We hope you are staying safe and healthy, and the summer is offering you some time to relax and recharge. The HOPe Helping Other People Board is working hard to offer some support to our long-standing projects in Central and South America, and the Caribbean during the pandemic. We’re inspired by the new models of virtual fundraising we’re exploring and look forward to announcing what HOPe is preparing for the fall shortly.
In the meantime, we're delighted to share some positive news from New York and from our partners on the ground in Peru and Honduras who paint a picture of survival and resilience during hard times.
The First HOPe Virtual Concert on Facebook Live was a Success.
Over 200 friends joined us “live” on July 12th at 7pm to listen to the talented Mickey Coleman, Erin Loughran, Margie Mulvihill & John and John Paul Reynolds in concert. Through your generosity, we raised over $9,000 to feed vulnerable children and their families living in the settlement of Huaycan, Lima. More updates below on Peru.
Mickey Coleman and family enjoyed the hundreds of friendly comments viewers shared throughout the concert. To date, the video has over 9.2K views. Here is a link to watch the house concert fundraiser on ON-Demand if you missed it.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=368393527469414
If you would like to contribute – you can donate on our website.
Hope springs eternal so please HOLD the DATE for our Manhattan Club Fundraising Dinner on October 13th. We will keep you updated on the situation.
Dispatches from our partners in PERU and HONDURAS:
PERU: HOPe has worked with Sister Rosa, a Peruvian Franciscan nun living in Huaycan, an improvised settlement outside Lima - for over 15 years. With your help, our nonprofit has provided funds to build and maintain a three-story red brick community center and school named, Santa Clara de Asis, and recently a new community kitchen building – photo below.
The center and kitchen cater to over one hundred and fifty (150) families daily. Many of the children suffer from TB, malnutrition and other health aliments associated with extreme poverty. Besides funds for education and nutrition, HOPe also provides funds for medical assistance. In addition, Board members have independently funded scholarships allowing students to become professionals in the fields of nursing, engineering, dentistry and more. Over the years, Board members have also visited the location to access the projects at their own expense.
Here’s some highlights from Sr. Rosa explaining COVID-19 impact:
“On behalf of our Huaycan community, I am extending my most sincere gratitude to HOPe, for the immense support that we have received from you over the years. Your organization has done wonders to help poor children and orphans, and the elderly and sick exist in a location that at times reminds me of a war zone.
Unfortunately, many of the group programs and services we offer the poor came to a halt with the Covid pandemic. Here in the community many neighbors have died and I am leading funeral services because the parish priest is very old and cannot go out. We are helping with food for widows and orphans, making masks to donate; and I have bought computer tablets for some children who have to study from home.
The situation is harsh for the whole world but for the poor it is even worst. In the middle of everything there are beautiful things happening such as solidarity, the spirit of service, and feeling close despite the distance. I am using the telephone to give psychological and spiritual help to those who have lost loved ones, and who have not been able to accept their departure. However, the day flies between smiles and tears and I thank God for being here, close to the poor. I am very grateful for you and for HOPe contributions. Blessings.”
HONDURAS: HOPe has been involved with the Sisters of the Medical Missionaries of Mary in Choloma, Honduras since we started almost twenty years ago. Choloma is a settlement of shacks and people living in dire conditions on the outskirts of San Pedro Sula, the second-largest city in the country.
We support the Sisters and the community with their education and healthcare programs. In education, HOPe provides funding for the uniforms and books that are required to attend the public schools, and in healthcare we support the main clinic and its important services. Our members have visited San Pedro Sula on numerous occasions (at their own expense) to access and encourage the work being done by the Sisters and the local community.
In 2020, HOPe provided a grant of $28,000 to the Honduras project. Due to the Covid pandemic, a delegation of board members had to reschedule a spring 2020 visit and will travel when it is safe. Again, at their own expense.
Recently we received a letter from Sister Renee Duignan, the Program Director, explaining her appreciation of HOPe’s support and what life is like during Covid-19.
Here’s some highlights:
“The rapid changes in our present time often make us pause and reflect. The challenge caused by the Corona Virus Pandemic now unites the whole world in a common goal for its control and eradication. The constant refrain heard is: “We may not die of the Corona Virus but we could die of hunger”.
Our Integrated Health Project “Casa Visitación Centre” which HOPe generously funds remained open until the third week of March. We are fortunate to receive a container late last year from the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, U.S.A. which has masks, gloves, and gowns to protect our staff and volunteers. We shared it with local groups and neighbors.
In April, we worked from our homes for our various programs. Some patients consulted with our Doctor by telephone. We visited over 30 families and gave them food, medicines and other medical supplies. The porch of our house had been a hive of activity making up food baskets for the impoverished in our area.
Unfortunately, water is in short supply in the more deprived areas and domestic violence and abuse are on the increase. Some people with the infection or those under suspect are experiencing discrimination. However, overall, the people rally together and help each other.
At the beginning of May, we reopened the Center and continue our services. We had to employ a second Doctor to care for the patients in the Dispensary. We are grateful to HOPe and your supporters and want you to know your donation is being put to good use. Thank you for making it possible for us to continue our work. ”
Next month, we’ll share some updates on our Dominican Republic school project expansion spearheaded by Billy Sullivan and Paul Green.
Thank you for your ongoing friendship and support. If you would like to donate to HOPe you can click on the button below.
Or you can send a check to:
HOPe Charity at 941 McLean Ave, Suite 476 - Yonkers, NY 10704
Enjoy the rest of the summer and stay well.
Attracta Lyndon, HOPe President
and the HOPe Board.