Save the Date – Nov. 2, 2012, for Hands of Freedom Fall Event
Please mark your calendars for the 2012 Fall Hands of Freedom Event!
We will be gathering at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center on Friday, November 2 in the evening.
Our keynote speaker will be Peter Greer, President/CEO of Hope International, one of Hands of Freedom’s key partners.
Peter Greer, President & CEO
Peter Greer joined HOPE in July 2004, following extensive education and experience in the field of microfinance. Peter received a B.S. in International Business from Messiah College, and he earned an MPP with a concentration in Political and Economic Development from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Prior to his education at Harvard, Peter served as Managing Director for URWEGO Community Banking in Kigali, Rwanda, for three years. He also served as a technical advisor for Self-Help Development Foundation (CARE Zimbabwe) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and he worked as a microfinance advisor in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. While at Harvard, Peter studied HOPE’s work in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a graduate thesis project. He says his interest in working for HOPE grew as he saw “its unique desire to combine physical and spiritual ministry through the tool of microfinance. Peter is also co-author of the book “The Poor Will Be Glad.”
We look forward to seeing you at the event. Please watch for more information over the next several months!
Hands of Freedom Third Annual Gathering! Thank You!
Thanks to all who were able to participate in our Third Annual Hands of Freedom Gathering at the new Pathways of HOPE exhibit!
We hope you enjoyed hearing an update from Jon on the life changing work being done in India, as well as the engaging talk by Pastor Ryan Alexander of Hosanna! and the partnership perspective from Quenton Marty of Hope International! In addition, Jenn Alexander provided inspiring music, we tasted India with food from India Palace. And finally, we hope you were able to take home something fun from our silent auction and sale tables.
Finally, if you are on Facebook or Twitter, please follow us there as well. The links to both our Twitter and Facebook pages, as well as our Youtube Channel can be found on our web site.
Thanks again for your support of Hands of Freedom!
If you missed it or would like to see our new video again, it is below!
Nasima and her Savings Group
Nasima, a mother of four young children, is a member of the Hands of Freedom savings program. She was in a very challenging and desperate financial situation. Living in a slum, she had accepted that there was no hope and that poverty was her family’s destiny in life. Then, Nasima was introduced to the Hands of Freedom savings and mentoring program. She was provided with tailoring training and purchased a sewing machine with capital provided by Hands of Freedom. Nasima has now become an expert in producing coasters and placemats, earning a steady income and providing her family with the basic necessities that were once a luxury, as well as medical care and school for her children. Nasima is thankful to the ministry for instilling hope in her life and the life of her children. She believes she was created with a purpose and God has special plans for her family. Nasima is also excited for the future of her children and she hopes that they will be able to leave the slum and lead better lives.
Prior to being part of the program Nasima’s tin hut in the slum was her world. She never really ventured out and connected with others in her slum, as life was simply about survival. Now all the members in her small group look out for each other and help each other in times of need. Money from the savings program provides for emergencies and keeps her and her family out of the clutches of moneylenders who can charge up to 240% and can force those owing money into slavery as bonded laborers. As a savings group, Nasima’s group also learned to give back to their communities. Their group undertook a cleanliness drive for their slum and also have planted some trees to improve their slum.
Will you join us today in helping women like Nasima? A monthly donation of even $25 will make a big difference for those with so little. Thank you for your support of Hands of Freedom!
Meet Jaya and Learn About Her Business!
Jaya, one of the Hands of Freedom Saving Group members, is specialized in pickle-making. After being mentored and encouraged by Hands of Freedom, she decided to use her talents in order to start a pickle business. Jaya’s family was struggling to make ends meet and she wanted to help provide for her family. Now, Jaya has built an expertise in pickles. Her business makes different types of tasty pickles such as mango and lemon, as well as vegetables such as bitter gourd and carrots. She is able to earn 250$ – 300$ per month, is able to send her children to school, and can provide food for her family. Jaya’s customers are mostly saving group members from the local area but she will soon be expanding her business. She remarks, “Hands of Freedom has seen my talents and empowered me. They have given me a hope and I have experienced God’s love through them. I have a reason to believe in myself and am excited to use my God given talents to build a future with God’s help”.
