HOPE International's mandate is to provide alternative technological and educational support to people in developing countries where environmental, economic and / or social circumstances have interfered with the ability of local communities to sustain themselves using traditional methods. The founders of HOPE are Christian people, and HOPE is motivated by the Christian principle of compassion. HOPE's help is always unconditional. All projects are initiated by requests from local representatives, and are people-oriented.

HOPE International Development Agency (UK) was formed as a partner organization to HOPE International Development Agency (Canada) in order to contribute funds to the development activities of HOPE International, which currently span 28 countries. For the year 2005 - 2006, HOPE UK has committed itself particularly to supporting the work of HOPE within Ethiopia. HOPE Ethiopia is currently involved in two areas of work - providing clean, permanent water supplies to people living in one of the least developed regions of the country, Derashe, and providing community-based care for some of the estimated one million AIDS orphans living in Addis Ababa.

HOPE International has been working in the Derashe Special Woreda (administrative district) of Southern Ethiopia for 10 years. The region is home to 100,000 people, only 11% of whom have access to clean, potable water. HOPE's Water Team in Ethiopia, all of whom are Ethiopian nationals, provides a two-pronged approach, seeking to demonstrate the love of God practically by providing technical assistance in building water systems, and furthermore by building long-term relationships through seeking community participation, and promoting education and training.

HOPE's work in Addis is channeled through an indigenous NGO called SaLE (Save Lives Ethiopia). SaLE has been given access to a community center in one of the most run-down areas of the city, which it has converted for use by orphaned children and young people, who have lost their parents or carers to AIDS. SaLE provides support for extended families and community relationships in which these children are cared for, and in some cases provides accommodation for the children themselves in group homes. SaLE also funds the continuing education of children who have lost their parents or carers, and who would otherwise have to leave the education system and work, often within the sex industry, to survive.

Please read through our Projects Page for more information about our ongoing project work.