Urwego Finance
HOPE International - Rwanda
In obedience to Christ's command to love our neighbour and make disciples of all nations, HOPE International provides discipleship opportunities, training, a safe place to save, and loans. HOPE invests in the dreams of families in the world's underserved communities, proclaiming and living the Gospel by sharing the hope of Christ as they provide biblically based training, savings services, and loans that restore dignity and break the cycle of poverty.
During his recent visit to Rwanda, Bill had the opportunity to witness the transformative impact of financial solutions aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty in vulnerable communities of one of HOPE’s subsidiaries, Urwego Finance. Urwego not only provides essential financial services but also integrates spiritual support, sharing the hope of Christ and restoring dignity to its clients.
Bill met two of Urwego’s clients, Claudine and Jean Pierre, a couple whose lives have been profoundly changed through Urwego's assistance. Jean Pierre initially began his entrepreneurial journey by selling potatoes and bananas from a small stall, catering to the daily essential needs of his neighbouring community. With an USD 800 loan from Urwego, he was able to finance this venture, producing a steady cash flow. Demonstrating integrity and reliability as a borrower within a lending group, Jean Pierre and Claudine were elevated to be individual borrowers, allowing Urwego to finance their business expansion with USD 6,000 loan, leveraging his initial success to expand into a higher-margin household goods retail business. Today, they successfully manage both ventures, exemplifying how access to financial resources can empower individuals, transform families, and uplift entire communities.
This visit highlighted Urwego Finance's commitment to not only providing financial assistance but also fostering hope and dignity, proving that with the right support, individuals can achieve lasting change and improve their futures.
Get Involved
Support HOPE International's poverty alleviation efforts in several meaningful ways:
1. Financial Contributions
Donate Directly: Regular financial donations can help fund microloans and other programs aimed at empowering individuals and families. As a registered section 88 charitable institution under the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance consolidated under HOPE International, HOPE Hong Kong is committed to wise stewardship of every donation we receive (online donations: https://www.hopeinternational.org/hong-kong/donate).
Sponsor a Project: Friends can sponsor specific initiatives or projects that align with their interests.
2. Fundraising Initiatives
Organize Events: Host fundraising events or community gatherings to raise awareness and funds for HOPE.
3. Volunteer Opportunities
Local Outreach: Engage in local community service projects that align with Hope International’s mission, helping to spread awareness and build connections (i.e. poverty, savings group or micro-loan simulations).
Skilled Volunteering: Offer professional skills (e.g., marketing, finance, education) to assist in program development or administrative tasks.
4. Advocacy and Awareness
Share Information: Use social media and personal networks to share information about HOPE’s work and its impact on poverty alleviation.
Host Informational Sessions: Organize discussions or workshops to educate others about global poverty issues and how they can contribute.
5. Partnerships
Connect with Local Businesses: Encourage local businesses to partner with HOPE through sponsorships or matching gifts.
Collaborate with Other Organizations: Work with other non-profits or community organizations to amplify efforts and resources.
6. Pray and Offer Spiritual Support
Prayer Groups: Form prayer groups to support the work of HOPE and its beneficiaries spiritually, asking for guidance and strength for those in need.
Encourage Faith-Based Initiatives: Integrate faith-based discussions about poverty alleviation into community groups or churches.
By taking these actions, you can significantly contribute to HOPE's mission, helping to create sustainable change in vulnerable communities worldwide.