Hope Notes Issue 18

Stories of hope from around the world

ISSUE 18 THE OFFI CI AL PUBLI CATI ON OF FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY (FH) CANADA

T HE GR A DUAT ION IS SU E

Not Poor Anymore Cambodian families leave poverty behind

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Graduation: How it Works!

An infographic on how we get there together • PAGE 12

Travel Journal Canadian revisits Uganda

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PAGE 8

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Where Are They Now? A snapshot of formerly sponsored kids in San Cristobal

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23 ISSUE 18 FALL/WINTER 2015

Not Poor Anymore Celebrate graduation with Anlong Veng, Cambodia!

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Travel Journal: Trusting the Process Canadian partners embrace new community in Uganda. PAGE 8

And we both FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY move on to help Relational Relief (FH) CANADA’S SEASONAL PUBLICATION Beyond tarps and water filters. PAGE 18 others along the same journey!

Ten Short Years of Remarkable Change in Rwanda

Pineapple power and new foundations. PAGE 20

Putting it All on the Line

300 Containers of Hope... and Counting!

Field staff in Cambodia tell their stories. PAGE 10

IMED celebrates landmark shipment. PAGE 22

Graduation: How it Works!

Goats Galore!

Getting there together. PAGE 12

Gift Guide animal life-line for Haitian farmer. PAGE 23

Fire in the Night

Soup for Kids

Jon Neufeld on tour. PAGE 15

Yes! You served thousands. PAGE 23

Where Are They Now? San Cristobal Formerly sponsored kids in Guatemala take the lead.

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

Content and editorial contributions from Scott Anderson, Eryn Austin Bergen, Amber Bauer, Nova Hopkins, Michael Nothum, Soohwan Park, Lynn Perez, Mark Petzold, Michael Prins, Rodney Rascona, Noun Romono, Seng Silean, Tip Sophea, Amalia Toc, Bernie Willock, Carissa Youssef, and other valued FH staff and friends.

Layout by Carl Sheldon.

FH CANADA is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to providing long-term relief to those stuck in poverty through sustainable community development. As part of the global Food for the Hungry (FH) network, we currently work in nine countries around the world.

Through project development, child sponsorship, emergency relief, and medical equipment distribution, FH Canada strives to meet the physical, spiritual, social, and educational needs of each man, woman, and child living in poverty.

What a difference a year makes! Reading through this issue, I realize that I have had the privilege of visiting almost all of the communities featured and spent time with many of the people highlighted in the following articles. Without a doubt, the greatest joy of my first year as President of FH Canada has been witnessing relational, spiritual, and economic transformation in communities spread across three continents.

It is our desire with each issue of Hope Notes to give back to you, our generous Canadian partners, the stories of dreams fulfilled.

The ambassadors of hope that work tirelessly toward our goal of graduation are our amazing national field staff like Tip Sophea, whom I met in Cambodia in February (see p. 4, 11). She embodies the light and hope of our FH ethos. It is love that compels us to respect diversity, restore dignity, and reconcile decades of deep-rooted disappointment in communities around the globe.

Dear friends, thank you for your ongoing friendship and partnership. Alone and isolated we are vulnerable, but together we can overcome the challenges that keep us stuck.

In faith, with hope,

As a Certified Member of the Canadian Council for Christian Charities, FH Canada meets the stringent standards set by the CCCC for accountability and organizational integrity.

5.3% ADMINISTRATION AND RUNNING COSTS 14.1% INVESTED TO GENERATE FUTURE INCOME 80.6% BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

CHARITABLE REGISTRATION NUMBER: 132152893RR0001

Bernie Willock

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FH CANADA 1 — 31741 Peardonville Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 1L2 T 604.853.4262 TF 1.800.667.0605 F 604.853.4332 info@fhcanada.org www.fhcanada.org

ISSUE 18

I saw real transformation because people’s worldview and mindset have changed, their attitudes have changed.

TIP SOPHEA

“Not Poor Anymore” Anlong Veng, Cambodia Celebrates Graduation

BY E R Y N AU S T I N B E R G E N , N O U N R O M O N O, A N D S E N G S I L E A N

Our Promise: to graduate communities out of poverty in 10 years.

Dust off your party dress, shine your shoes, don your brightest cap - it’s graduation time! Community graduation is about real people and their unique stories. It’s a time to celebrate achievements, hear testimonies of changed lives, and rejoice together at a job well done.

Food for the Hungry (FH) promises to graduate communities out of poverty in 10 years - an audacious promise, indeed. Were it not for the remarkable individuals who make up these communities, it would be a downright foolish promise. But the truth is - they’ve done it! The eight communities of Anlong Veng, Cambodia have achieved their development goals and are gearing up for graduation. They are ready to move themselves forward into a poverty-free future. And that’s the sign that it’s time for FH to bow out, to step aside, to raise a glass and offer a toast to the communities who joyfully don’t need them anymore.

