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You may also mail Checks/Cheques to:
WINGS OF HOPE
PO Box 60392
Livingstone, Zambia
OR
Bank DEPOSIT to:
BANK: Barclays Bank, Livingstone Branch
Include name/contact of donor
ACCOUNT NAME: Wings of Hope Community Outreach
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0121078376
Donations in the United States: Checks can be made payable to Wings of Hope International and mailed to Wings of Hope, PO Box 6894, Huntington Beach, CA 92615.
Phone: (714) 357-5311
Thank you for your generous donations.
Wings of Hope Community Outreach has a board of directors with a wide variety of skills and expertise, including social work, teaching, running of schools, pastors, counselors, non-profit promotional and business professionals.
There is also an Advisory Board being developed to bring in other professionals as needed.
Working closely with the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare, mutually beneficial tasks can be accomplished. The Ministry has a place to refer kids they are unable to help and Wings can benefit by their expertise in assessments, placement and counseling. Furthermore, students on attachment can be provided by the Ministry as well, to assist Wings in the field work noted in the Services section.
Working with pastors, educators and counselors on the board, Wings will have easy access to Christian teaching programs, counseling and curriculum assessment needs of individual students and their families.
Board members with extensive local and international business expertise provides Wings of Hope an excellent capability for record keeping and accountability. Financial management, business strategy development, fundraising management and implementation of quality customer service are among the features available in this organization.
Students will benefit from financial support of 50-70% of their education expense needs, education guidance counseling and family support to ensure they can successfully pursue a career objective.
Zambia is home to over 16 million people, 50% of which are under the age of 18. Unemployment in some areas is as high as 80% and poverty levels are extreme. Education, therefore, must become the highest priority to every community in every province.
This education must reach all who are in need, including adult literacy programs that help parents support their school age children and family wellness programs that provide food, crisis management, medical, counseling and other needs pursuant to enabling a child to go to school. Much progress has been made through education policies that provide vision and strategy for education provision. These, however, can take many years to be implemented and the reality is that funding for the improvement programs is very slow in coming.
In Zambia, there are many schools and other organizations targeting primary education assistance. Government employs and pays the salaries of teachers in the government schools but there isn’t money left after that for the other expenses of running a school. Primary schools are supposed to be free by law but with no funds forthcoming from the government for the everyday expenses of schools, PTAs are formed and a budget prepared that parents, teachers and school administration can agree on and small fees are paid by students on an annual basis and per term (3 times per year).
Secondary schools (grades 8-12) have the same challenges but they are much more difficult because not as many programs exist to help the older children. Those who don’t do well in lower grades (1-7) often just stop going because there is no money or desire on the part of parents to have their child repeat a grade level multiple times without success or to continue on. Some do go but fall further behind if there is not help in the form of tuitions and extra lessons which create even more expense. When coupled with the need for school supplies, uniforms and other requirements, becomes an insurmountable expense for the families, especially in the case of vulnerable children who are often orphans living with siblings, aunts and uncles, or grandparents. Classroom sizes in the upper grades can be as many as 70 children with a single teacher, clearly not very conducive to learning success for struggling students.
To the extent that academic success is at some point deemed unlikely, alternatives must be raised. There are a number of vocational learning “centers” locally that can provide education in the form of a trade that has excellent potential for interested students.
In recent years, studies by UNICEF, UNESCO and others have indicated that approximately 47% of youths 15-24 years of age have achieved at best incomplete primary education. This means that approximately 5 million young adults have little or no chance of creating an income-generating livelihoods in an environment where unemployment is so high. High drop-out rates due to lack of access, lack of funding, early pregnancy, early marriage, and in some areas, lack of safety, contribute to this situation. It is our belief that this is a community problem that demands community ownership. Therefore, we are suggesting that a broad network of individuals and organizations - all working together - own the responsibility.
Wings of Hope will be fully supported by financial donations from individuals, churches, businesses and other organizations. It is the goal to receive consistent monthly or periodic contributions from many such donors.
Single (one time) donations are welcome and appreciated to help with a great start and ongoing donations will sustain the organization and support the needs of an increasing number of children.
Grant and other support programs will be sought and applied for whenever possible and all other fundraising opportunities discovered in the course of business will be pursued vigorously.
Website presence and Facebook page boosting will be employed to maximize exposure in the local area and internationally.
