During our honeymoon to the Philippines early 2011, Vince and I had the privilege of spending few days with the founder of HOP-E (http://www.hop-e.org/) Ps JayJay and Ps RJay visiting the indigenous villages remote to Manila.
The first hand experience of life for families trapped in poverty was heartbreaking. Kids eating only one meal a day, travelling to most places by foot and only ever get to wear donated clothes. Oral hygiene is a foreign concept to many and if unfortunately one falls sick, the family can only hope for the best. All of this make up the hard facts & statistics we read every day about third world countries (http://www.hop-e.org/
We were overwhelmed to see the stark contrast between the rich/glamorous part of Manila and the poorly resourced villages where families are only surviving on minimal. My mind had a hard time accepting the sad reality of inequality and the challenging living condition many young kids are confronted with.
Fortunately, Jayjay and RJay saw the critical needs amongst the impoverished communities through a scavenging experience in 2007 which then led them to the God-inspired vision of bridging the gap between poverty and opportunity. HOP-E foundation (Helping Overcome Poverty through Education) was then officially established in 2008 with the goal of empowering the disadvantaged individuals through the four E's - Education, Employment, Empowerment and Events (for full mission statement of HOP-E please visit http://www.hop-e.org/
One of HOP-E's current projects involves establishing learning centers throughout the indigenous villages in Pintong Bukawe. These centers cater mainly for kids who live too far from government funded schools and offer the opportunity to be educated and equipped with self-sustaining skills (eg. farming and domestic skills) hence allowing the kids to escape the viscous cycle of poverty.
Our personal visit to the learning centers and the prospective organic plantation site has helped us to realize the enormous potential that exists within the helpless and needly when given only a little bit of resource and the equal opportunity to be educated.
Vince and I are deeply inspired by the impact HOP-E has already made in Pintong Bukawe simply because two very courageous men put their hands up to a God-size dream. We know that the work of HOP-E has merely begun and if anything the projects are everything BUT done. HOP-E will require the help and sweat of every willing and faithful individual to see the big picture unfold and visions actualized at God's timing.
It is very exciting to be part of something worthwhile and life-changing. We don't know where will the stirring in our hearts eventually lead us, but upon finding out that what we raised with our families and friends at our wedding allowed HOP-E to secure the church building "A Place Of Hope" in Pintong Bukawe which is now a home and shelter to many in the villages, we are reminded again of the greatness of our God who is behind every miracle and great commission.
We are just so encouraged in our hearts to continue to invest our prayers, time and finance into such vision that is literally changing the lives of many children everyday.
If you are stirred in your hearts in any way after reading this blog, consider the possibility that you can also make a difference too! Please contact us at claireandvince@gmail.com to find out more about how you can play a part in supporting the HOP-E initiatives.
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