HOPE worldwide Australia
2015 Annual Report
|
|
Community at Moroma, PNG
|
“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
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
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.
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
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. 
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. |
Supporting HOPE worldwide
You can support us by:
- Donating: Check out our website at http://www.hopeworldwide.org.au/donate.html for more details.
- Join a HYC: We have trips to Port Moresby and Gumine in July this year, along with HYC in other locations around the world.
- Get involved locally: Have a chat with your local church HOPE rep about ways to serve in your local community (email: [email protected])
