Mission
Children’s HopeChest
The mission of Children’s HopeChest (CHC) is to empower vulnerable children and their families to break the cycle of poverty and create sustainable, thriving communities, starting with the children.
Sponsoring P&G Alumni
Sponsoring Alum: Kenneth E. Sparks
2 years in CBD in Arizona
Ken is CEO/President of Children’s HopeChest, and he has led the organization for the past 11 years.
Describing his experience and the work of Children’s HopeChest, Ken writes, “During my 30 years of experience and leadership in the for-profit corporate world, I was often perplexed by the lack of progress in poverty alleviation efforts despite trillions of dollars of aid being thrown at the challenge over the last fifty years. What drew me to the mission of Children’s HopeChest is their cutting-edge and innovative approaches to transforming not only individuals but households and entire communities from a mindset of donor dependency to thriving communities with hope restored and dignity & self-sufficiency abounding. While there are many worthwhile and effective organizations focused on specific aspects of employment, HopeChest is one of the few that employs a holistic approach to fund all three elements the Foundation aims to support: job development and vocational training, business-related education and training, and the establishment of entrepreneurial and business ventures tailored to the local community’s economic and cultural realities.”
Family Economic Empowerment
The proposed Family Economic Empowerment initiative (FEEI) aims to equip vulnerable families in the rural Duber Town and semi-urban Woliso CarePoints in Ethiopia with the skills, resources, and support necessary to launch and sustain income-generating activities (IGAs). By leveraging community-based Self-Help Groups (SHGs), targeted training, financial literacy education, seed funding, ongoing mentorship, and entrepreneurship development, the project fosters sustainable livelihoods, reduces dependency on external aid, and enhances the capacity of families to support their children and contribute to community development.
2025 Grant
Given that PGAF would be funding only about half ($13,000) of what CHC has requested ($24,380), we are thus assuming that PGAF will be sponsoring only one of the two proposed FEEI Carepoint programs and that it delivers half the cited impact — 80 will be trained, 50 small businesses formed, 120 jobs created and as many as 200 family/community members economically empowered. We will confirm that the reduced allocation of funds can adequately support the single initiative/site before signing off on any contract and/or providing funds.
Success Story
In a small, rural village in Uganda, Loyce’s story began at Oditel CarePoint. This place not only ignited her dreams but also provided the vital support she needed during her childhood.
Growing up in a community where access to healthcare was a challenge, Loyce developed a deep determination to one day make a difference in the lives of those around her. Graduating in 2020 with a diploma in Clinical Medicine, Loyce didn’t just see her career as a personal achievement – she saw it as an opportunity to transform lives and help her community thrive. Her passion for quality care, born from her own experiences, drove her every step of the way.
In early 2023, Loyce used her savings and earnings from raising livestock initially provided to her through the CarePoint to open her very own clinic, a beacon of hope for those who needed essential care the most. “When I got the keys to my own business, it was amazing. This is my chance, this is my time, to serve the community,” Loyce reflects with pride. “My passion is to ensure everyone receives quality care at any cost.
When everyone is healthy and can access quality care, the community thrives.” But Loyce’s impact doesn’t stop at her clinic doors. A firm believer in the power of education, she dedicates a portion of her income to supporting her siblings’ education, ensuring they, too, have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. She has also gifted oxen to her mother, fostering sustainability and self-sufficiency for her family’s future. “In many communities in Uganda, children are not given the opportunity to dream … they live to receive. It takes someone to break the cycle and show them: you are capable, you have potential, and you can make a difference,” Loyce asserts.
Her story exemplifies the transformative power of empowerment and hope. Our Alum (Ken Sparks) urges readers to watch “Loyce’s Story” (https://vimeo.com/1019171026) for a beautiful sharing of the power of the HopeChest approach and the tangible difference the P&G Alumni Foundation can achieve through fueling many more stories of success like Loyce.