to make sense as soon as I saw her home.

She lived right across from the feeding center. She held my hand and urged me to come, pulling me and smiling. “Please ma’am come.” I stepped down a narrow passageway, tucked my head down to avoid what was hanging, then turned the corner. Already the garden with mangos and roses told a different story than the rainy, dreary day I was in. I took my shoes off and one more step into the house now and ahhhhh. The love. The beauty. The drawings on the wall. The fish tank- I don’t see many of those here. Then the photo frame of a man. I met her mom and brothers and sister and cousins and then was told, “yes, this was my father, he died six years ago. He was an artist.” The drawings on the wall were partly his, but partly several kids’ drawing as well.

Legacy. Love. Leadership. Thulasi had a dad that loved her, that inspired her, that was her hero. And it made all the difference in her life. She wanted to be just like him, follow in his footsteps. Draw like him. Draw for him. Carry on his honor.

It was refreshing in a village of extreme poverty to find a man who had not abandoned, not neglected, not rejected… and to find a daughter who was strong and confident, who knew who she was and who she wanted to be, who was leading her peers to do the same, and who was even advocating to the adults to hear their voices, to honor their dreams.

A moment for me that started with rain and muddy steps and narrow passageways, opened up to dreams and beauty and hope. May Thulasi have what she needs to carry her banner far and wide. May we grant her the respect she deserves. May her dad somehow even rest in peace, knowing his legacy lives on and his love mattered.