HOPE International, based in Lancaster, is celebrating its 20th anniversary of serving families living in poverty with small business loans and a safe place to save. But HOPE’s holistic approach goes several steps beyond providing financial services—the nonprofit’s model provides biblically-based training and devotional support while building community for more than 950,000 clients in 16 countries.
As HOPE’s mission proclaims, “We invest in the dreams of families in the world’s underserved communities as we proclaim and live out the Gospel.”
“Families living in poverty are incredibly valuable and have God-given talents and skills,” says Justin Watkins of HOPE. Examples of small business loans that transform lives include Jean Marie’s story: His loan financed the purchase of farm animals in Rwanda; those farm animals fertilized the soil so that he could create a farm; his produce led to the creation of his restaurant; and now he supports 11 orphans in addition to his own five children.
“His story is not unique; it’s representative of many of our clients’ stories,” Watkins says. The repayment rate for HOPE’s loans is a staggering 98 percent; that money is recycled time and time again into future business projects, touching lives in Haiti, Peru, Ukraine, the Philippines and many other underserved populations.
“The Gospel calls for us to respond out of gratitude to what God has provided to us,” Watkins says. “HOPE International puts us into active partnership, doing God’s work in the world.”
Sponsored by McKonly & Asbury
McKonly & Asbury, founded in 1973, offers audit, tax and business consulting services in Camp Hill and Lancaster. “We believe part of our responsibility in life is utilizing profits to enrich the lives of others—an initiative called Purpose through Profits” says Mark Heath, CPA and partner. McKonly & Asbury has partnered with HOPE International for seven years. macpas.com / purposethroughprofits.com
Want to Help?
See the “Take Action” and “Donate” tabs on HOPE’s website, hopeinternational.org. Or give the gift of hope at GiveHope.org—the organization’s gift catalog where you can read actual clients’ stories and give gifts in honor of your loved ones. “With HOPE’s efficient and self-sustaining model, donations grow over time and continue to make a positive impact,” Watkins says.
