Fighting Poverty Globally

Through Homes for HOPE projects, we fight global poverty though

Christ-centered microenterprise development programs.

WHAT IS MICRO-ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT?

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Christ-Centered Micro-enterprise Development is more than simple charity, it’s a hand-up, not a hand-out.

The programs we support provide under-served families around the world with access to discipleship, safe places to save, business training, and small loans, equipping them to start and grow a small business, and empowering them to realize their true potential as providers and givers in their communities.

CLIENT STORIES

Read and watch some of the stories about clients around the world who have been impacted by the work of HOPE International.

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Read more stories of transformation.

We are continually blown away by the innovation and spirit of the families we serve, if you would like to read more of their stories – click the button below.
Read More Client Stories

Unlocking potential: earning a living with a disability in Haiti

Dumel Fontaine is a husband and father of three living in Les Cayes, Haiti. He’s always been committed to providing for his family—yet as someone without sight, he’s also almost always been barred from doing so. “My situation was … very catastrophic because I didn’t have a job until now,” he says. “There wasn’t enough clothing and food.” Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Bosco and his neighbors faced a new wave of challenges. As schools and businesses shut down, he says, “People here in the community had lost hope.” 

Around the same time, a fellow church member invited Bosco to join a savings group and attend an agrifaith program through Sowers of HOPE—HOPE International’s discipleship ministry that equips farmers through savings groups to proclaim the Gospel through agriculture.  

Oct 25, 2023 4 min read

Worship God in All You Do | Bosco Murengera Ntwari

Bosco Murengera Ntwari was frequently suspended from his school in rural Rwanda for not being able to pay his school fees. His father had left the family when Bosco was young, and with three other siblings, it was often difficult to make ends meet.

Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Bosco and his neighbors faced a new wave of challenges. As schools and businesses shut down, he says, “People here in the community had lost hope.” 

Around the same time, a fellow church member invited Bosco to join a savings group and attend an agrifaith program through Sowers of HOPE—HOPE International’s discipleship ministry that equips farmers through savings groups to proclaim the Gospel through agriculture.  

Oct 2, 2023 3 min read

How a restaurant in Ukraine is providing more than just good food

Once Artem and his wife Alina began the pattern of missing their church service to tend to their successful wedding business, they realized they needed to make a change. “We switched to the restaurant business,” Artem says. “My wife loved [food] from an early age. She used to cook delicious meals with her grandmother. You can say that this is [an important part] of her life.” Little did they know that switching to the restaurant business would allow them to serve more than just good food to customers. During the challenges of war, they would provide people fleeing violence with meaningful employment and nourish their hearts with God’s love.

Sep 5, 2023 3 min read

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HOW IT WORKS

Microfinance Institutions

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are banks designed to serve entrepreneurs in poverty by providing small loans, a safe place to save, and other financial services to help men and women invest in their businesses and provide for their families.

SAVINGS Groups

Savings groups are groups of individuals who save their money together in partnership with the local Church. As they build a secure sum of money, members often take out loans from their group to pay for household expenses or invest in businesses.

HOME IMPROVEMENT LOANS

These loans typically cover the costs of concrete floors, new roofs, indoor plumbing, and cement block walls. They are also occasionally used to construct or expand locales for businesses that were previously located in the associate’s home.

Microfinance Institutions

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are banks designed to serve entrepreneurs in poverty by providing small loans, a safe place to save, and other financial services to help men and women invest in their businesses and provide for their families.

SAVINGS & CREDIT ASSOCIATIONS

Savings and credit associations (SCAs) are groups of individuals who save their money together in partnership with the local Church. As they build a secure sum of money, members often take out loans from their group to pay for household expenses or invest in businesses.

HOME IMPROVEMENT LOANS

These loans typically cover the costs of concrete floors, new roofs, indoor plumbing, and cement block walls. They are also occasionally used to construct or expand locales for businesses that were previously located in the associate’s home.

IMPACT ON FAMILIES

Our goal is to support programs where families experience true and lasting change across four domains: spiritual, social, material, and personal.

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EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE

The families we serve are more able to secure a stable income, allowing them to better provide for their families needs, including food and housing for their families, education for their children, and vital medications and healthcare.
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SOCIALLY CONNECTED

The families we serve are placed in solidarity groups which are facilitated in local churches – providing opportunities for them to build stronger relationships within their communities and local churches.
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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

The families we serve are empowered to take their own ideas and dreams and bring them to life – emphasizing the personal calling and giftedness that they have and greater dignity and hope for the future.
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SPIRITUAL REVIVAL

The families we serve get to hear the gospel, and it is our hope that they come to a saving faith in Christ, evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit and active discipleship.

GLOBAL IMPACT

You partnership goes to support Christ-centered micro-enterprise development ministries in 16 countries around the world.

*Country names have been withheld for security.

 

AFRICA

Burundi

Kenya

Malawi

Republic of Congo

Rwanda

Tanzania

Uganda

Zambia

Zimbabwe

EASTERN EUROPE

Moldova

Romania

Ukraine

ASIA*

Indonesia

Philippines

South Asia*

Thailand

LATIN AMERICA

Dominican Republic

El Salvadore

Guatemala

Haiti

Paragua

Peru

98%

% of Loans Repaid
(Network Wide)

+2.5 Million

Clients Currently Being Served

2850

Clients Served by a Home For Hope

HOPE INTERNATIONAL FAQ

How does HOPE combine discipleship and poverty alleviation?
HOPE’s commitment to combining a witness for Christ with poverty alleviation begins with our staff. We believe staff cannot pass on what they do not have, so HOPE is committed to hiring staff members who have demonstrated a personal relationship with Christ. HOPE also provides opportunities for continued discipleship of our staff. Because HOPE-network staff members and loan officers are local to the areas they serve, they are aware of appropriate, culturally suitable ways to share the Gospel with the people they serve. One consistent opportunity comes through biblically based training that emphasizes good business practices in a Christ-centered context. HOPE also uses complementary ministries, including children’s ministries, to strengthen the local Church.
For what types of businesses can HOPE-network clients receive loans?
While the types of businesses clients use their loans for vary, some typical businesses include running small restaurants or grocery stores; growing crops and raising animals; sewing; selling produce, clothing, or baked goods; and car repair.
How do you decide who you will give a loan to?
The process varies across countries and programs. In many programs, HOPE relies on social collateral, lending to groups of people who cross-guarantee each other’s loans. As a result, members select others they believe will be able to repay. Loan officers provide training so clients are prepared to manage their loan, and they review a variety of factors in the approval process: business plans, amount requested, the current economic market, etc. In savings and credit associations, where members save their own money, the group decides if and when to loan to one another from their pooled savings. HOPE provides loans to people in poverty regardless of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, or marital status. There is no financial benefit or preferential treatment associated with conversion to faith in Christ.
What is a typical loan size for a HOPE-network client?
Loan sizes can vary significantly by country. HOPE typically provides loans ranging from $100 to $2,000 to people living in poverty. This capital is enough to develop a small business to help a family meet their needs including food, schooling, and housing.
Do people repay their loans from HOPE?

HOPE has a loan repayment rate of 97.5% in 2019.

Does HOPE only work with Christians?
HOPE serves people living in poverty regardless of their race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, or marital status. There are no financial benefits or preferential treatment associated with conversion to faith in Christ.
Does HOPE charge interest?
Yes, HOPE-network clients pay interest at a rate that will eventually enable each microfinance institution (MFI) to become self-sufficient. Interest rates are determined based on local context and are competitive and appropriate for HOPE-network areas of operation.
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