Build Relationships. Break Poverty.

This first podcast episode of the year features HopeChest President and CEO, Ken Sparks.  Hear about significant victories from 2020, as well as Ken’s vision for the organization in 2021. You don’t want to miss these exciting updates! Support the show

For many, this year has been a struggle with mental health.  This month we are sharing an interview with Andrea Mazariegos and Jose Carlos Ramos, two Guatemala CarePoint Coordinators with backgrounds in psychology. To support children’s emotional health and provide discipleship during a season of lockdowns in Guatemala, they created an innovative program called a TEC Moment.  Learn all about their...

Having a resonant business is now about more than providing a great product or service. Did you know that 90% of Gen Z believes companies must act to help social and environmental issues and 75% will do research to see if a company is being honest when it takes a stand on issues. * Children’s HopeChest is stepping up to provide resources to businesses to launch their purpose into the world through...

How is the pandemic affecting one of the most impoverished communities in Kenya, and what is being done to meet critical needs and create opportunities for long-term change in that area?  Hellen Makani, dynamic leader of Mt. Elgone CarePoint shares captivating stories that will fill your heart with hope.  ____________________________________________________ The transformation that you hear about i...

Children’s HopeChest stands on the side of justice.  Hear from Ken Sparks (HopeChest President and CEO), Rachel Andrews (VP of Community Partnerships), and Mickey Gutema (Ethiopia Country Director) about how Children’s HopeChest’s core values promote racial justice.  Support the show

This month’s podcast episode is part two and the last of the multi-episode “day in the life” series featuring HopeChest’s Ugandan and Ethiopian in-country staff. Hear straight from Fikre, Yared, and Alex as they share stories from their daily work at HopeChest’s Ethiopia head office. Combined, these three leaders have 25 years of experience working in child advocacy. In this episode, Rachel makes...

While traveling last winter, VP of Community Partnerships, Rachel Andrews, sat down with Fikre, Yared, and Alex, who shared what their daily work is like at the head office in Ethiopia as Program Coordinators. In this episode, they share what the most rewarding and challenging aspects of their work are and how nonprofits are changing under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership. A quirky thing abo...

Combined, Ezra, Stella, and Philip have 15 years of experience leading communities in Uganda. Although Children’s HopeChest’s CarePoint community development begins by focusing on children, these three have a lot on their plates as they serve not only the children at their CarePoints, but their entire communities! These remarkable CarePoint Project Coordinators recently spent some time with Rachel...

Combined, Ezra, Stella, and Philip have 15 years of experience leading communities in Uganda. Although Children’s HopeChest’s CarePoint community development begins by focusing on children, these three have a lot on their plates as they serve not only the children at their CarePoints, but their entire communities! These remarkable CarePoint Project Coordinators recently spent some time with Rachel...

Not even a Colorado blizzard could stop these two from recording an episode for “Build Relationships. Break Poverty.”  In this month’s episode, Sam and Rachel (VP of Community Partnerships) talk through how HopeChest Guatemala’s programs are restoring dignity for children, their families, and entire communities. Samuel Montero has a passion for restoring people through the power of the Gospel of J...

We’re publishing our first podcast of the year, and this one is in celebration of our 25th anniversary! During this exciting conversation, Sally Townsend (Chairperson of the Board) and Ken Sparks (CEO and President) share: about the first moment they felt deeply connected to HopeChest’s mission what we’ve learned after 25 years of fighting the cycle of poverty around the globe  more about our clea...

We use the word “transformation” a lot here at Children’s HopeChest. Sometimes, when a word is used so often, it can begin to feel lackluster.  Today on the “Build Relationships. Break Poverty.” podcast, we are sharing six different stories of transformation to bring the word alive. Each story is unique and vividly depicts the transformation not only of the children at HopeChest CarePoints, but al...

Today we are delighted to share a special conversation with Rachel Andrews (HopeChest VP of Community Partnerships) and Masha Bodrova (HopeChest Russia Finance and Program Coordinator), who have been dear friends for 21 years.  In this month’s episode they discuss how HopeChest Russia has grown over the last 25 years, the decision Masha made that changed the trajectory of her life, and how buildin...

Do you remember the songs that have transformed your life? The songs that have met you on dark days and carried you to brighter seasons? Music's power to heal and encourage is universal, but today Londiwe Dlamini is sharing stories of music empowering youth in Eswatini. Londiwe is the Music Ministry Leader and spends her time mentoring the most vulnerable children in Eswatini's CarePoint...

Simon Okello is a man who makes instant friends. He has been working with Children’s HopeChest for over seven years and is Uganda’s Sponsorship and Communications Manager. In this position Simon gets to know the most vulnerable children and families in Uganda’s CarePoint communities and manages the processes of children joining and exiting the sponsorship program. He is loved by children at all of...

This year Children’s HopeChest is celebrating 25 years as an organization and we’re reflecting on where it all started.  Katya Celenina, HopeChest Russia Country Director is recognized for her expertise in older orphan care, not just at HopeChest, but across Russia. She is one of HopeChest Russia’s most valuable assets! In this month’s episode, Katya shares about HopeChest’s beginning, how HopeChe...

Why doesn’t HopeChest allow travelers to bring bags full of toys to hand out to children? Why are HopeChest trips called “partner visits” and not “mission trips?” Why do we ask travelers to never leave behind money for children or locals? Why don’t travelers build or complete short-term projects while they’re visiting? All these questions and more answered by Guatemala CPM, Stephanie Mutert, who h...

Today we have a fun episode of “Build Relationships. Break Poverty.” This conversation is with JoE, who has spent at least 20 years emotionally supporting youth across various cultures, equipping adults to walk through grief counseling with vulnerable children, and delivering grief counseling training for HopeChest staff in Uganda and Eswatini. In today’s conversation we talk about some interestin...

Today we’re thrilled to share this conversation with Carolina Cardona, who is HopeChest’s Country Director of Guatemala. Carolina is a delight to speak with and this conversation is particularly encouraging. Carolina tells the story of her childhood and life story with graciousness and strength. We discuss many topics in this interview, including responding to the calling to serve and how Children...

On today’s episode of “Build Relationships. Break Poverty,” we’re sharing a conversation with Joseph, who is HopeChest’s Country Director of Uganda. Joseph’s vision and love for his country is incredibly inspiring and we are blessed as an organization to have a man with so much passion to invest in Ugandan youth. In this interview, Joseph shares about his childhood, how HopeChest’s work in Uganda...

Today we’re sharing a conversation with Mickey Taye, who is HopeChest’s Country Director of Ethiopia. Mickey is the newest Country Director to join the HopeChest team, but he’s already rocking the position with strength, insight, and passion for his work. In this personal interview, Mickey shares about his background in child advocacy, the opportunities and challenges that Ethiopia’s youth are fac...

On today’s episode of “Build Relationships. Break Poverty.” we are sitting down with Eswatini’s Senior Manager of Programs, Bheki Motsa. Bheki is one of three senior managers, oversees all HopeChest programs, and carries an instrumental position in all of the growth and development of work being accomplished in Eswatini. He completed training in the Swazi Leadership Academy, and is now one of Matt...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Gerber, HopeChest’s and Adventures in Missions’s Country Director of Eswatini. Matt’s dream is to see his country “heal itself from within” so that Africa can provide for the needs of its own people. We had lots of fun recording this episode and even discussed some surprising topics...including Matt’s birth weight! Of course, we also discuss challenges and op...