Eight years ago, Anlong Veng was a cluster of communities struggling to make ends meet. They lacked clear leadership, neighbourly trust, agricultural knowledge, financial skills, childhood education, and a unified vision. Their assets, however, included hard working individuals, loving parents, energetic teens, fertile land, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a desire FHCANADA.ORG

Anlong Veng, Cambodia A cluster of 8 villages OUKOKIR KANDAL P O P U L AT I O N 1,125 FA M I L I E S 250 OUKOKIR KORUM P O P U L AT I O N 544 FA M I L I E S 128 LUMTONG THMEI P O P U L AT I O N 822 FA M I L I E S 181 TOUL TREAS P O P U L AT I O N 682 TOUL PRASAT P O P U L AT I O N 760 OU ANGRAE P O P U L AT I O N 1015

FA M I L I E S

154

FA M I L I E S

193

FA M I L I E S

248

TRAPEANG TAOV P O P U L AT I O N 1001 FA M I L I E S 230 PHUM THMEI P O P U L AT I O N 852

FA M I L I E S

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to change their circumstances. Together with FH, community leaders laid out a plan to expand their opportunities and get from stuck to thriving.

Today, confident leaders are strategically placed and committed to keeping their communities on track. Trained and motivated volunteers are stirring up excitement and making the wheels turn. Small business owners are prospering and bringing much needed goods into their communities. Women and men alike have access to opportunities and are working together to build each other up.

Tip Sophea is an experienced FH Cambodia leader who has had a front row seat to the transformation taking place in Anlong Veng over the past decade.

This is a snapshot of what she not only witnessed, but personally experienced.

“Over these years I have witnessed so many changes. I saw real transformation because people’s worldview and mindset have changed, their attitudes have changed. [In the beginning] there was no trust. Their lack of cooperation was very evident; they refused to work together as a community.

Today, the picture has changed.

In the last three years, community leaders rallied their people to raise $2300 CAD in order to fix the 910 meter road in Oukokir Kroam.

The community has a great sense of ownership of all the success they have achieved and there is cooperation and participation in development activities. Trust is visible: they entrust their [financial] resources to one another in Savings and Loans Groups. The most encouraging part is the social fund that these groups set aside in order to meet the community’s needs and address social problems.

There is a steady increase in income from agriculture projects.

Because money is readily available, children are able to enroll in school. Leaders and parents now understand children’s rights and how to protect their children, especially from human trafficking.

I like it when I see parents personally bringing their school-aged children to enroll in school. Children are achieving much higher education levels than before. In fact, some of them have already landed jobs and help their families. We see young people taking initiative in teaching younger children and they try their very best to be a good example for them.

I can see that the community members have a deeper sense of pride and joy about what they have accomplished. “

Annually, village leaders, school headmasters, and teachers gather to discuss goals to improve the quality of education for their children. They plan school improvements and how to help families who are either unable to send their children to school or who have given up altogether.

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To get an inside perspective on the changes in Anlong Veng described by Sophea, we asked four community members to describe their experiences over the past eight years of partnership with FH. These are their stories.

Leadership: Mr. Tho Lonn

57, VILLAGE CHIEF, O KOKIR KANDAL VILLAGE

Tho Lonn weeding his garden.

“The living condition in my village before partnering with FH was very traditional – we had no new ideas and we didn’t understand what the word “development” means. There was not enough food to eat; people had no trust of one another; they did not work together and children did not go to school.

At first, I was not interested in “Community members participating with FH activities at started to trust one all. They did not give us anything, another, something we they only did trainings – and there were a lot of trainings! However, were not used to.” the staff kept coming and they really encouraged us to work together. Community members started to trust one another, something we are not used to. FH staff walked with us closely, teaching us lots of technical skills. Now I understand what it means to say “human resource” - people living with knowledge and skills working together as a community, helping one another to improve the way we live.

Of the 250 families living in Ou Kokil Kandal, 250 have rice all year long!

I see Savings and Loans as the reason why the people in this village have changed for the better. We have 10 Savings Groups; people come regularly every 13th of the month to pay their loans and save their money. Savings Groups allowed us to have some startup funds to start our own businesses. We do not lack food like before. Now children have the chance to go to school. I am so thankful for the changes that have happened for our children.

I feel sad that FH Cambodia is leaving, but we understand that the work has a beginning and an end. I can promise that I will hold everything dear in my heart and will make sure that we continue to practice everything that we have learned.

As a representative of my village, I would like to say my deepest thanks – especially to the people of Canada - thank you for deciding to help us, especially my village. To all the Canadian supporters - may all of you, including your families, have peace in your heart, be in good health, and may you always be successful in all your plans.”

Over 90% of school aged children are enrolled in school in five of the communities. In the other three communities, over 60% of school aged children are getting a quality education.

FHCANADA.ORG

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Entrepreneurship: Phorn Va 39, FATHER OF THREE CHILDREN, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, TOUL TREAS

“Before FH came, this grocery shop I have was very small, only 4m x 4m and the goods I sold were limited to basic grocery items – salt, sugar, garlic, seasoning, vegetables, rice, shampoo. There were not a lot of customers, either. Even though I had a small business it could hardly meet all my family’s needs. I was poor.

I was chosen by the community members to become an officer of the Village Development Committee. I was so interested in FH work that I became a Savings and Loans Group leader, too. I joined trainings on agriculture and health, but I really focused on learning the processes to form and manage a Savings Group.

Through the Savings Group, I was able to borrow some money for the expansion my business. Now I have extended the size of my shop to 4.5m x 7m.

The items I sell are more varied - rice, noodles, beef, meat, fish, vegetables like beans, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, eggplant, morning glory, onion leaf, cucumber, coconut, fish paste, fish sauce, shampoo, drinks, and ice to keep everyone cool. Today, I can earn around 50,000 R ($15.75 CAD) per day to support my family. I can say that my life is way much better now and we are not poor anymore.

