What We Do
Teaching HOPE aims to improve the lives of orphaned youth (13 to 18 years old) by establishing three programs to help them transition to independent adulthood: (1) Vocational training, (2) Network of Caring Adults, and (3) Transitional Housing. Vocational training includes classes for gaining marketable skills, such as English and computer skills, and life skills training. These skills will assist the youth with finding and maintaining gainful employment. The network of caring adults is a critical component of the Teaching HOPEprogram which aims to provide the support network that the youth can rely on after leaving the orphanage. With time Teaching HOPE will provide transitional housing to children leaving the orphanage so they can have a safe place to live while they establish themselves in their trade.
Vocational Training
As the children leave the orphanage, they are ill prepared to live on their own and support themselves. In order for them to be able to earn a decent living, Teaching HOPE aims to provide vocational training to the children between 13 and 18 while they are in the orphanage. Specifically,Teaching HOPE will provide classes in English, computer skills, and life skills. Teaching HOPE will provide classes for children to learn the basic self-reliance skills. As the organization progresses in its development, the exact list of classes will be established.
Network of Caring Adults
In normal circumstances, the family provides children with the advice and support they need when they start living on their own. Orphaned children leaving the orphanage lack that support system and are at a disadvantage in comparison to other young adults. Sometimes simple advice from an adult can spell a difference between success and failure in a child’s life. To help the children leaving the orphanage, Teaching HOPE will establish a network of adults able to receive calls from the kids when they are in need of advice.
Teaching HOPE'S intent is to recruit professional women as Older Sisters (“Hermanas Mayores”) to serve as role models for the girls in the orphanage. Teaching HOPE will recruit and train these individuals and will create the “Hermanas Mayores” community to maintain the network for long-term.
Transition Housing
Upon their departure from the orphanage, the children have to find a place to live. To rent a home, a deposit of 10% and a person with financial stability as a co-signer on the lease are usually required. Currently, not having relatives who could take them in and unable to pay rent in other living accommodations, the children are left with few other options than life in the street. In a period of three to five years from its inception, Teaching HOPE will build, purchase, or rent a home to serve as transitional housing for children who have just left the orphanage and who are not able to afford rent yet. The children will stay in this transition home for two years, earn money, and get established in their trade. By the age of 20, they will be able to leave the transition home and be able to support themselves by renting or purchasing a home of their own.
Empowering Orphaned Teens!
