Giving Hope to Vulnerable Children and Families in Extreme Poverty in East Africa
As you know, in today’s world millions of individuals – especially children and young women – confront the harsh realities of poverty every day: child abuse, child marriages, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), premature deaths, sexual violation, lack of education opportunities and essentials, and sadly much more, making the role of nonprofit organizations like HopeCo increasingly vital.
| OUR VISION: To see transformed lives and flourishing communities in Tanzania, Kenya, and across East Africa.
| OUR MISSION: Driven by our faith in Jesus, we provide quality holistic care that creates lasting transformation, enabling children, their families, and communities to flourish.
WE WORK TIRELESSLY to safeguard children and women from harmful and violent practices while also addressing medical crises that can devastate families. Our commitment to education empowers children to become productive, godly individuals who will uplift their communities
WE ARE DEDICATED to addressing the root causes of poverty, lifting vulnerable children and families out of an endless, hopeless cycle. As the CEO of HopeCo for the past year and a former board member, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of our work in small, underserved communities in Tanzania and Kenya.
WE ARE COMMITTED to keeping Christ front and center of all we do! With a desire to prevent not only physical suffering but also spiritual despair, we believe in the transformative power of faith and share the message of hope and eternal life through Jesus Christ which is essential to any lasting change.
PREVENTION
One profound insight I have gained during my time with HopeCo is that our vision extends beyond intervention; HopeCo’s mission is prevention. Our efforts focus on safeguarding vulnerable populations from the threats that perpetuate poverty and suffering.
Preventing Harmful Practices – We are committed (and take action) to prevent harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and sexual abuse which disproportionately affect women and girls.
- In December 2024, City of Hope opened its doors to young girls fleeing FGM. More than 100 found refuge and heard about Jesus’ love during the height of the FGM season.
Addressing Medical Issues – Recognizing that poverty is not just a financial issue but a multi-faceted problem, we work to prevent medical crises that can devastate families and communities
- In 2024, Amani Medical Center treated more than 1,000 cases of Malaria.
Prioritizing Education – By keeping children off the streets and in the classroom, we help break the cycle of poverty that has entrapped generations, equipping children to become productive, godly individuals, uplifting their communities, and creating better futures for themselves and their families.
- Read “A Life-Changing Encounter” about a young boy invited by Dr. Chacha to live at the City of Hope and the result of that encounter in our 2025 Spring Newsletter at JoinHopeCo.com/newsletters
INTERVENTION
In a perfect world, there would be no need for intervention. While prevention is our priority, HopeCo will always come to the aid of children and families trapped in life-threatening circumstances.
Lifting Children out of Despair – We recognize that many children are trapped in dire circumstances that threaten their daily existence. Our ministry is dedicated to lifting these children out of neglectful, abusive, and desperate circumstances and offering them hope for a bright future.
Residential Home – loving, homestyle care by Christian houseparents for children who have no one to care for them
House of Faraja (safe house) – young girls suffering from abusive environments have a refuge from their perpetrators, receive trauma-informed care on their healing journey, and resume their education
Education – among the highest quality education in Tanzania - from Kindergarten through High School
Advanced Education/Vocational Training – opportunities for students to pursue their college/university dreams or skilled vocational training
Empowering Teen Moms and Struggling Families - By coming alongside teen moms, young girls, and families who are unable to care for their children due to extreme poverty, we aim to ensure that they do not become mere statistics of failure, but rather stories of resilience and triumph against adversity. Our mission extends to empowering women, single mothers, and orphans who often bear the brunt of poverty’s harsh realities
Women’s Empowerment Program – Teen moms learn a marketable skill (sewing) enabling them to earn a better wage, provide for their young families and even begin their own businesses.
Family Empowerment Center-Machakos, Kenya – struggling families get assistance through income-earning initiatives so they can feed their families and send their young children to school.
Building Community Through Health Initiatives – The establishment of Amani Medical Center in an area previously plagued by conflict between two warring tribes brings healing to local and remote children and families.
Vital Medical Services – This clinic not only provides essential medical services but has also fostered a sense of community and peace, helping to resolve long-standing disputes and promoting collaboration between previously warring factions.
Preventive Medicine – By addressing health issues, we enhance the overall well-being of the community and fight diseases that disproportionately affect those living in poverty.
Creating Hope: Leadership – Our founder, Dr. John Chacha, was intentional about bringing up children to become leaders starting at an early age. Impacting communities through pastoral training was and is a critical element in our ministry.
Bringing up Leaders – raising children to take responsibility, from having confidence to speak for what’s right (sharing at schools on the topic of FGM), to keeping their home, the campus, and school clean, and tending the gardens and milking cows.
City of Hope Boys’ Town – an initiative to provide a transition home for young men who have completed our programs, mentoring them in final preparation as they return to their communities as responsible, godly individuals – giving back what they have received.
Community Outreach – By training pastors and engaging in community outreach, we provide not just material support but also spiritual guidance that leads to holistic healing.
Join Us in Advancing Dr. Chacha’s Vision and Mission
We invite you to partner with us in our prevention and intervention efforts to create lasting change, foster hope, and empower those who feel they have no hope. Together, we can forge a path toward a brighter future, where every child has the opportunity to thrive and every family can live in dignity and peace.
