Moved to Make a Difference
What makes you cry? On Friday, April 12, World Hope International Canada held its 6th Annual Spring Gala at Kingswood University in Sussex, NB, and it was an incredibly moving experience. Over 130 people gathered to support the mission of using market-based, community-driven, enterprise solutions to empower, protect, and build resiliency.
The Gala highlighted passionate speakers and raised $21,300 for The Hope Fund to ensure that hope never goes ‘on pause’. Board Chair, Rev. Mark Parker, said “we are thrilled with Tanya’s leadership and passion for the mission of World Hope. She and her staff put on a fantastic event that challenged us showed us how our giving is making a difference and reminded us of why we partner with World Hope.”
Dave Flanagan, board member and business owner of ifoodquipment.ca, shared that World Hope’s excellence in effective projects makes him cry. When he thinks about the impact made in the lives of the most vulnerable around the world, he becomes emotional and grateful to belong to an incredible organization that exists solely to serve those in need around the world.
Haley Clark, World Hope’s Director of Anti-trafficking and Gender-Based Violence initiatives, delivered poignant information about the state of human trafficking around the world. She also shared some of the impacts that World Hope continues to make in Sierra Leone through community outreach for those who are trafficked, parent-watch groups, a world-class recovery centre for survivors, and working alongside government officials to help change laws to protect those who are in danger of trafficking.
Rev. Deborah Gilbert represented Cornerstone Wesleyan Church in Hammonds Plains, NS, and illustrated the importance of global partnership. “Having the opportunity to speak at the Gala and hear from others was such an amazing night,” she reflected following the event. “World Hope is an incredible and trustworthy organization that goes above and beyond in their work.” Cornerstone has committed to partner with a village in Sierra Leone, working alongside village leadership and bring clean water, sanitation, and education over the course of 3 years.
It was a joy to meet with and speak to this passionate and receptive group of people at the gala. Their interest in learning about the protection work of WHI and considering partnering with us in it was incredibly encouraging! I am so passionate myself about our protection work at WHI and am very proud of the work we are doing to change lives.
Village partnerships allow churches to come alongside a community to help break the cycle of poverty and sickness. Cornerstone is looking forward to seeing our partnered village thriving and self-sustainable. But most importantly, we are excited to see how God is able to work within the lives of those on both sides of the partnership.
Working together with people around the world continues to fuel the mission of World Hope International Canada. We were reminded of the importance of believing in what we give to; of understanding the complexity of the challenges we work to resolve; and being okay to show emotion when we are sad or shocked about realities or awed by resiliency and the impact of sustainable transformation. We move forward together by giving, praying, supporting, sharing, learning, and ultimately, working as team to make a difference through World Hope International Canada. We move forward to join hands with communities around the world and invest in the lives of others; empowering them to a better future and a greater hope.
Gifts to The Hope Fund allows us to increase our capacity to provide opportunity, dignity, and hope. It empowers us to strategically strengthen our programs, to protect the vulnerable, and to respond to crisis when and where it matters.
