HOPE worldwide Australia
2015 Annual Report

HOPE in Australia

A number of new initiatives have been introduced while established programs have been strengthened and supported. ​​The Board of HOPE worldwide (Australia) continues to take its responsibilities both energetically and seriously. We thank those who have contributed to the Board and in particular to two people who have provided active and wise counsel over their time in this service. We particularly wish to thank Matt Beanland and Dr. Bronwyn Howell for their reliable, faithful and selfless service. They will now step away from Board responsibilities, but leave behind a sound legacy of thoughtful and respectful Board practice, solid decisions based on faithful service to the poor and will leave the Board having contributed to the development of strong governance, harmony and strength.
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HOPE 2015 AGM in Brisbane with Graham Gumley (right) speaking
Jun Pablo, is a recent addition to the board- he is a member of the Melbourne Church of Christ and has served as a doctor in Cambodia. He was appointed to the board at the AGM in October 2015. Mark Timlin has, again this year, quietly and respectfully undertaken his essential role as Country Director. Significant effort is still required to mentor the PNG programs as they mature and move to increasing self-sufficiency. The development of local programs - large and small, short term and persisting – will be a growing part of the work as the PNG programs increasingly mature and local autonomous skills develop. Wayne Merry serves as company secretary and manages the Australian accounts as well as providing technical support for PNG.

HOPE in PNG

HOPE worldwide (PNG) has been operating for 21 years, delivering multiple programs, some of which have matured whilst others requiring revision. Health-related programs are being strengthened, particularly the 9 Mile Clinic. New avenues continue to be explored for supporting the needy within our churches and the wider communities. Education programs look to become more of a focus in 2016. The HOPE worldwide PNG Board has been strengthened by the addition of Felix Tokwepota, who also leads the Port Moresby Church of Christ.

HOPE worldwide (Australia)’s partnership with HOPE worldwide (PNG) has provided multiple levels of support over many years. In 2015 this support helped to secure land for the Gumine Clinic and install water tanks at 2 locations.
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Visitors from Sydney and Melbourne travelling to Gumine

Providing opportunities for Service

Perhaps the most prominent and effective programs for volunteer activities are those of the HOPE Volunteer Corps. These mission team efforts help connect willing and skilled volunteers from our churches and areas of need in a coordinated and well-planned manner. These programs foster personal development, leadership skills and strengthen commitment to compassionate love and care. Following a successful Volunteer Corps to PNG in December 2014, a HOPE Youth Corps took place in Fiji in December 2015. This involved a group of 25 volunteers from our churches around the world (Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, USA and Switzerland) in service projects in the Fiji Islands. Activities were facilitated by the Suva Church of Christ and included repair work to a primary school, visiting and spending time with children at an orphanage, living at a rural village, coordinating a summer school program and setting up a library for the village children. 
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Team HYC 2015 - Fiji at Wesley School, Suva
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Seniors afternoon tea with the Melbourne “Super Singles”

Local programs

For many years the principal activities of HOPE worldwide (Australia) have been undertaken in PNG and responding to needs overseas. With the establishment of local HOPE REPS in all of the Churches a growing focus on local service programs has begun to show fruit. Regular conference calls with the HOPE Reps, moderated by Mark Timlin, have provided coordination of activities and generated support and fresh ideas. Current programs include:
We would like to express our thanks to the HOPE Reps: Brisbane—Erik Lens Van Rija, Sydney—Phil Bohringer, Perth—Jon Lucas, Melbourne—Franc Snoeks, NZ—Dave Bliley, and Gold Coast—Wayne Thornton, for taking on this new responsibility and looking forward in faith to growing opportunities for engaging disciples in local service programs. 
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“Coffee for a Cause” to raise funds for HYC Fiji 2015

Finances 2014-15

Grateful thanks go to Wayne Merry. Wayne has sacrificially travelled to PNG on multiple occasions to continue to assist HOPE PNG with their financial management allowing them to grow in their management skills as they seek to righteously handle the donated funds they manage in order to see their work completed.

We are grateful for the ongoing financial support from so many. The financial standing of HOPE worldwide Australia has improved over this year as detailed in our financial report. This is available at our website (hopeworldwide.org.au/members.html).

I would like to thank the members for their enthusiasm, service and support this year.

Graham Gumley

HOPE Youth Corps - 2015

HYC 2015 - Philippines by Hannah Casihan

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Hannah sharing her experiences of the HYC 2015 - Philipinnes
To be honest, I didn’t really expect anything at the start. I was excited, yes, but didn’t know what would happen. To my surprise I found that the people I met completely took my heart away. Looking back, I was there to help but was given to and experienced so much more than what I gave. A cliché but it is so true. Who would have thought that I could contribute to building a house? There I saw people that were just like me, but were in great need. Their attitude and outlook on life is something that to this day I am still in awe of and probably will be for the rest of my life. They choose joy over despair, gratitude over complaining. It reflects what Paul says in Philippians Chapter 4, being content in any and every situation.
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House built by HYC Philippines 2015 volunteers
If there is one thing that can define this trip for me, it is the value of a sack of rice, something that most of us have never lacked. I have personally never experienced what it is like to go hungry but to see the family that we were serving be grateful for anything and everything that we gave them, was very humbling. I was humbled by the fact that we were able to provide groceries, which would last well over a month and even more humbled when the mother in the family said this was the first time in her life to have a whole sack of rice. Each and every day the family would survive on whatever the husband caught while fishing for the day (usually bringing home around 4-6 dollars). This fed a family of 5. Despite the limited food, they were still joyful, grateful and loving. Seeing how they lived daily made me realise just how much I complain about little things that don’t go my way. Talk about ‘first world’ problems. The way I live my life was put into perspective.
 
This whole trip showed me that I could definitely give more, love more and share more. Above all else, I saw just how important it is to be rooted in God because without His help I would not have had the strength to help build a house, go fishing, do a puppet show and many other things. So now I come back with renewed eyes and gratefulness. I have decided to not look at a person and just see their need but to act and love them just like Jesus. I am thankful and humbled for the opportunity that I was given to serve, but more importantly, I am grateful for the lessons that I learnt on how to give, serve and love.

HYC 2015 - Fiji by Patrick Hakenson

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Patrick sharing his experiences at the 2015 HYC-Fiji
For the second week we set off to Nailega village and when we got there we were officially welcomed by a traditional Fijian ceremony which allowed us to be a part of the village family. After that we were paired up with our roommates and then sent to our host families for that week.
 
One thing I learned about Fijians- they are some of the friendliest people on the planet.
I was already amazed by what they did for us in the village, which was above and beyond what I was expecting. They gave up their homes, cooked for us and served us in anyway they could think of. They gave their absolute best and treated us like family.
 
During the days at the village we renovated a small library, stocked it with books, and played, sang and taught the kids. One thing that stood out to me was how simple life was. People were content with the little they had. We worked tirelessly through the week and by Thursday our work there was done. We finished off with a little celebratory concert- we acted out a skit, sang songs and danced. The whole village attended and seemed to absolutely love every moment of it.
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Victoria Leigh with children in Nailega village at a holiday school program
All up, it was a spectacular trip, a great experience and a real eye opener. I felt in some way it was like re-living Acts chapter 2 in the Bible, how the Christians in the first century lived as a community: always together, whether praying, having meals, working, sharing their faith or just hanging out. I think this is a bit like what heaven will be like.
 
Coming back to Australia, I realise how small and minute my ‘first world’ problems are and how important it is to live a humble life. If you haven't experienced a HYC or been involved in volunteer work of some kind then I would definitely recommend that you look into because it will give you a different perspective on life and the things we do.

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