Hope For Children of Africa (HCA) was established in early 2005 to bring education and empowerment to the children of Africa. With passion and a commitment to their cause, co-founders Nancy Wood and James Kumahn have relied on faith that any missing ingredients would present themselves when the timing was right. The organization, in partnership with local non-profit organizations, has launched successful literacy programs called "Projects of Hope" in rural Liberia, Africa, helping to educate teachers and students, and providing much-needed books and supplies. With a commitment to providing sustainable community-based solutions, the organization sustains its operations solely through donations and volunteer efforts. Over 85% of all funds go directly to projects.
BACKGROUND
It all began in 2003, when HCA founder Nancy Wood met Eunice Kariuki Kihenjo, an African woman living in Denver, Colorado. Eunice had a dream to start an orphanage in her home village in Kanyariri, Kenya. Touched by the inspiration Eunice could provide for her country, Nancy wanted to help that dream come true. She helped Eunice with marketing materials and put her in touch with organizations that could help the orphanage get goats, a bore well, and more.
The day Eunice left for Kenya, Nancy knew she wanted to do more. She asked Eunice how she could help. Eunice suggested that Nancy start a non-profit organization focused on listening to the people of African villages, asking about their priorities, their ideas for solutions, and connecting them with outside resources.
In 2004, Nancy met James Kumahn, a Denver entrepreneur from Liberia. Nancy discovered James was involved with a Liberian charitable organization with a philosophy that matched Eunice's: empowering people in African villages with sustainable solutions. After experiencing the shocking inequalities of education between Liberia and the United States, James wanted to start a library and community center in his home country.
To help turn their dreams into reality, in January of 2005 Hope for Children of Africa was founded by Nancy and James with a small board of directors and a mission to listen and to help. Through the efforts of volunteers, the organization collected over 6,000 donated educational books, computers, and supplies in the first year. The group launched a series of speaking engagements and raised over $6,500 to send the first shipment of materials to Liberia at the end of 2006.
By early 2007, the organization was on the ground in Liberia, visiting village schools, government organizations, and talking with other aid agencies to assess Liberia's educational needs. A local non-profit organization, Hope for Orphans of Africa, was established in Liberia in March, 2007, staffed by local experts to establish and maintain supportive relationships with the communities.
Under the guidance of HCA, the local organization has formed partnerships for distribution of books, and staffing for teacher workshops and other project implementations aimed at helping schools get what they need. Particularly in rural Liberia, most public schools have few trained teachers and no textbooks at all. Through the efforts of HCA and other organizations with a similar mission, students of all ages have the opportunity for the education they seek to improve their lives.