“I am committed to my Savings Group and I will continue to help manage it so that it keeps running successfully to help those in need.”

I am determined that even as FH goes to help another poor village, I will do my best to continue my business. I am committed to my Savings Group and I will continue to help manage it so that it keeps running successfully to help those in need.”

“After FH came to help develop my village, I became a volunteer.

During that time I also learned some agriculture techniques. For example, vegetable planting, animal raising, making organic compost and natural pesticide. FH staff is such a great encouragement to me; they always came for home visits and were coaching me. Through them I understood the value of education and why I should allow my children to go to school and join a children’s club.

“We want to say thank you to all the people of Canada, for all your support so we can improve here in Cambodia.”

Now I grow a vegetable garden using the techniques I learned from FH. I plant cucumber, wax gourd, morning glory, mint, pumpkin, corn, long beans, cabbage, onion leaf, chili, cassava, and rice. Our food is not a problem anymore and I can earn 30,000 R to 40,000 R ($9.46 CAD - $12.60 CAD) per day by selling my vegetables.

Now my family is very happy because we are far from who were before - we have enough food to eat, our health is good, and our children go to school regularly. We appreciate all you do from your country to see good things happen to us.”

Volunteerism: Chea Charka 43, FIVE CHILDREN, VOLUNTEER, TOUL TREAS VILLAGE

Chea Charka’s cucumber jungle.

Six of the eight communities are 95% - 100% food secure! The remaining two communities have self-identified as 80% - 95% food secure.

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61 Savings and Loans Groups across eight communities continue to empower and prosper hundreds of families. Of the 884 members, 640 are women.

During the last three years, extensive training has been conducted across all communities touching every area of life: FOOD & FARMING:

Improved growing methods for rice, cabbage, & mushroom farming Gardening skills How to raise pigs & chickens Animal health treatment & vaccinations How to make natural fertilizers & pesticides

HEALTH & HYGIENE:

Out of 154 families in Toul Treas, 137 are using clean water. That’s nearly 90% of families no longer suffering water borne diseases.

Prevention & treatment of diarrhea, typhoid, Dengue fever, bird flu, & malaria Household hygiene Child healthcare Personal hygiene

MANAGING FINANCES: Maintaining a Savings and Loans group Keeping personal accounting ledgers

LEADERSHIP:

“I am a leader of a Credit Association in my village which resulted from our Savings and Loans Groups that came together. All the members in the Savings Groups have equal opportunity to borrow money – in one group we have more [than] 10 million riels ($3212 CAD) so we can start whatever project we can think of. We can [also] use the money to take care of our health when we get sick.

How to create a Village Development Plan Gender equality awareness Children’s rights awareness Domestic violence prevention Value of education Report writing

“We can solve our own problems now. I can see a very good future for us.”

Because I am an older member of this village and have lived here for a long time I [have] seen a lot of positive changes take place over these years. Before, our children died because of malaria, but now, we know how to manage this. I have observed that death because of malaria is not common anymore. We [also] learned how to make water filters and we actually do them by ourselves. We boil our water, too, so diseases and sickness are manageable. We can solve our own problems now.

I am so thankful for you, the people of Canada, connecting with FH Cambodia so that we have risen above our situation – we have developed and improved from poverty because of the funds you send.

I feel sad that FH is leaving our district but I personally understand that they will go to the next district that is much poorer than us. So all I can say is, as a leader in this community, I will take responsibility.

I will be the one to continue to encourage the people in my village to put to use what they have learned from FH. I can see a very good future for us.”

FHCANADA.ORG

Nub Sambath poses with her husband.

Gender Equality: Mrs. Nub Sambath 54, MOTHER OF FOUR CHILDREN, VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER, TOUL TREAS

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LEARNING TO TRUST THE PROCESS FROM THE TRAVEL JOURNAL OF LYNN PEREZ, CAP CHURCH NASHISA TEAM 2015

I first visited Bufukhula, Uganda in 2013, attending their well-earned graduation ceremony from Food for the Hungry (FH) programming. After helping to support the partnership between my church and the community for nine years, for me, it was now or never.

Lynn (right) with formerly sponsored child Esther (left).

Nabukwasi Birra, Headmaster of Nashisa Primary School.

I felt like I was late to the party, though, arriving after all of the hard work had been done.

The graduation was a joyous occasion, but I, personally, didn’t come away elated. I had to face a few hard facts about the current situations of some of our sponsored children. While many families were benefiting greatly from the dairy program, not all families had yet received the benefit. As with most things, it would take time for everyone to get there. I felt there was still so much more that we could do for those children, and I wasn’t fully ready to let go.

My return trip to Uganda in March of this year started out with some reservations, some real concern about finding the same hard to accept situations I had witnessed during my Bufukhula visit in 2013. Yet this time, I had the benefit of being a “veteran ”- having more knowledge of the FH model and more fully trusting in what God had in store for our partners and for ourselves.

I wasn’t disappointed. Although my team and I were there to visit Nashisa, our new partnered community, we also had the opportunity to return to Bufukhula for a day. I was able to visit one former sponsored child, a teenaged girl named Esther. To my delight and relief, she continues to do very well in school, is involved in the community church, and her family had recently received a dairy calf.