Donors
Target donors based on recommendations from the Board of Directors, people known to them as well as businesses, churches and any other entity identified will receive a letter requesting support and information about Wings of Hope.
When necessary, meetings of various groups (e.g. the Friday morning Pastor’s meeting, a company staff meeting or a Sunday morning church service) may be attended so that a speaker can share about the work being done and provide information about how individuals can support the organization.
Fundraising programs in the United States and in Europe will also be pursued as much as possible and the nature of such efforts will be developed on a case by case basis as opportunities are identified. To the extent that members of the board know of individuals and organizations who are potential donors, they also will receive information about the organization and requests to assist financially.
Partners
Wings of Hope Community Outreach desires to partner with all education assistance programs in Government, NGOs, Churches, Schools, Tuition Centers, Vocational Learning Centers, etc. in order to maximize the success and prosperity of the entire network of organizations with similar objectives.
Businesses who offer training or apprenticeship programs for any career path will be partnered with to provide that vocation option to our students.
Visiting teachers and teams from outside Zambia will be welcomed to provide various workshops and training opportunities on life skills, family health and wellness, biblical teaching.
The primary strategy for donations to capitalize and sustain the organization is to seek many small monthly (or other regular) contributions from individuals, churches and other organizations.
Additional fundraising will be done by seeking grants and other large one-time contributions.
The primary strategy for identifying vulnerable students to assist will come from referrals by board members, local community leaders in all walks of life and from government and other assistance programs in place. A network of such groups will be identified and constant communication will promote a high level of involvement by all parties.
Additional strategies for identifying vulnerable students exist in the future plans to expand beyond Livingstone and into more rural areas. Outreaches, workshops, crusades, feeding programs, and other events will be sponsored to bring relief in these areas as well. In village community schools, we want to create the condition of a sponsored teacher (e.g. we pay the salary of a teacher so that he/she shows up to teach) and whoever is in the area is allowed to attend school for free.
Promotional Budget
Initial startup funds to establish the organization are estimated at approximately K6,000. This includes name searches, PACRA Registration, Ministry of Community Development Registration, Logo design, business stationary, initial website development, promotional logo shirts and miscellaneous office expense such as paper, copies, passport photos for bank account, meeting expense, etc.
Ongoing promotional budget and operational budget to be developed in conjunction with financial budgeting process to be completed before the end of 2016.
Proposed Location
The initial location for provision of services will be Livingstone, with outlying areas to be considered as growth is achieved. Villages and other cities in Southern Province will be targeted on a case by case basis and areas beyond to be considered as appropriate. It is our objective that a model is developed that can be sustained and repeated in other areas.
Referral Sources
Referral sources for students will continue to be board members, community leaders including pastors, government supervisors, business owners, school administration staff, head teachers, teachers, social welfare department employees, social workers.
Forecasted Support Required
Year 1 – 20 students ranging in age from grade 8-12 at a cost of K2,000 per student creates a need for funding of K40,000 for school fees and requirements alone. Operational expenses are estimated at K2,000 for the first year. The total estimated amount needed to achieve goals for the first year is K42,000 (K3,500/month).
Year 2 and beyond – The goal is to increase support by approximately 10% per year.
Who will manage the business? Day to day operations of Wings of Hope will initially be managed by Adrian Mashau, President and Debi Elliott, Director of Operations (Treasurer & Secretary) with participation by the members of the board as needed.
Revisions to this arrangement will be made as needed.
Professional and Advisory Support
Professional and advisory support will be solicited as needed.
Board of directors
A Board of Directors totaling 10 individuals has been formed with 10 members including the President, Secretary/Treasurer and 8 Directors.
Management advisory board
A management advisory board will be assembled as needed.
Attorney
An attorney is not needed at this time.
Insurance agent
No insurance is needed at this time.
Banker
A banking relationship is in the process of being established with Barclay’s Bank in Livingstone, Zambia.
Consultant(s)
No consultants are needed at this time beyond the Board of Directors.
Mentors and key advisors
Mentors and key advisors are the existing board members initially. Others will be retained as the needs are identified.
Wings of Hope Community Outreach Limited is a Non-Profit Non-Government Organization (NGO) organized in June 2016 in response to the great need for assistance in continuing education of vulnerable youths of Zambia.
It is our objective to provide financial, emotional, spiritual and physical support that enables these youths to remain in school post grade 7 through to grade 12 and beyond.
Sponsored individuals will have access to education, career planning and development, mentoring, family wellness guidance and Christian learning opportunities.
