Living Hope International

The story of Living Hope International exemplifies how a vision and the motivation to make a difference can change the lives of countless people. The catalyst for Living Hope was a child pickpocket and a single meal. In 1997, while on her way to begin a job teaching English in Russia, New Zealander Rachael Hughes felt a hand reach for her purse and turned to confront the criminal. Instead she found herself looking down into the face of a homeless child.

Sadly, the streets of Vladivostok in far-eastern Russia are home to countless numbers of abandoned children. Rachael had witnessed frightened, hungry children begging on the streets and was moved to buy this child a meal. Watching the way he devoured the food with an expression of shame made such an impression on Rachael that the next day she returned to the streets to hand out fruit and sandwiches. Within a month she was feeding thirty children up to three times a week. As knowledge of her work grew, more and more caring individuals joined the cause. People from local churches volunteered their time, money, food and facilities. For the first time, many children knew they would receive regular food, clothing, and love.

In 1999, the Vladivostok Homeless Children’s Rehabilitation Society, Living Hope, was registered as a charitable organisation. With a Board of Administration, five full-time Russian staff as well as local and overseas volunteers, Living Hope continues to meet an ever-increasing number of children in need of a new beginning. Living Hope is also registered in New Zealand as Living Hope Trust and in the process of finalizing registration in the United States.

Through Living Hope, children are fed, clothed, encouraged, educated, and given the ability to see their potential. Living Hope's Day Centre, mobile soup kitchen, and holiday camps are making a dramatic difference. Their vision for the future includes a 24-hour urban center and a separate full-time residential home. But facilities and funding are scarce. GRDP has partnered with Living Hope to further their vision by developing their organization internally, designing projects, and diversify their funding base to meet the needs of these most vulnerable children struggling to survive on the streets of Vladivostok.

For more information on Living Hope, please visit their website at www.livinghope.org.nz or Download our Powerpoint Presentation.

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In This Section:

• Gahaya Links
• Global Hope Network International
• Living Hope International