This FH cow has enabled a proud farmer to send his children to university.

Lynn’s husband, Willie, walks with village children.

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ISSUE 18

Bufukhula leadership team.

The generosity of a Ugandan family - the gift of fresh eggs!

sed We also attended a Bufukhula leadership meeting and witnes offered staff FH the ent ragem encou firsthand the subtle wisdom and nge challe a e resolv to them ering empow the community leaders, regarding the licensing of the medical clinic. unity Having left Bufukhula behind, my church and I saw a comm ouring neighb the a, building on confidence. As we enter Nashis excited community to Bufukhula, we see a community filled with come. to anticipation of the changes FH model of During our visit, we came to fully understand how the long after our hula community development continues to work in Bufuk ended. there g), fundin partnership, as well as FH programming (and partnered new our in g workin And we were thrilled to see how it is now community of Nashisa.

As we enter Nashisa, we see a community filled with excited anticipation of the changes to come.

We are not there to meet every need. We are not there to tell the community what to do.

Rather, along with FH, we are there to offer support to build on the resources of what the communities have already. To empower them to solve their own problems. To help build their confidence. To show them how to strengthen community and how to support one another through our presence and our support.

be overcome and We left Uganda with a reinforced hope that poverty can – as spoken so often again unity comm red with the desire to revisit our partne . willing God from the lips of our hosts –

A woman weaves cloth to support her family.

FH field worker Irene.

Lynn (right) and husband Willie pose with Nashisa family and Cap team members.

FHCANADA.ORG

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Putting It All On the Line FH Field Staff in Cambodia Tell Stories of Transformation

BY ERYN AUSTIN BERGEN AND TIP SOPHEA

The field staff at FH Cambodia are the unsung heroes of the transformative process that leads to graduation. They live and work with the communities day in and day out - eating together, planting together, building together, and sharing the fullness of life together. They sacrifice stability and security to live among the poorest communities in Cambodia, but they also testify to receiving great rewards. As FH programming wraps up in Anlong Veng, the local staff are beginning to move to Boeung Mealea, the site of the next FH partnership and probably the poorest region in all of Cambodia. In these interviews, they share the challenges and joys of their journey with Anlong Veng, as well as their hopes and dreams for Boeung Mealea.

Tip Sophea FH Team Leader, Boeung Mealea Tip Sophea has worked with Food for the Hungry (FH) Cambodia for nearly 16 years; she is married with two children. Sophea was first hired by FH as the facilitator for water and sanitation programs. After working in various capacities until 2007, she was promoted to the position of area team leader for Anlong Veng. Sophea has just transitioned to lead the Canadian-funded team in the community cluster of Boeng Mealea.

When I arrived in Anlong Veng in 2007, I had self-pity. I felt scared. Anlong Veng is known as the place where the former Khmer Rouge soldiers live. We worked in a village where the former Khmer Rouge leaders are holding power. I was afraid for my life.

Sophea facilitates a community leader activity.

It was extremely difficult to travel in and out of our partnered communities. Roads were impossible to travel on and bridges were broken. Sometimes floods would completely overflow some bridges, causing me to fall on my motorcycle. All my things and the documents in my bag would get wet.

Despite these situations, there was a sense of hope in my heart - I felt joy in what I was doing.

Despite these situations, there was a sense of hope in my heart – I felt joy in what I was doing. Deep within, I felt that I could trust the Lord; he was with me all the time and would not allow me to be harmed.

I decided to make Anlong Veng my home; I bought a small portion of land to live on. I tried to understand their culture and traditions. I observed the way they talked, I visited them, and I got to know the local leaders. FH believes that everything starts with relationships – this is the core of who we are. So I made myself available to all stakeholders, joining meetings and gatherings of leaders so that I could understand the real problems. I made sure I ate with them - sharing a meal develops trust and fosters cooperation.

[In the beginning], however, they refused to work together

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as a community. To make matters worse, before FH came to Anlong Veng, there were other agencies which provided so much material gifts to the people. This made village members overly dependent on and expectant of handouts.

When they heard that a non-governmental organization (NGO) was coming they perceived this as an opportunity to receive material resources and [for someone else to] do the work in their behalf.

FH does not take the place of local people to solve their own problems for them.

But FH, this is not what we are – we do not take the place of local people to solve their own problems for them; we do not have the solutions. FH has staff who have skills to facilitate [change] so that the community will become self-reliant by understanding their needs and problems very clearly. The staff are there as guides so that a dialogue can start and people will realize that they have many resources readily available to them. FH is a facilitator of a reflection process so that people will start making positive changes. Today, Anlong Veng communities have a great sense of ownership of all the success they have achieved and trust is visible with the way they work together.

There will be new difficulties and challenges when we move to Svey Leur to partner with the communities of Boeung Mealea. Electricity, water, and food are much more expensive there. And since this is the poorest area, it will be difficult to move in and out of the villages - some are impossible to reach in rainy season, so I am also concerned for the safety of our staff.

But, I am excited to see the potential for FH to facilitate the development of this poorest district! I believe in my heart I am here because I am one with the vision of FH that we will serve effectively to overcome all forms of poverty – I want to reach out to the community leaders, churches, and families to see this happen. I am committed to this calling that God has given me. I am happiest here.

