Charity Spotlight: African Hope Initiative

For this month's Charity Spotlight, we spoke with Bill Walsh from the African Hope Initiative. The organization is a joint effort between the Denver, Colorado-based Walsh, and Pastor Michel Ourdraogo, who lives in Burkino Paso, Africa. Walsh discussed how the organization was started, their mission, current projects, as well as other goals they want to achieve in the long-term. African Hope Initiative aims to strengthen Christian ministries, and development initiatives of local individuals, churches, and organizations in Africa.

The African Hope Initiative was started in January 2010 after Walsh had made two prior missionary visits to Burkino Paso in 2008 and 2009. But to fully understand the roots of the organization, one must go back twenty-five years ago and learn the story of Pastor Michel Ouedraogo. He graduated from seminary school, and sought to spread the message of Jesus Christ from village to village in Burkino Paso. While he was initially told to leave by elders in the village, they accepted him after he came to the aid of a young ill-stricken girl named Sarah. After facilitating her to good health, the elders soon asked Ouedraogo to aid more children, and so the Village of Hope was created. Today, the Village of Hope offers assistance in the areas of housing, food, and education for over 400 kids from 15 villages. Recently, Walsh and Ouedraogo partnered together to create the African Hope Initiative.

"We felt we could do this together, with my business acumen and his spiritual acumen," said Walsh. Walsh had previously worked for decades in the IT industry in a managerial role.

In addition to the Village of Hope, some of the organization's other initiatives include the Light of Hope University, and the Ephphatha School for the Deaf. The University's goal is to offer a multi-discipline Christian education, and develop the future leaders of Africa. The University is currently devising the layout of the future campus, training staff, and developing partnerships with other universities. With the help of volunteers and Advocates, the Ephphatha School for the Deaf strives to equip teachers with the resources to provide an overall education strategy for deaf children. One day, the School will supply hearing aids for the children and change their lives.

"This is a 15-20 year project," said Walsh of the organization's goals. Wash also has aspirations for a television show that sheds light on the difference they are making in Africa, and a large annual fundraiser.

To learn more about the African Hope Initiative, their mission, or to get involved, please visit their website. You can also check them out on Facebook. We want to thank Walsh for taking the time to share his story with us.

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If you're a regular viewer of ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition, you may have seen the Beach family from the non-profit organization, Noah's Landing Foundation. The cause is currently using our fundraising platform. Melissa and Larry Beach of Kemah, TX were featured on the show this past April, after their home was devastated by Hurricane Ike in 2008. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Melissa about their organization, their appearance on the show, and future endeavors.

Reaching out and opening doors for others has long been a hallmark of the Beaches, and indeed was the catalyst for starting Noah's Landing Foundation. "We've been doing this since 2000 to help other families in crisis, and to make sure they had better clothing, food, and other materials," said Beach. The non-profit also offers parenting classes, support groups, and special formula for families and children in need of assistance.

The Beaches faced their own crises in September 2008 when Hurricane Ike hit Galveston Island, and destroyed many homes in the area, including the Beaches. Recruiting volunteers from the area, the Extreme Makeover team built them a new home. Based on the experience, Beach was inspired to help the Extreme Makeover team when they recently re-visited Houston.

Today, the Beach family are parents of thirteen children, nine of which they are foster parents to. Melissa shared with us her vision to one day expand the organization across the US, reaching across other areas in need, and help build communities. We want to extend our gratitude to Melissa for sharing with us. We also want to thank Greg Batiansila for his assistance in this feature. You can learn more about this inspiring organization by visiting their website, and Facebook.

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