I d like to start the evening with a video that shows some of the great work being done in Uganda.

Transcription

1 HOST SCRIPT

2 I d like to start the evening with a video that shows some of the great work being done in Uganda. OPTIONAL OPENING VIDEO Hosting Hope Intro Video: WELCOME Thank you so much for coming and being a part of this special night. I invited you here tonight because I want to share with you something that is very important to me. We all have a heart for children. As mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or neighbors, we have a deep love and a deeply protective instinct for children. When we hear about atrocities being committed against children, or children being neglected, living in extreme poverty, being orphaned, or abandoned to starvation, it affects us in our very core. For me, in the past, I didn t specifically know of ways to make a difference for some of these kids. I often asked myself, How do I help? I want to share with you tonight how I ve been using my time and resources to help those in need. [GIVE A TESTIMONY ABOUT HOW YOU GOT INVOLVED WITH YOUR HOPECHEST COMMUNITY.] WHO IS CHC HANDOUT [USE THE WHO IS CHC HANDOUT TO SHARE WHAT MAKES HOPECHEST UNIQUE.] HOPECHEST MISSION STATEMENT: Children s HopeChest exists to glorify God by releasing the potential of orphaned and vulnerable children and their communities through partnerships that cultivate holistic transformation and sustainability. In the HopeChest model, transformation comes through Community-to-Community partnerships; one community in the US partners with one community in Uganda. Both communities are forever transformed by the relationship. Sponsorship gives every child the opportunity to know who they are in Christ and release his/her potential to create a sustainable living. Our community takes yearly mission trips to build relationships and encourage the children, caretakers, and indigenous leaders. Going on a mission trip is a wonderful way to strengthen the relationship with your sponsored child. We also raise funds to support asset-based development projects. My life has truly been impacted and forever changed - by the relationship. [GIVE A TESTIMONY OF YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SPONSORED CHILD. SHOW PICTURES OF YOUR CHILD, READ LETTERS THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED, ETC. HIGHLIGHT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF TRAVEL THAT HELPED ESTABLISH THE RELATIONSHIP YOU HAVE AND HOW IT HAS TRANSFORMED YOUR LIFE.]

3 DISCUSSION IN SMALLER GROUPS What prompted you to come tonight? Who would like to share their local or global experience with orphaned or vulnerable children? (I.e., adoption, friends or family who have adopted, sponsoring, foster care, Church ministry programs, mission trips.) Who would like to share about how your Church is involved with orphaned and vulnerable children? What are some barriers that keep us from getting involved with orphaned and vulnerable children? LEARN As an orphaned or vulnerable child who doesn t have access to proper nutrition, education, clean water, or medical care, they are at high risk for disease, being sold into marriage at a young age, being sexually exploited, oppressed and abused, or even sold for slave labor. UGANDA & GLOBAL STATISTICS HANDOUT GLOBAL STATISTICS - HIGHLIGHT A FEW Estimated 153 million children have lost one or both parents = 153 million opportunities to show the love of Jesus Over 1.2 million children are sex trafficked annually 22.5 million people live with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa, 14.8 million orphans due to HIV/AIDS Nearly 1 billion people don t have access to clean water 6 million children die every year from hunger and 925 million are undernourished UGANDA STATISTICS - HIGHLIGHT A FEW 37.8 million population 1.5 million people with HIV 2.7 million orphans 25.4% child labor Uganda is the youngest country in the world 49% of population is under the age of 15 40% of Ugandans live on less than $1/day selling products and sustenance farming 44% of Ugandans don t have access to clean water 42% of females in Uganda are illiterate In the 1980 s and 90 s, 1000 s of children lost their families and their own lives when they were forced to become child soldiers in the Lord s Resistance Army led by Joseph Kony GROUP DISCUSSION Explain how poverty can negatively influence all areas of a child s life? What, if any, responsibility do we have to vulnerable children in countries and of cultures far away from us?

4 Joseph Elotu is the Uganda Country Director. In this next video, he explains some of the challenges Ugandans face and how HopeChest and CarePoint leaders are engaging the solution. PLAY COUNTRY DIRECTOR VIDEO A Glimpse into Sponsorship in Uganda: OPTIONAL Our call as believers is to be a part of the solution Feel free to use these verses (or others) as you see fit during the night. James 1:27 Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world. Isaiah 1:17 Defend the cause of the fatherless. Jeremiah 22:16 - He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me? declares the Lord. HOPECHEST SOLUTION Through Community-to-Community partnership, when you sponsor a child, you become a part of a community story that works towards providing long-term sustainable care and holistic support. In this last video, I want to show you the true impact sponsorship has in the life of the child and also in the life of the sponsor. PLAY SPONSORSHIP VIDEO Inviting You To Change A Life: CLOSE As you can see sponsorship matters! This is why I invited you here tonight. Through sponsorship; you can share in a wonderful relationship through letter writing and visiting your child on a short term mission trip through your community partnership. Your $38/mo. supports a child s spiritual development, nutrition, education, and medical care. More than that, your support helps re-establish dreams, opportunities, and hope in the heart of your child. This relationship can also change your life if you let it. Tonight is your opportunity to begin a relationship with an orphaned or vulnerable child. Transformation will happen both in the child s life and in yours. [Invite people to sponsor a child tonight. Have a couple of computers set up to your Community Page link with available children and help walk them through the process.]

5 FAQs How much of my money goes to support the child? 80% of your sponsorship dollars go to support programming at the CarePoint How can I write my child? You will get a welcome packet in the mail within 7-10 days; it will have a large picture of your child, information about him/her, and writing instructions. You can also write your child directly from the community page link that you will receive after sponsorship. Can I meet my child? Yes! The community takes yearly mission trips. If you would want to join a trip I will put you in contact with the Sponsorship Coordinator. Can I sponsor more than one child? Absolutely you will just need to re-enter all of the information for each individual sponsorship. How long will my sponsorship last? We hope for the life term of the partnership; that could be upwards of 10 years or more. We ask a minimum of a one-year commitment What communication will I receive? Your child is encouraged to write to you and you will also receive reports from the CarePoint every few months and an annual report with an update of your child s picture. OTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR HOSTING HOPE EVENT Q&A Opportunity Possible interactive time (i.e. letter writing station after guests sponsor a child, make sure to view our letter writing tips at hopechest.org/write-your-child) Have a sign-up sheet for people who think their Church might be interested in partnership. Send any names to your Sponsorship Coordinator.