On behalf of FH Cambodia and all the poorest communities we work with – I say thank you to the Canadians, churches, and other donor institutions that partner with FH Canada.

Thank you for setting aside your resources so you can help the poorest families in Cambodia. Because of your generosity, their lives are better now. I hope that you will continue to trust us to do our work faithfully here in Cambodia and you will support us in the new area of Boeung Mealea. We value your partnership. May God continue to bless us all, in Cambodia and Canada – I pray that all families will have food to eat and income to take care of their own. I pray for good health and protection for all of you at all times.

Sophea facilitates a community leader activity.

Some roads become impassable during rainy season.

Soldiers now an active part of community development process, Anlong Veng.

Article continued on page 14.

FHCANADA.ORG

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Graduation Who’s Graduating Next? v

2015 2016

2017

Nueva Imagen, Peru Santa Barbara, Peru Mymensingh, Bangladesh Sasiga Lowlands, Ethiopia Villa Hortencia II, Guatemala Kayanza, Burundi

Getting There Together Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada comes alongside communities stuck in poverty to support them as they reach for a better future.

Once they are equipped with skills, resources, and confidence, FH’s role in the process comes to an end, and they say farewell.

When a community partners with FH to design their own unique development plan - their own ideal and achievable future - a lot of things begin to happen.

• Child Sponsorship, allows children to attend school regularly while their parents are given access to skills training that will help them generate income.

• Gift Guide items pour inputs into the community to jumpstart the economy and put practical tools into the hands of hardworking individuals.

• New agricultural techniques and sharing of health education improve family nutrition, combat illness, boost incomes, and stabilize the environment.

• Savings and Loans Groups equip members with financial literacy and empower them to save for the future.

• Leadership development strengthens the community structure and provides a framework to meet new challenges and creatively resolve conflict.

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Together, the whole community advances toward their goals, toward a place of sustainable growth. From this position of strength, they can continue their journey out of poverty after saying goodbye to FH. Here’s how YOU help communities thrive.

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How it works!

Together we can end poverty.

FH walks alongside

Then FH invites

And we both move on to help others along the same journey!

FHCANADA.ORG

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Continued from page 11.

Noun Romono FH Community Facilitator Noun Romono is originally from Prey Veng in the southeast and has worked for FH in Anlong Veng since 2012, 500 kilometers from his home.

Romono has enthusiastically carried out his role as a Community Facilitator.

When I moved to Anlong Veng in 2012, I observed the bad roads and broken bridges; it was hard for children to go to school and for people to get in and out of the villages. Problems in the community made it difficult for parents to think about sending their children to school, so my role included facilitating school enrollment.

Romono teaching kids club.

But the people’s thinking has changed; they are not the same as when [they] lacked ideas to solve their own problems. Now they start a lot of initiatives on their own to make their condition better. I have learned so much from the local people and I also enjoy them in my personal life.

I learned so much from the local people and I also enjoy them in my personal life.

The FH staff don’t refuse to help with any job in the community. We even help carry wood if they are constructing a house or we plant their rice with them - we do whatever work they are doing when we are in the village. I can see and feel that the staff really love the poor.

I am willing to leave Anlong Veng and go with FH to Boeung Mealea because it is the poorest district in the whole of Cambodia. FH can do so much to help the poorest get out of poverty! We will need to adjust to the new environment, but I am excited to work with my team. We are like a family in FH Cambodia. Most of all, I will use my skills to help the poor have a better life - I am most happy doing that.

In my past role as community facilitator, I often did home visits with leaders, sponsored children, and volunteer teachers. Since joining FH, I can see clearly the meaning of partnership. FH staff work closely with other NGOs who are doing projects in the same area.

They know how to cooperate and work alongside one another. I truly believe this is the way to have more impact - to have good relationship with the people in our partnered communities and other institutions who have the same purpose as we do.

I especially like that we focus on equipping and empowering leaders so that they become responsible in leading their communities and interested in building up the next generation of leaders.

Seng Silean FH Team Leader, Anlong Veng Seng Silean began working with FH as a Community Facilitator in Okoki Kandal, Anlong Veng in 2010. Currently, she fills the role of an area Team Leader in Anlong Veng. Silean and her husband, Theara, have one son. Together, they plan to move to Boeung Mealea later this year to serve a new group of communities struggling with poverty.

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But the main reason I wanted to work with FH is because it is a Christian organization. Some [community members] have started to believe that Christians believe in a true God. My own side of the family is very interested in the changes in me because of my newfound faith. In fact, they have started to share the good news with our family members and people in my community.

I do have some worries about transferring to Boeung Mealea. I do not know the place very well and I am a little concerned about our safety. When we did the baseline survey, a lot of people are very secluded. While they have received handouts from other NGOs, they have never been exposed to FH development initiatives. I worry a little bit about whether or not they will participate with our activities.

My own side of the family is very interested in the changes in me because of my newfound faith.

Silean with her husband and little boy.

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Him Bunhen FH Community Facilitator Him Bunhen is a 31 year old Community Facilitator with FH Cambodia. He’s married with one little girl and has been living with his family in Anlong Veng since 2013 when he joined the FH staff.

I joined FH because FH focuses on partnering with the poorest of the poor and I have a commitment to see poor families improve their situation. I was also encouraged in [my] spiritual development because I am a Christian.

Buhen leads a training on mushroom farming.

