The Giving Hope program

The Giving Hope program, begun in Rwanda, protects the rights of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Emelence (with the gold scarf) is head of her household. After learning hairdressing through the program, Emelence now teaches other young people at the government vocational school.

The Giving Hope program is now being replicated in three other East African countries -- Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya -- by six other partner organizations. The program is reaching more than 25,000 orphaned and vulnerable children.

A story of change ... dreams can come true

When Iyakaremye was orphaned, he sought work in the Rwandan capital, leaving his two school-age sisters behind.

The Giving Hope program lured him back and he’s realizing his dream to become a farmer. With a group of 28 children, he’s profitably engaged in bee-keeping.

With their bee-keeping profits, the group began a revolving loan program, through which Iyakaremye bought 4 goats. They’ve multiplied and he has repaid his loan and recently purchased his first cow. During the past season, Iyarkaremye and his sisters had a better harvest of corn, beans, and bananas than many of their adult neighbors. And, through Iyakaremye’s efforts, his two sisters have returned to school.

Dreams can come true.