Stories of Hope | December 2023
Mission of Hope (Fondation Mission de l’Espoir, or FOME in Haiti) was invited to attend the 2023 Global Food Security Cluster in Rome, Italy by the World Food Programme in November. Josh Hodges, Mission of Hope’s Chief Operating Officer, and Ruben Cenea, Haiti Ministry Support Manager, presented.
This invitation is a testament to God's favor and hand over Mission of Hope through the years. It’s also an outstanding honor and a testament to our national staff and leaders in Haiti who have worked diligently for 25 years to create a replicable global standard of operating with excellence through growing adversity.
Viewed as a gold standard for delivering humanitarian aid effectively, efficiently, and creatively in times of increasing insecurity and civil unrest, Mission of Hope was selected as the sole local NGO to attend and present at this year’s Global Food Security Cluster meeting. We were asked to formally represent Haiti as one of three key focus countries in the world, specifically focusing on how civil unrest compels humanitarian actors to redefine aid delivery.
It’s an immense honor and great responsibility to be invited to represent and share the reality of the dire hunger crisis in Haiti. 2023 marked a tragic turning point in the escalation of civil unrest. In an ever-changing food security landscape, with soaring levels of needs and operational costs, coordination is essential now more than ever.
Global food security experts discussed the situation in a selection of crises, highlighting the altered conditions faced by the humanitarian community in the field, and provided recommendations moving forward.
The key presentation points they focused on were:
- How civil unrest in Haiti hampers aid delivery and impacts food security of the most vulnerable
- How to deliver assistance when movements of staff, population, or supplies are limited and financial resources are drastically lacking
Please join us in prayer for how God will use this to deepen partnerships and help get food to the hungry and vulnerable.
This Story of Hope is a timely one as 2023 comes to a close and we reflect on all that God has done over the past 25 years of ministry, and this year in particular. Your prayers and support are deeply valuable to ministry, and we could not do this without you!
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He was only thirteen when an accident changed everything. In the Dominican Republic, a young boy, Binsley, was left paralyzed with no access to medical care and no one to turn to. His only family—his two brothers—loved him but had no resources to help. Without treatment, food, or proper care, his condition worsened, and painful wounds began to form as he lay waiting for help that never seemed to come. That changed when Pastor Carlos, a local pastor traveling with a Mission of Hope team, met him and immediately recognized the urgency of his situation. Through his leadership and connection with our Community Engagement team, care began—consistent, compassionate, and life-giving. Because of faithful support, Binsley now receives regular medic al care, nutritious food, clean clothing, wound treatment, and physical therapy in La Joya. While he remains paralyzed, his health has stabilized, his pain has lessened, and he is no longer facing his journey alone. For the first time in months, there is hope. Your generosity made this possible. Because you chose to give, a young boy was seen, cared for, and reminded that his life matters. And he is not the only one. There are many others praying for help—and through your continued partnership, hope is reaching them too.
*Jean, a 15-year-old Haitian boy, had been living in an unsafe and abusive home, a situation that kept him from attending school and experiencing the stability every child deserves. Despite this, he continued to show up at the children’s ministry in La Joya, where caring adults began to notice that something was wrong. When Pastor Kilyvs learned about *Jean’s situation, he stepped in before more harm could be done. He brought *Jean went to a rehabilitation center where he could begin to heal and ensured he received school supplies, something he had never had before because his home environment made school impossible. Now, *Jean is safe. He will be enrolled in school, have transportation to attend classes, and be able to study, go to church, and grow in a supportive, loving environment. What was once a life marked by fear is now opening into a future filled with safety and hope. *name changed for privacy
In January, Klèb Manman continued to grow in Cap-Haïtien, with three active groups and the joyful beginning of a new one. These groups are more than meetings; they are safe spaces where mothers find encouragement, skills, and hope for a better future. In December, one young mother joined Klèb Manman. She is navigating motherhood at a very young age, carrying both the deep love for her child and the heavy responsibility of providing for her baby. After one Klèb Manman session, she approached our Women Empowerment director, Madame Rosealure, quietly and said, “Mrs., please, can I talk with you?” When Madame Roselaure said yes, she shared her dream: she wanted to start a small business so she could care for her child with dignity. Madame Roselaure shared that she did not have the financial ability to help right away, but she promised to pray with her and to trust God to make a way. The following month, moved by her courage and determination as a young mother, Madame Roselaure decided to use her own money to purchase materials so she could learn how to make liquid soap. This brave mother took that opportunity and turned it into action. She made the soap, sold it, and reinvested part of the income by buying more supplies so she could continue her business. Step by step, she began building a path toward independence and stability for herself and her baby. This story reflects the heart of Klèb Manman. Through manual activities and practical support, mothers, many of whom are navigating motherhood at an extremely young age, are gaining skills that empower them economically and emotionally. This kind of support restores hope, strengthens confidence, and helps mothers provide for their families while believing in a brighter future.