FH staff sacrificially worked to reach the people in Anlong Veng. If leaders and villagers could only meet on the weekend, we worked on the weekend. We are close to the people in the community – we know one another by name and we give value and respect to one another. When we relocate to the new area, Boeung Mealea, I want to bring this practice with me. I don’t care if the poorest are far or near, I want to see their lives change.

We know very well that one thing that is so difficult to change is people’s mindset. The people in Anlong Veng had a lot of traditional beliefs and habits that were not helpful for their progress. It will take time to change [that] in Boeung Mealea, too, so it will be difficult for the staff in the beginning. For example, people’s beliefs in spirits affect their lives – sometimes it comes with a lot of traditional practices that require them to spend more money. These practices can make them even poorer. In the new area, I known that most of the families owe money to micro-finance companies. It will take a while before they can all repay those debts – but hopefully they have good participation with FH work so they can walk away from these problems.

People’s beliefs in spirits affect their lives – sometimes it comes with traditional practices that require them to spend a lot of money.

As a community facilitator, I really look forward to help children understand that going to school is important for their future. I am thrilled to see their parents attending trainings in order to gain knowledge on how they can provide for their families.

FIRE IN THE NIGHT JON NEUFELD ON TOUR

CANADIAN SINGERSONGWRITER JON NEUFELD L AUNCHES “NIGHT OF WORSHIP TOUR”

D E TA I L S A N D T I C K E T S : W W W . J O N N E U F E L D M U S I C . C O M B O O K A C O N C E R T W I T H J O N AT Y O U R C H U R C H : A R T I S T S @ F H C A N A D A . O R G

“In response to these nights of worship, I’m partnering with Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada and waving the flag for Child Sponsorship! My two recent trips to Ethiopia have given me complete confidence that Child Sponsorship works!”

JON NEUFELD

READ AN INTERVIEW WITH JON: BLOG.FHCANADA .ORG W AT C H T H E V I D E O O F J O N ’ S V I S I T T O E T H I O P I A : FHCANADA .ORG/SPONSORSHIP

FHCANADA.ORG

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BY AMALIA TOC AND ERYN AUSTIN BERGEN PHOTOS BY MICHAEL NOTHUM

What happens after a community graduates? Once the hype settles down and life returns to normal, and FH is no longer in the picture, does the progress continue?

Where Are They Now? San Cristobal: A Snapshot of Formerly Sponsored Kids

Fifteen years ago, when Food for the Hungry (FH) began working with the communities of San Cristobal, Guatemala childhood education was a major struggle. Through a 10 year partnership with FH, however, San Cristobal began to change. Child Sponsorship and faithful home visits from FH staff were critical to helping parents prioritize education.

By the time graduation arrived in 2010, one of the smaller villages, La Providencia, not only had a well-attended primary school, but a middle school of their very own! Parents proudly testified to the spiritual, social, intellectual, and physical growth of their children through this education. Some youth did so well in the younger grades that they chose to attend high school (grades 10 - 12) in the larger city-centre of San Cristobal.

These are the youth that FH representatives sought out to learn whether or not the development their communities experienced when they were children continues to have a positive impact on their lives as adults. What they discovered was a group of motivated, forward thinking, and selfless young adults who are focused on raising up the next generation of Guatemalans.

“I finished my bachelor degree in Bilingual Education,” Diego Elias Pop explains. “This degree has opened many doors and opportunities for me.

Because of God and FH I now have a good job working in dozens of different communities in San Cristobal eradicating illiteracy! This is a big achievement for me.” But Diego isn’t primarily focused on his own career. He goes on, “This is a big accomplishment because many people are learning to how to read and write. It is a continuation of the education I received through FH’s example.” His biggest concern is that the impact of 10 years of change carry on and expand into the next generation.

And he isn’t the only one thinking this way.

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Elena Cal QueJ is the Secretary for the Community Council in El Rancho. In addition, she works with the local women’s group and teaches adult literacy classes as well as middle school youth. Elena is proud that some of her former students are going on to become teachers

I now have a good job working in dozens of different communities of San Cristobal eradicating illiteracy! DIEGO ELIAS POP themselves. “I am doing this job not only for myself, but so that Guatemala becomes different, so that people follow my example,” Elena explains. “I want to change the perception that others have of us.” Elena refers to the tension between some of the more wealthy “Latinos” and her own ethnic group. “They think we cannot succeed and that we don’t know anything, but I will show them more professionals like me.”

Graduation is defined by the ability for villages to be self-sustaining - being able to keep moving forward on their own. Following graduation, leaders in San Cristobal worked with local agencies to construct their own water treatment center (without FH’s help!). It now proudly serves as an example for neighbouring villages.

Two other youth, Cristobal Len Cojoc and Juan Leonardo Cal Coy, have followed a similar path. Both attended vocational school and embraced teaching as a career.

Each young man testifies to the motivation and encouragement he received as a child being the key to his current success.

These singular testimonies are representative of a larger reality for the communities of San Cristobal - five years after graduation the now-grown children of San Cristobal continue to thrive. To hear for yourself the rippling impact of FH partnership with these communities, watch Amalia’s video at fhcanada.org/amalia.

Sponsor a Child, Transform a Community

Corn is a staple for San Cristobal. New varieties of corn are increasing nutrition rates and generating more income for farming families. The cornfield belongs to Amalia Toc’s aunt, Juana Toc.

