A Year Of Impact
- Charlotte Watkins
- Dec 12, 2023
- 4 min read
As 2023 comes to a close, I wanted to take this opportunity to share the impact that Hungry For Life has seen this year, highlighting some of our projects and partners around the world and sharing an opportunity on how you can get involved with continuing the impact.
The newly updated vision statement of Hungry For Life is "we envision thriving global communities." Our mission statement, which will drive us towards that vision is we support leaders to cultivate spiritual vibrancy and human flourishing.
We see this happen every day by coming alongside local churches, businesses and groups to directly engage and involve their people in serving. Instead of a local group assisting in our projects, we will assist a local church or group with their project. And in doing so, people are changed by the blessing of being directly involved in impacting those in need.
HFL plays a supportive role, not only in equipping international partners with leadership skills but also in assisting them in coordinating and executing projects that bring about positive change in their own communities. We offer comprehensive support, including initial consultations, project design, focused implementation, ongoing project monitoring, and the management of team logistics and trips. Essentially, HFL acts as a bridge and facilitator, fostering a connection between two key players: local partners and international partners.
2023 In Review! Here's a lot of big numbers!
Although I have only been with HFL for a short amount of time, I am constantly taken back by how much is happening around the world.
With 28 staff working from our Chilliwack office, we are seeing impact take place in 14 nations around the world. In those 14 nations, we have over 56 active projects and are facilitating partnerships, 21 local and 27 international.
In 2023 we saw over 3 million dollars sent overseas for international projects which impacted over 300,000 people worldwide. Through our partners, we saw over 500,000 meals provided to address food shortages and 16,000 people were able to have medical care this year due to short-term medical teams and supplies being sent/ funds for medical equipment. We saw 11 teams and 8 staff teams travel for short-term trips to work alongside international partners and foster connections. These statistics are amazing and they don't even begin to represent the accumulative impact of every project, team and trip.
This is a link to the HFL 2023 stats video showing specifically where project dollars have gone.
Partner Story- Yogo, Kenya
To see a full update of the Glory Centre Academy Secondary School, see this video
Our local partner, Westbow Construction had the vision to help build the Glory Centre Academy Secondary School for students in Yogo, Kenya with our international partner Bishop Sial Owiti. Once school kids reach year 8 many of them would no longer be able to afford quality schooling. In February 2020, a parcel of land was located and a commitment was made to purchase the land. A dream has taken tiny roots in rich Kenyan soil - a dream for the continuation of the excellent education provided to the current 500+ students as well as many more students in the future. Despite unrest in the country due to the increased cost of living and taxation, the CGC Secondary project continues uninterrupted. This project is providing dozens of jobs for workers in the area as now 95% of the workers are locally employed. Visitors from the county and region continue to come and marvel at the facility as it rises from the beautiful red soil of western Kenya. The school is aiming to open in early 2024.
100% Model
This year as a ministry we have been incredibly blessed by the private donations of many people that help to cover the expenses of our overhead fees. Hungry For Life commits to donors that 100% of what is donated towards projects goes directly there, not taking any off the top to cover overhead expenses. Because of our yearly fundraising event, private donors, income from our building rent, and other sources we are able to continue seeing the 100% model enable project dollars to help those in need most.
See this video of our fundraiser update!
Alongside the 100% model, staff rely on separate donors to enable them to take a salary and live sustainably. I am incredibly thankful to each person who has partnered with me this year and because of each one of you, I am now almost 60% to my monthly fundraising goal!
By supporting staff, you enable the rest of the work HFL does to take place. I'm anxiously awaiting to begin my role as Executive Administrator in the New Year once I have hit my monthly fundraising goal! I would ask you to consider partnering with me in this way, any amount big or small makes a significant impact on this important work being done around the world. HFL helps staff in this by matching all staff donations by 20% and giving tax receipts for Canadian and US donors (US donors, send me a message for a specific way to donate). For a 2023 tax receipt, donations need to be made before the evening of Dec, 31, otherwise, your donation will be rolled over to next year.
If you would be willing to partner as a one-time donor or with monthly giving, see this website link or message me for other options!
If you are not able to partner with me financially at this time, please consider keeping me and the ministry that Hungry For Life facilitates in your prayers!
As we come to the end of the year I am incredibly thankful for all that God has done, how He has been my shepherd and led me to this place. He has been my faithful provider repeatedly, and I'm excited and humbled to see who He chooses to use. I can't wait for this next year, to settle into my new home next week, to begin this new career, serving at my church as a youth leader, and continue to build new friends and community.
I'm praying you all have a wonderful Christmas with friends and family, that we remember the goodness that we get to celebrate, and that God humbled Himself to come to earth and showed us how to live. That He died on the cross and enabled us to have an intimate relationship with Him.
Merry Christmas
Love Char
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