Project Hope Home Visits

What a wonderful day we had getting to visit children that embody the success of ZOE’s Giving Hope Empowerment Program. Many of the children we visited have been featured in ZOE’s monthly newsletters, so to some they may be a familiar face and story.

We spent the morning at the Maua Methodist Hopsital, which is across the street from our hotel. We began the day with a worship service with hospital staff. Stanley and Regan, our ZOE staff connections, spent the morning explaining to us the relationship between ZOE and the Maua Methodist Hospital, as well as the philosophy and structure of the Giving Hope program.

The Maua Methodist Hospital is an impressive program in itself. Deb and Pat spent time working here twenty years ago and they were amazed by the growth and changes on the grounds. We toured the hospital area, but mostly focused on their community health program. Through their community health department, they have worked with ZOE to help identify children that qualify for Giving Hope. Maua Hospital has been very forward thinking in their approach to HIV/AIDS. They explained that the infection rate in Maua is between 12-15%, which is an obvious contributor to the circumstances that lead to the orphans ZOE works with. Maua Hospital has been successful in increasing the number of people getting tested for HIV/AIDS, has over 1,000 patients on anti-retrovirals, and supports a program on reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS through childbirth. Much of the money they receive for their programs is from many NGOs and funding from the US government passed through legislation passed during the Bush years. It really was impressive to see the programs we only hear about in the news in action—the Maua staff pass along their thanks to the American people for their support because it IS changing lives.

Stanley and Regan took us to the Giving Hope office, which is on the grounds of the Maua Hospital. There they walked us through the philosophy of Giving Hope. The program works with children from many backgrounds: those representing child headed households, those living with grandparents or other family/friends, and those who’s parents are sick with HIV/AIDS. Once selected to participate, families are joined together into working groups. Each working group elects a group leader as well as a local community mentor. The groups are responsible for a variety of weekly and monthly meetings that serve as support groups and a means of measuring the progress of individual families. The idea and success of ZOE’s program is the community created within these working groups- when one family is not doing well or unable to do a certain task- the rest of the group works to help that family out. ZOE works with these families on many levels—financially to back startup business and farms, educationally to teach about hygiene, HIV/AIDS, skill sets such as sewing and baking, and spiritually by acknowledging that with God there is HOPE!

After understanding the Giving Hope model, we were able to visit several children that have been very successful as a result of the support they received through ZOE. All of these children illustrated- while cliché- all things REALLY are possible. We met Purity, Deacon, Nicholas, Jeramiah, and Mathuri all of whose lives have been dramatically changed by the Giving Hope program. All have a story of hardship, being orphaned and left with a life devoid of meaning, purpose, and hope. ZOE, through their model and a whole lotta God, have transformed these children into successful community leaders. They are able to care for their families, provide incomes through many venues, and are now smiling. It was an honor to visit their shops and businesses- be it sewing, a bakery, farm, or kiosk- and see the joy shining from their hearts as they described their journey. It was obvious that these children now had self worth, self respect, motivation, and giving hearts. To see the faces and hear from the children themselves is an experience none of us will forget.

We are looking forward to meeting children in the beginning stages of the Giving Hope Project tomorrow. Word is that we will be helping to build a house! Work gloves are on standby!!

Many thanks again for all of your support and prayers. We all miss you and love you lots!

Xoxoxoox case




Jim Miller would like to let his loved ones know he is well and truly blessed by the opportunity that OUMC has allowed him to be a part of. Today was our first real day and we saw the hospital as well as the Giving Hope Project. It is great to see the money being sent to Africa through the numerous agencies being used to suppress the hiv outbreak and it is working at the Maua Methodist Hospital. Also seeing the giving hope project live was unbelievable. Word cannot describe the feeling I feel from seeing these children and what they accomplished. See you soon. Jim


Mbote! Biso tozali malamu mosala ezali koleka se kitoko.Nzambe apambola bino nyonso.
Bobele bolingo! Godi Godar


From Teresa Nuttall: We had a wonderful day meeting orphans from Project Giving Hope. What most impressed me today was meeting Dickens. He was 12 when orphaned; a street kid for 3 yrs with no hope; was made part of the Giving Hope program. He now supports himself and 2 siblings and has plans to be married soon. I can’t wait until next week when I will receive my 1st tailored skirt from Purity. This has been an amazing day. Thank you to everyone who made it possible for me to come on this trip. Much love to Daniel, Stephen, and Elizabeth, I miss you three so much. Thank you David for manning the home front. I will never be able to say “thank you” enough and tell you how much I love you.

To Ray and Greg: Much more “evangelism” needs to be here. I have seen NO UNC or DUKE paraphernalia here! Don’t worry – Shannon and I are spreading the “GOOD NEWS”!

From Shannon Jones: Today was Amazing! It was so wonderful to meet those whom ZOE is designed to help. Their smiles are forever on my heart. The biggest thing for me today was to see the love of Christ on the faces of all of the people that are workers for and participants of ZOE and the Giving Hope Project. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the story of Ruth (since Yams are studying the book currently). For these children Yahweh God is their hope just as he was for Ruth. To Patrick, I love you and miss you sooooo much! I wish you could be here to share in the experience. Give Lance Hugs from Mommy!