Six weeks ago, on November 1, we announced the creation of a new nonprofit organization called The Hope Effect.
The Hope Effect exists to change orphan care around the world by focusing on new solutions that better mimic the family unit. Rather than building large instutional orphanages with high child-to-adult ratios, we are solving the problem by building smaller homes—each providing a family environment for 6-8 orphans and 2 parents.
Since that announcement, I have had thousands of conversations about the topic of orphan care. The conversations have ranged in focus from people who are just being introduced to the crisis around the world, to people who have specific questions about our plan, to people asking how to get involved in support or volunteering.
The conversations have been amazing. So has the financial support.
And an update on the progress is long overdue. So here are the details:
Financial Update:
In less than 50 days, The Hope Effect has raised over $50,000.
But the news gets even more encouraging:
- Over 700 people have contributed, ranging in donation amounts from $1 to $5,000.
- 130 people have organized peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.
- Over 200 people have joined our $10 Team providing $3,500 in monthly recurring donations.
Progress Update:
Because of your generous support, we have already announced a ground-breaking date for our first home on the campus of La Providencia in Siguatepeque, Honduras.
That’s right—just two months after announcing our initiative, we are already building a home! And assuming no major setbacks in construction, the house should be fully complete by early-summer.
I am thankful for all the help and expertise La Providencia has provided through this phase—the home is being built on their campus and will be operated under their local leadership.
A Birthday Wish:
One reason I wanted to provide a Hope Effect update today is because today, December 11, is my birthday. I turn 41 years old. And I have decided to donate my birthday this year to The Hope Effect.
I already have everything I need. Since becoming minimalist years ago, my definition of need has changed dramatically. In fact, I rarely use the word… and cringe just a little bit when I hear others say it. Looking around my home this morning, I am reminded again that any use of that word in relation to my life is complete foolishness. With food in my kitchen, clean water in my cup, a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and a family who supports me, I am not in need. There is truly nothing that I need for my birthday.
But many of the estimated 150 million orphans around the world do have needs. Not only do they need food and shelter and clothing, they need attention and affection and love. They need support from a family. They need to feel cared for and safe and wanted. The Hope Effect is providing that. And I want my birthday to stand for something important.
So I am donating it to orphans around the world.
We either leave this world better, unchanged, or worse off than when we arrived. And my hope is to leave it better for someone who truly needs it.
How You Can Help:
To help me celebrate my birthday, you can donate to my personal Hope Effect page. You can donate $4, $41, $410, or any dollar amount you desire.
I have selected $5,000 as a fundraising goal. Including the money we have already raised, $5,000 will be enough to cover the most significant building costs of our first home. The goal is high, but the need is great.
The opportunity to make a difference is very real and the Becoming Minimalist community is among the most generous on the Internet today. Donate small or donate big. Just please don’t leave this opportunity unchanged.
Maybe the greatest gift you can give somebody is a loving family. Someone you may never meet is waiting to thank you for it.
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I would want to see the actual legal and financial details of such an org before giving any money. It’s no secret that charities generally serve primarily as money laundering outfits for the creators. For the sake of full transparency, why not post the financial details?
Rita has a point it was just communicated incorrectly. Sometimes passion enters our comments because we’re overwhelmed to read the horrific stories about the abuse children suffer in foster care here in America. Being a child of the system, trust me something like this would benefit American foster children. Nothing was worse than someone telling me a child in Africa deserved donations over me while I was being abused and going without essentials.
This is a wonderful cause and I hope its supported fully. Governments (including this one) all over the world are failing their forgotten children. I think Rita’s point is, lets help others, but let’s not forget our hurting American children in the process.
Happy Birthday Joshua – keep shining bright for the Lord!
Sarah
Happy birthday, Joshua! Your words reminded me a beautiful song of Bob Marley called Is this love? that is so simple but with meaningful lyrics “…with this roof over our heads…Jah provides the bread”. Peace :)
Allow me to let Friend Richard’s quote be my reply
“Here in Australia you spell love so foolishly, you spell it L.O.V.E., but that is not he way to spell love, you should spell it S.A.C.R.I.F.I.C.E. Thats how you spell love.” Richard Wurmbrand.
