Updates From the Field – East Africa
The program in Kenya has spread across the border into Tanzania. Open Hands now has so many savings groups in Tanzania that we are planning to hire a Tanzanian field director early in 2017.
Updates From the Field – Nepal
Open Hands has been invited by EQUIP Nepal to consider starting a savings group program in the country of Nepal. Merle Burkholder, Darin Hershberger, and Joe Kuepfer will be traveling to Nepal in December to conduct a feasibility study regarding a possible savings group program there. More updates on this potential program will be given […]
Updates From the Field – Haiti
Due to the hurricane in Haiti the participants in Open Hands savings groups have not been able to save as much as they had been saving. However, the funds they have saved will be very helpful to them in buying food and rebuilding damaged houses. Through the assistance funds that many groups have, they have […]
Updates From the Field – Ethiopia
The Open Hands savings group program that was started in Ethiopia in July has been very successful. There are now 30 savings groups with a total of 450 members. These participants are saving on a weekly basis and are very pleased with what they have been able to accomplish. We are hoping to expand this […]
Updates From the Field – El Salvador
Open Hands has hired a facilitator in El Salvador. He is meeting with interested persons and is helping them to begin forming savings groups. We anticipate that early in 2017 we will have groups that are ready to begin saving.
A World of Plenty
The college I attend held a Hunger Symposium last month. It created awareness of the problems of hunger in our communities. We live in a world that produces enough food for everybody and in a country that wastes food. In my opinion, hunger should not be a problem. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, […]
November 2016 Newsletter
Read the Open Hands newsletter from November 2016. Open Hands Newsletter November 2016
Does God Have A Role For Open Hands In Ethiopia
Open Hands is considering a savings group program in the African country of Ethiopia. We have had some conversations with a possible partner organization in Ethiopia. Help Self Help Samaritan Development Association is an organization that works with the Mennonite churches in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a country with great needs and a lack of organizations […]
New Savings Group Program in El Salvador
Earlier this year Lyndon Swarey and Darin Hershberger conducted a feasibility study for a savings group program in El Salvador. There was a good response from the church leaders and church members in El Salvador for a savings group program there. We have received board approval and will be moving ahead with hiring a national […]
Helping Haitians Help Themselves
Often in mission newsletters and the media, Haitians are portrayed as hungry, hurting, and helpless. This perception of the people of a nation has led to multi-generational dependence on outside aid. This has led to despair and a feeling that without outside aid things cannot change. However, nothing could be further from the truth! Haiti […]