Will you come alongside Hands of Freedom and help give women like Jaya a chance?
Thanks for your support of Hands of Freedom.
Hope Centers — We Need Your Help!
Did you know nearly 40,000 children are abducted every year of which 11,000 remain untraced according to a report by the National Human Rights Commission of India?
We want to take a minute to tell you more about our Hope Centers, located right in the community, that serve as a safe haven for children living in poverty. Hope Centers remove children from daily challenges like drugs, alcohol, trafficking, and child/bonded labor. Children in our Hope Centers are taught schoolwork, receive a meal, and learn about their value and worth. A Hope Center is a place where kids can be kids – learn, play games, and not be afraid of the many dangers they may encounter in their daily life.
Would you consider joining us in adding more Hope Centers? Your donation is critical in helping these children stay safe so they can fulfill their destiny. If you can help, please mail a check today to Hands of Freedom, PO Box 240191, Apple Valley, MN 55124 or donate online at our website — www.handsoffreedom.org.
Hands of Freedom Fast Facts!
Here are some interesting facts on Hands of Freedom!
Number of families involved in the Hands of Freedom program: 4,200
Number of businesses started: 200 with about 96% still operating
Number of wells constructed (including one well currently under construction): 8 serving an estimated 15-20,000 people
Number of Hope Centers: 2
Number (average) of women in each savings group: 13
Below photo: A well recently installed that was sponsored by a Hands of Freedom supporter!
Meet Preeti!
Preeti is in the savings program and bought a sewing machine to start her own business. She is very creative and is expanding to embroidery. Before joining the savings program she had no opportunities. She enjoyed making things but would throw them away because she had no hope and felt it would do her no good. The savings program has given her access to resources that allow her to pursue her passion. She now has confidence in herself as Hands of Freedom has opened doors to her outside her community. She feels most blessed by the opportunity to use her gifts for the first time!
Thank you for your support of women, like Preeti, through Hands of Freedom. Your donation creates opportunity that changes lives!
Hands of Freedom Selected as Charity of Choice by Mid-America Events & Expos!
Hands of Freedom is very excited to announce that we have been selected as the charity of choice for 2011 by Mid-America Events and Expos, a Kocina Marketing Company (http://www.101expos.com/)!
There are five expos involved and we will be selling our products at a booth and speaking at these events. The first expo will be the Body Mind Life Expo on March 5-6, 2011 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
You can read the press release announcing our selection here: http://www.101expos.com/media/PressReleases.cfm/2011/20110201
Thank you Mid-America Events & Expos!
The Story of Sushma
Meet Sushma who is married with three children. She’s been in the savings program for six months and has been able to buy her own sewing machine. She now runs a business making placemats and coasters (perhaps you’ve seen them in Hosanna’s Daily Bread Books bookstore) and will be expanding to petticoats and blouses soon. Her children are now in school and her savings group meets weekly for bible study and to build community. Before joining the savings program, her life was extremely stressful. She was constantly worried about the future of her family. They had no money, no resources, no guidance, and no hope. Now she has access to training, resources, prayer, community, and opportunity. She now has hope and can dream about the future for her family.
When you support Hands of Freedom you change lives. Thank you for caring for women like Sushma!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
On behalf of Jon, Swati, and the 4,000 touched by our programs in India, we hope you had a Merry Christmas and we wish you a Happy New Year!
We also want to thank you for your support of Hands of Freedom over the last year and ask for your continued blessings on our work, both through your faithful prayers and through your generous financial support. In order to continue to help more of those in need, we ask you to consider an end of year gift.
If you are able to make a year-end gift, please mail a check to Hands of Freedom, PO Box 240191, Apple Valley, MN 55124 or you can simply donate online through our web site.
Again, from all of us — thank you for your support of the work of Hands of Freedom! We look forward to sharing more stories of changed lives with you in 2011!
