HOPE INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AGENCY by Sophie Bectarte
Images provided by HOPE.
HOPE works to “extend compassion to the world’s poorest in a continued effort to create a sustainable solution to poverty...”
H
OPE is about connecting people: the world’s poorest families and those who care about them. Since 1975, HOPE International Development Agency has been working in Africa, Asia, and the Americas to extend compassion to the world’s poorest in a continued effort to create a sustainable solution to poverty and create a world where people have healthy lives and bright futures. With over 30 years of service, HOPE has helped millions of people climb out of absolute poverty. HOPE Japan was established in Nagoya in 2004 and its mission is to help people in Japan connect in a meaningful way with people in the poorest communities of the developing world through compassionate giving, understanding, and education. Through HOPE’s Global Education activities, the aim is to increase awareness in Japan and to demonstrate that providing an opportunity for self-help is paramount for sustainable economic and social development. HOPE undertakes and supports peopleoriented development projects that create longterm sustainable benefits through training for income-generating skills and development of family and community infrastructures for clean water, education, employment, health care, and food production. Advice for Renegades, A Tip From Anna: When to Push Through Your Fear “I knew it in my gut,” we say. “I just had a bad feeling.” Gavin de Becker writes in Protecting The Gift that this little frisson of fear is one of the most powerful intuitive gifts we have. We override our animal instinct at our peril, and we should nurture it in our children. But sometimes fear keeps us trapped in safe but narrow lives, far from our dreams. How can you tell which kind of fear you’re feeling? Martha Beck explains
Hope’s projects are accomplished with the the skills of local people combined with the help of volunteers and the charity of people in Japan (locals and foreigners) who want to make a difference. There are many foreign women who help HOPE as volunteers, such as Sophie from France, who has been helping HOPE since March 2009: “Having the opportunity to make
In Japan, you can also participate in their fundraising events throughout the year. These include the Mount Fuji Charity Climb, charity golf tournaments, fitness challenges, and galas. Last spring, HOPE International also organised the HOPE at the Hilton Week in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Many great events were featured during this special week in order to increase awareness and support sustainable
OPE undertakes and supports people-oriented development projects that create long-term H sustainable benefits through training for income generating skills...
the most of my spare time in Japan to dedicate it to the poor was, for me, evidence of what good things can be accomplished. Not only is this very rewarding and exciting, but I am also very happy to encourage these projects, especially during the hard times we’re going through all over the world. People in developing countries need our help, and contributing to this with people who have the same values and goals in life is, for me, so fantastic.” HOPE encourages people to be actively involved in the lives of the poor and there are many ways for volunteers to to make a difference by donating time, skills, and energy—or, most importantly, helping with fundraising.
development projects. These events included luncheon seminars, auctions, ‘Relax for Charity’ (a 30-minute massage for only ¥2,000), and the ‘Charity Cut,’ a very popular event where top stylists from around Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka provided haircuts for only ¥2,000! A new HOPE at the Hilton Week will be happening this fall, so stay tuned for more details. HOPE’s membership program is a great first step in getting involved to make a difference in the lives of the poor. If you are interested in joining the HOPE Family and helping to change the world, more information can be found at www. hope.or.jp. HOPE looks forward to welcoming BAB you as a member!
the difference with this metaphor: Imagine standing on a high dive. It’s very, very high. Now look down. Are you about to dive into cold, clear water—or into toxic waste? One will feel terrifying but clean. The other will feel sickening, nauseating. That icky feeling is a clear warning—a no—from every instinctual part of you. Honour that wisdom. And if the situation twinkling far below feels scary but thrilling, take the plunge! Anna Kunnecke is a life coach living in Tokyo. www.annakunnecke.com
Being A Broad June/July 2010
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