14 May
How Your Stimulus Dollars Could Feed People Like Japheth
This blog was written by Children’s HopeChest, one of our partner organizations in the movement to share the stimulus.
People around the world are taking precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus by washing hands frequently, drinking lots of water, and keeping a safe distance from others. But what if you live in a community that doesn’t have immediate access to clean water? Or what if you live in a single-room house with eight other family members, unable to isolate yourself if you’re sick?
Although almost every person has been affected directly or indirectly by COVID-19, pandemics disproportionately impact those who are living in poverty.
Children’s HopeChest is a Colorado-based nonprofit that works in international, local-led, asset-based, community-focused poverty relief. We connect communities in North America to communities in seven countries overseas with high populations of orphaned and vulnerable children. We believe that these relationships will transform the world.
Although HopeChest’s model focuses on long-term solutions, the coronavirus pandemic has created critical needs for the communities we partner with.
Despite these dire circumstances, as an organization, we are witnessing a global movement of generosity and hope.
The individuals and communities that support HopeChest’s work are incredibly hospitable, regularly giving their resources, time, and talents to advocate for children and families in some of the most vulnerable communities in the world.
When the U.S. federal government implemented the CARES Act, in which approximately 150 million Americans received a stimulus check, we called upon our supporters to share a portion of their check if they were able. Our partners have not missed a beat in giving a portion of their resources to support those who are most vulnerable.
We at Children’s HopeChest have been inspired by people like you. If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re exploring how to make an impact or are as inspired as we are by stories of relentless generosity. These stories are all around us.
Through pledging a portion of their stimulus checks, HopeChest donors are igniting hope for those who are experiencing the despair of hunger and uncertainty.
Just one of the remarkable stories of impact that has already occurred as a result of this movement of generosity is the story of Japheth.
Japheth is a man in one of the 339 families at Mt. Elgone CarePoint in Kenya who recently received nutritional support. This support was life-saving for him, as he had not had food for three and a half weeks. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he walked back home from the CarePoint with his bag of rice, beans, flour, oil, and soap. The CarePoint staff had thought that they offended him in some way until they approached him.
When they spoke with Japheth they learned that they were tears of joy. He had been alternating between drinking hot and cold water each day to soothe his stomach pains and was overjoyed he was able to eat a meal that evening.
There are many people around the world who are currently in immense pain. Whether it’s due to the virus itself, or the shockwave emanating from the pandemic.
But there are also people around the world who are meeting others’ pain with compassion, empathy, and selflessness and rising to care for their friends, neighbors, and communities.
If you’re in a place to give and HopeChest’s mission of igniting hope for those who need it most resonates with you, we ask that you consider giving so HopeChest can respond quickly to difficult situations in the countries we serve.
The U.S. government has created several recent measures to help generous people like you continue their good work. A provision in the federal coronavirus relief bill incentivizes charitable giving. When you give in 2020, you can receive an above-the-line deduction for up to $300.
Join the movement of generosity.