Amalia Toc grew up in San Cristobal, Guatemala. As a Food for the Hungry (FH) sponsored child, she received a quality education while her parents benefited from access to FH training in farming, health, income generation, and parenting counseling. Amalia’s family, together with her whole community, celebrated their development achievements in 2010.

Watch Amalia’s story at www.fhcanada.org/amalia and see her personal FHCANADA.ORG account of the impact of child sponsorship.

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Relational Relief

An unconventional approach to crisis response A need for relief aid is always an opportunity for so much more.

When a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan in March 2011, killing over 15,000 people and displacing thousands more, we all – the international Church and non-governmental organization (NGO) community - responded quickly in the form of food, water, and shelter.

Japan is a rich country, and by working together, basic needs were met quickly.

BY SO O HWA N PA R K

Soohwan Park’s passion to help others led her first to work among Dalits and Muslim poor in urban slums of Bangladesh, then to start a holistic ministry training network among urban churches in Korea. Recently Soohwan has facilitated trainings with Food for the Hungry in Thailand and Japan.

Residents, however, continued returning to the makeshift warehouses stacked with canned goods even after they had what they needed.

They didn’t come for food or water; they needed personal connection.

Japanese church members saw the emotional needs of disaster victims and volunteered at drop-in centres. The need for a listening ear was unmistakable as the centres became busy places. Elderly

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folks could get a cup of tea, children could play, and anyone could sit and share their story with volunteers.

Soon, the volume of people seeking emotional relief from the centres forced a request for help. Food for the Hungry (FH) quickly stepped up to provide basic training, equipping people to engage within the Japanese Buddhist culture. They pulled in other experts partnering with FH Japan, Friends with the Voiceless, Disciplining Nations Alliance, and Regent College in Vancouver, BC to co-sponsor a program to look at how the Christian community could intentionally be an effective firstresponder in future crises.

Traditionally following a disaster, physical relief is prioritized.

Being attuned and responsive to emotional and spiritual needs has been shown to be equally critical. As in most of FH’s programs, a holistic approach and relationships are key factors in making them “successful”. This methodology encouraged FH, Regent College, and several Japanese churches to re-examine the role of Christians in disaster relief. When one expands their response beyond traditional, physical aid and addresses deeper wounds facing survivors, true relief is experienced. Rebuilding sustainable, healed communities takes time and investment.

“They didn’t come for food or water; they needed personal connection.”

Two years after the earthquake, former FH Canada President, Ben Hoogendoorn, visited Japan. He found the Christian community there still making positive waves. After witnessing the drop-in centres’ relational, Christ-centred approach in practice, Ben remarked, “I must say it was quite evident that lives were being impacted and a number of people who had been very suspicious of Christianity gave their hearts to Christ.”

The co-sponsored program, Relational Relief, has focused on incorporating a relational aspect into a fast-moving relief situation. While this approach is still being developed and programmatically integrated, its application is being examined by a number of interested organizations.

Update On Nepal Earthquake Response On April 25, 2015 a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal with devastating force. We all watched with horror as the death toll rose and the extent of the wreckage became terribly clear. But you did not stand idly by - you acted. And we are so grateful!

FHCANADA.ORG

Food for the Hungry donors like you gave over $56,000 toward relief efforts in Nepal, providing shelter, food, clean water, shoes, household necessities, and hope to over 55,000 people who have lost everything.

Today, FH partners on the ground continue to work with local authorities and other NGOs to support the Nepalese people as they 19 work to piece their lives back together - brick by brick. Thank you for your compassion and generosity - we’re proud to work with you.

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Short Years of Remarkable Change

Through the support of generous Canadians like you, families in the Ntwali community have moved from stuck to thriving. Look back over the past ten years with us to see how small steps brought incredible change.

BY CARISSA YOUSSEF PHOTOS BY MIKE PRINS

Highlights from Ntwali, Rwanda EDUCATION: Improving access to and the quality of education was identified as a top priority when FH arrived in Ntawli. Ten years ago, 65 percent of children in the community were enrolled in school. We are proud to say that today, 98 percent of school-aged children are receiving an excellent education.

HEALTH: Two major obstacles facing families were malaria and waterborne diseases. The closest water source was nearly eight kilometers away. Children typically gathered daily water resulting in less time for school. Today, Ntwali has seven water wells, cutting in half the distance to water for most families.

LIVELIHOODS: Through livestock support and training in more effective farming practices, agricultural productivity has vastly improved. Food sources are now considered stable and 85 percent of families eat twice a day. Families were grouped into cooperatives to facilitate support and provide access to a guarantee fund that enables members to take out loans.

SPIRITUAL HEALTH: Ten years ago, there were several churches in the area that lacked Biblical discipleship and active ministries supporting children. FH Rwanda included church leaders in all the development activities. This cooperative process significantly impacted the churches whose pastors are now positioned as valuable leaders in the community.

The Ntwali hilltop: the church in the foreground and primary school (red roof) and townsite further behind.

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Pineapple Power Cooperatives Inspire Community Change In 2004, a group of entrepreneurial-minded farmers from Ntwali banded together to create a pineapple cooperative called Tuzamurane. Many of the 30 members are genocide survivors, single mothers, and widows. They came together to collectively respond to their social issues and create savings from the sale of the high quality pineapples produced in their gardens.