13 Greater love than this hath no man, when any man bestoweth his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15 (Geneva 1599)
Happy birthday Joshua! I am 41 as well, and I will joyfully give you $41 for your birthday…… :). Your writing resonates deeply with me and has been a blessing in my life. Thank you for everything you do.
Happy birthday, Joshua! You have contributed so much to my life, I am delighted to help celebrate your birthday with a donation. All the best to you and yours.
Thank you for bringing attention to this need! Our family has two biological and two adopted children from China. While I was in China picking up one of the kids, the time I did get to visit one of our children’s orphanages, I wanted to bring all the kids home. Our family’s experience with integrating former orphans into our family made it abundantly clear that kids need families!
I am American so I only give to American causes. I feel with the history of Hondorus it is not appropriate. In addition I do not feel asking for money in this format is appropriate. So many causes in the US need help! I urge you to give to your own country!!!!
WOW.
I understand that “charity begins at home”, but to not spread goodness and do whatever, wherever you can, is the main object in this world. Open your mind, Please and heart too!!!
Rita, I cannot get inside your head to try to understand your motivation for this comment and you are, of course, entitled to your opinion. However, while I agree there are many needs in the United States, I see no reason why we cannot help where we are able, close to home, and ALSO help WHEREVER we see a need . The children of Honduras have done nothing to bring their sorrows on themselves and shouldn’t be punished for things over which they have no control. If history was our measuring stick, there would be almost nowhere we would be able to help, including the U.S. If your heart for giving is toward the people in the United States, then by all means give where and when you are able, but to ask others to withhold the aid they are able to give, where they see a need and feel they can make a difference, seems terribly harsh to me. This is the vision Joshua has been given. I believe, as a long time reader of this blog, that we can trust it. Again, based on what I’ve read, this endeavor is certainly the result of many months/years of research and, I would imagine, much prayer. Instead of creating a divisive atmosphere, let’s come together in helping hurting people where the need arises. I wish you well as you help those in your familiar surroundings and I wish Joshua well as he follows his vision of aid for the hurting, wherever they reside.
Nicely said, Katie :)
Thanks, Judy!
My heart feels so much admiration for you. It inspires me greatly. I would love to be part of something like this and help make the world a tiny bit better. Happy Birthday!
Happy belated. I think it is a testament to your character that this blog has allowed you to grow a following large enough that your message is responsible for successfully financing a non-profit from scratch in The Hope Effect.
Indeed the word “need” means something entirely different when put into perspective.
For example, while I am by no means rich, the individuals I outreach to at my day job are quite impoverished.
My wife who works in a low-income school sees children come back from Christmas break or summer break anxiously because they are so hungry because all they have received for meals is a few bowls of cereal per day or a $1 hamburger.
I think of my best friend in my teenage years whose father abandoned him and whose mother died that had no running water or electricity.
It makes you re-think “need.”
Keep fighting the good fight.
Thanks Jeffrey, I sure will. Our comprehension of our own wealth is almost entirely related to which we way we compare ourselves—whether we are comparing up or down.
Happy B-Day, Joshua! :) :) :) Are you SURE you don’t NEED a new pair of over-sized dinosaur slippers that actually light up when you take a step??? LOL
I am sure. But thanks for double-checking. :)
Happy Birthday Joshua!!! What an amazing idea to donate your birthday. I love what you’re doing with The Hope Effect. My husband is from Ecuador and the need for this type of care in Central and South America is overwhelming. As we raise our girls in So Cal we struggle with how to explain the abundance of their world here and the poverty of the world in their second country. It’s a huge factor in choosing minimalism. This is a unique project that I can’t wait to support and follow. Blessings and best birthday wishes!
Thank you so much Lisa. Your daughters, simply because of seeing and being familiar with the poverty in Ecuador, will have a benefit over those who have never experienced it. Sounds like you are working hard to raise them well.