The goal is to improve their chances of confidently entering the work force, to be self-sufficient, contributing members of their families and their community.
Mission Statement
Serving vulnerable youths in Zambia with faith based education opportunities and career development alternatives utilizing local community and international support.
It all began at the time I was in high school. High school was a very challenging time for me as I struggled with not having what other kids had such as books, uniforms, shoes, lunch money, etc. When I was in grade 11 things got especially difficult for me.
There was one time that I was with my friends. We were going to school. Before then I had already shared my dream of having an NGO that would be going into the villages to hand out bibles, etc. My friend Isaac really wanted to be a priest. He had never laughed at my dreams but now as we were going to school on that day all my friends were laughing at me just because of my heart’s desire. Ever since that day, I never wanted to talk about my dream to them or anyone again. Finally we completed school in 2013. The struggle was so real that I faced the next days with the question “why have I survived to see this day?” I was lost and didn’t know where to turn. I didn’t know what I was going to do because my future looked very dim. I had nothing to look forward to and almost no chance of finding work.
It was early in 2011 that I gave my life to Christ as a 17 year old boy. Right after that, I met mum when she came from America with a short term mission team to our church. It was then that I did my first mission work. All my life I had dreamed of doing mission and that year, the opportunity presented itself and I was available and ready for it. Mama Debi has been my backbone from that time until now. I really appreciate her. When I started working with mum, it was my very first time to work with a muzungu (white person). I would say it was intimidating but it was all about learning something new. We administer a sponsorship program for David Livingstone Memorial Presbyterian Pre and Primary School. I was put in charge of developing the profiles of the sponsored children by interviewing families and taking photos of the kids. It was through that that I gained my confidence back of sharing my dream. Looking at the work that we do, the conviction of me following my dream became so strong after seeing how families were being helped and how grateful they were. It motivated me so much to follow my dream. My passion is to care for those kids out there who don’t have anyone to make them realize who they are in Christ and encourage them to follow their dreams and career choices.
One morning at work I told mum how passionate I was to carry on with the sponsor program, even if something happened to her. I never wanted anything to happen but I wanted her to know that I would keep going with the programs if something did. I felt strongly called to this work and now my hope of pursuing a dream of my own began to grow stronger and stronger every day.
A few weeks after that, I began to have sleepless nights, thinking about what I really should do about the vulnerable kids out there who really don’t have anything. Those were hard nights for me. I was so tired but I couldn’t sleep, or rather I was almost afraid to sleep. One morning I woke up early and went to talk to mum, waking her up to tell her what was bothering me. I had always shared with her about my days at work, the interviews and how they went and how happy and excited I was to be doing this. This morning was different. I told her everything I was feeling and I told her I wanted to start an NGO that will continue to support the kids we are already supporting as they graduate from our school and move on to grades 8-12, maybe even college. Will you help me? Mum was surprised and happy and excited about all of this and of course she said she would help me.
That very day and every day since we started on this journey, the sleepless nights have passed and I rest well knowing I have joyfully made myself available for God to use me in the way he has called me. We continue to travel along the road of a successful start-up and look forward to the many blessings that are sure to unfold as we glorify God.
Services to be provided include the identification of vulnerable students needing help. This will be done utilizing a referral program whereby community leaders in all walks of life may recommend a struggling vulnerable student to Wings of Hope.
Applications will be completed by the individual (or his/her guardian) describing the need and why help is being requested. An assessment of the need and a matching of the funds available will determine a candidate’s acceptance into the sponsor program and the level of support available.
Financial assistance will be provided by Wings of Hope designees by paying in cash to the school to be attended or depositing funds, depending on the school requirements. If books or other items are needed, those will be purchased by organization designees. Money will never be given to a recipient directly.
Meetings with the family to establish support mechanisms in the home will be provided and requirements discussed with guardians. Counseling and other needs will be considered as well (e.g. literacy programs, Christian education, etc.)
Annual reviews of each student will be done to evaluate the success of the student and their eligibility to continue on as a sponsored individual provided funds are available.
In the event a student is unsuccessful at achieving the next level of promotion, alternative courses of action may be discussed with the family and support may change. There are many paths to a career and vocational training may be a better solution for some students. Wherever possible, leading and supporting a student into a vocational path might prove to be the best way of helping a vulnerable student. Counseling will be offered to help the student identify his/her desired career path and/or calling and every effort will be made to support that.
