Monthly Newsletter

May 2009

A Letter from our Asia-Pacific Director, Lowell Sheppard

Dear Supporter,

I encounter an increasing number of people who are concerned about world poverty and want to make a difference. But some raise a few concerns to getting involved. The common ones are:

We should help those closest to us first. 

Like, many of you, I am also concerned with the plight of the needy in our communities in Japan and I try to do my share in donating time and money. But the simple fact remains, in Japan, no one lacks access to clean water and children are not dying from water borne diseases, which is the daily reality that too many families face in the developing world.

I am not responsible for people who live far away. 

To say that the world’s extreme poor are not our responsibility is to deny the fact that our consumptive lifestyle directly impacts lives of needy families far away.

The problem of World Poverty is too big for my action to have any significant impact.

You and I can make a difference. Perhaps we cannot change the world, but we can help a family say goodbye to extreme poverty and lead a sustainable life. The Chin Lip Family is one of thousands of families that HOPE supporters have helped climb out of poverty. Two years ago they were earning less than 50 yen a day and their children were dying. Today they are over 200 yen a day, the children are healthy, and the family now enjoys the luxury of dreaming dreams of a better future.

This month we are launching the HOPE Membership Program.  For only 1,000 yen a month you can join the HOPE Family and truly make a difference in the world you live in.  Please join today and be part of the change.

For those living in Nagoya and who would like more information on our membership program as well as other upcoming HOPE events, such as our annual Mt. Fuji Climb and our August UNION trip, I would like to extend an invitation to our Information Night on the 28th May at Shooters Sports Bar from 6:30pm to 7pm. 500 yen advanced booking at 1,000 yen at the door and includes Wine and Cheese, for more information please contact us at info@hope.or.jp.

Lowell Sheppard
Asia-Pacific Director
 
If you are interested in becoming a Member of HOPE please contact us at info@hope.or.jp or by phone 052-2040-0530.
 

Afghanistan Update: HOPE’s Animal Bank and the new School

Our colleagues in Afghanistan have given us an update on the progress of the projects in the field.
So far, 45 families have received animals from HOPE's Animal Bank and construction on the new high school has already begun.
 
 

Cambodia Study Tour July 31st to August 9th:
Make a change in the lives of impoverished families

 
Each summer HOPE International takes a group of people to Cambodia where they live and work along with the poor families HOPE International helps. UNION participants share the work of people living in impoverished communities coming to understand their struggles and hopes.
 
This is an opportunity to make a great difference in the lives of these communities and to see first-hand how we all can be part of the change we want to see in our world.
 
 

Information Night: HOPE Thursday

Want to Make a Difference?
 
Do you fancy Climbing Mt Fuji for charity? ... Running across the Sahara?
Going on study-tour of back country Cambodia?
or do you just simply
Want to end world poverty?
 
Join Us on the 28th of May (Thu) at Shooters for wine and cheese and information on our new Membership Program as well as our upcoming events.
 
 

HOPE Global Challenge: 2009 Annual Mt. Fuji Climb Challenge

Challenge yourself in the name of the world's poor and climb Japan's highest peak: the iconic Mt. Fuji!
Money raised through the participant's sponsorships will go to HOPE's projects worldwide to provide families with clean and safe drinking water and help them climb their way out of poverty.
 
 

HOPE at the Hilton: a great success!

This year HOPE at the Hilton took place in Osaka, Tokyo and Nagoya.
 
We raised over 400,000 yen through charity events such as "Relax for Charity", "Charity Hair Cut" and "Race for Charity".