2022 Impact Highlights (So Far!)
2022 Convergence Entrepreneurs and Business Mentors
“… NOW I HAVE A BUSINESS!”
If Los Angeles County were a nation, it could boast of having the 18th largest economy in the world. But as you travel the streets of Los Angeles, that fact stands in stark contrast to the many who are struggling in poverty. Every day, the dreams of families are cut short by lack of opportunity.
Seeing the need to create economic opportunities for their neighbors, Convergence, a ministry of Tapestry LA Church, along with Hope Ventures, started a six-month entrepreneurial program designed to launch and grow businesses. Last year, ten entrepreneurs and 12 mentors were trained and equipped.
Convergence went so well that a second phase has already begun! Currently there are 10 entrepreneurs and 10 mentors enrolled in the program. (See photo.)
We are excited to see how people, like Andrea, are impacted!
“Pre-Convergence … I wasn’t making any money. After this experience, I’m actually making money. I’m sending out invoices … I’m making contracts. Before this I had a hobby, now I have a business!” -Andrea Palmer, South LA Entrepreneur
CREATING JOBS IN MALAWI
Malawi is home to 17 million people. Of those, 62% live on less than $1.90 per day. One of the most significant factors that contribute to this poverty is a lack of employment opportunities.
Because of this, Hope Ventures launched the Malawi Business Technical Institute with our local partner, Children of the Nations. Together, our goal is to train business entrepreneurs to grow sustainable businesses in the city of Lilongwe.
Despite the global pandemic, the ten-month training provided 18 entrepreneurs the essentials for business startups, entrepreneurial leadership, and investment readiness along with one-on-one business mentoring with 12 mentors.
Some entrepreneurs in the Malawi Business Technical Institute.
“The most helpful part of the training is that now I’ve learned about financial management. I know what I will do in the future. Also, I wasn’t sure if it was important to keep all the records when doing business. But now I am doing that and it is helping my business grow.” -Eddayi Gondwe, Malawi Entrepreneur
We recently launched our second phase of training with 16 entrepreneurs and 12 mentors. (See photo.) Thanks to your generous support, Children of the Nations is taking our training program beyond entrepreneurship ... developing meaningful relationships that transform lives and communities as Christ intends.
ENDING MALNUTRITION
Hunger and malnutrition are a reality in Mozambique. In fact, one out of two children living in rural Mozambique suffer from malnutrition. Without proper food, children and families are robbed of a brighter future and sometimes even life itself. A pandemic, multiple cyclones, and global inflation haven’t made it any easier.
Seeds of Hope, a Hope Ventures partner, continues to meet a critical need for business creation that empowers families toward self-sufficiency. This includes investing in chicken farmers — helping scale their businesses and securing fair market access for their poultry products.
They are currently training three families in a refugee camp to grow 300 chickens in their backyard. The plan is to see at least six poultry farmers launch their businesses this year—a real game-changer! Seeds of Hope also operates two retail shops — one sells fried chicken to-go while the other sells frozen chicken.
We are looking with expectation to see how God will continue to use Seeds of Hope to bring transformational change to Mozambique!
“Thank you for being the support. Knowing that there are people who are touching heaven on our behalf [means a lot to us]. We are seeing the fruits of it.” -John Wayne Kennedy, Leader of Seeds of Hope