The co-op members pooled their resources and, with initial financial inputs from FH, were able to rent a piece of land. FH also built the group’s capacity in cooperative management, segregation of duties, and recording keeping.

Through savings and profits, the co-op bought a piece of land and acquired a bank loan worth $1500 CAD to expand their business.

The steep hillsides of Rwanda often make farming a challenge because of poor soil quality and rapid erosion, but these “undesirable” qualities also made the land affordable.

With the proper technique, a good dose of determination, and the right crop, the co-op’s hardy pineapple plants thrived. In addition to pineapples and eucalyptus trees, the farmers also cultivated three beehives.

“We are now able to provide basic needs for our families like good clothes, nice shelters, and education for our children.

We are prepared for our future,” says cooperative president Antoine. “The training received and exchange visits we made as a result of FH support empowered us with new cooperative management skills, confidence, and the ability to tackle our own issues.”

“I can now contribute to the family income!”

MONIQUE, CO-OP MEMBER

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FH Rwanda Program Director delivers key message at Ntwali graduation.

Odette (centre) with her siblings at new house.

How does a community know they are ready to graduate??

School children dancing at celebration.

FH and community leaders often determine the selfsustainability of a community when families demonstrate an ability to care for their children and each other.

Just ask Odette. When her mother died and her sister left to find work, Odette suddenly found herself in charge of her siblings with no roof to sleep under or food to eat. To see how the community of Ntwali lived out their transformation and rallied around one of their most vulnerable, visit www.fhcanada.org/Odette.

Animal distribution on graduation day.

The Tuzamurane Co-op pineapple plantation, photo taken from the Ntwali townsite hilltop.

“We are prepared for our future.”

ANTOINE, CO-OP PRESIDENT

300... and Counting!

On February 27, 2015, FH’s International Medical Equipment Distribution (IMED) program shipped their 300th container!

The 300th IMED container leaving snowy Saskatoon and headed for tropical Nicaragua.

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Filled with medical supplies for clinics in rural Nicaragua, the container brought help to dozens of medical professionals and hope to thousands of patients. But it also marked an important page in FH history - three hundred shipments of 40 feet of hope made possible only by the generosity of Canadians like you.

Thank you for the last 15 years of support you have given toISSUE this unique 18 initiative.

Goats Galore!

Gift Guide animal changes life in Haiti

Since 2013, Claude Elisee has been the proud owner of one very lucky goat. Thanks to generous Gift Guide shoppers like you, Claude received the goat through the Food for the Hungry (FH) animal husbandry program funded by the FH Gift Guide - that is, funded by you! Claude’s goat soon gave birth to one kid (a billy goat).

When Claude thinks back to that time in his family’s life, he remembers, “One day, I needed to buy school uniforms and books, and pay school fees for my five children; I didn’t know what to do because I was in great need of money. I didn’t have any garden to harvest and I didn’t have anything else to sell. Nobody was able to help me. The goats were my only lifeline at that difficult moment. I sold the billy goat and the problem was almost completely solved.”

The goats were my only lifeline at that difficult moment.

CLAUDE

Claude gave the second baby goat to the Community Development Committee members responsible for distributing goats to other families in need. This Gift Guide goat is the gift that just keeps on giving!

The third time Claude’s goat had a baby, she gave birth to not one, not two, but three kids! These little mischief makers are now one month old and in excellent health. Claude

continues to care well for his animals - he knows they will provide critical income in the months ahead.

Claude is very excited about the work that FH is doing in Cachiman, Haiti. According to him, through your support of FH, you are playing an important role in other people’s lives in the community, just as you have in his life.

“FH allows me to better farm the land through agricultural training and helps me better save my money through the Savings and Loans Group program.” Claude thanks you for your support and looks forward to seeing continued development in Cachiman with the help you are providing through FH. Through purchasing gifts like Goats, Fruit and Veggie Seeds, and Piggy Banks, you are enabling men like Claude to create a better life for their children and their community. Thank you!

Soup for Kids Works!

FHCANADA.ORG

Your generosity in shipping four containers of four million servings of dried soup mix is having a profound impact on thousands of children!

Thanks to your gifts, these children are enjoying the benefits of a daily nutritious meal. In Guatemala alone, 82 elementary schools spread across Nebaj, Alta Verapas, Ixil, and beyond received the soup mix you sent them. That’s a total of 15,000 children affected by your generosity!

In South Africa, vulnerable children in daycare centres and homeless programs welcomed with joy the food you sent their way. In fact, for many of those children, the soup you shipped will provide the one meal a day that they can count on. We are so grateful for your partnership in the 23 fight against malnutrition! FHCANADA.ORG/SOUP

Tired of the holiday balancing act?

Let these guys help you out!

Let FH take the stress out of your holiday balancing act.

Flip through our Gifts for Change Gift Guide to find the perfect match for your loved ones—a goat, chicken, school supplies, veggie seeds, and much more! You’ll also be empowering families in to change their future.

The choice is yours!

We aregn!’t kiddin just Shoppinhgole lot got a wsier! ea

fhcanada.org/gifts

1 — 31741 Peardonville Road Abbotsford, BC V2T 1L2 1.800.667.0605 info@fhcanada.org fhcanada.org @fhcanada facebook.com/Poverty.Revolution