Ghana The country of Ghana, located in central West Africa, boasts a varied landscape with everything from grassy coastal plains, to rainforest to dry savanna. Lake Volta, in the east, occupies 3.6 percent of Ghana’s territory and is the largest man-made lake in the world. Ghana is known for its vibrant culture, music, clothing and colors, with the now globally recognised ‘Kente’ cloth, originating with the Asante people, one of Ghana’s more populous ethnic groups. The population of Ghana is 25,200,000, made up of more than 75 different ethnic groups, most of whom live along the temperate southern coast. The literacy rate is 72% and the life expectancy is 65 years. Ghana is famous as being the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to achieve independence. After years of military rule, a new constitution was established in 1992. This has resulted in free and fair elections, and led the way to a more stable democracy. Ghanaians are known for their hospitality and openness; “you are invited” is a phrase you hear often in Ghana, almost always referring to the sharing of food. Homes are always open, and social capital is the backbone of most small communities. Ghana, particularly Accra, is a hub for technological innovation and start-up companies. President John Mahama recently announced a ten million USD seed fund for new businesses, and Ghanaians are known for their innovative spirit and resourcefulness. United Hearts, Mama Hope’s partner in Bawjiase, Ghana, is no exception. With multiple local income generating projects and warm hearts to serve children in their community, there is nothing UHCC leaders can’t do. Partners in Ghana United Hearts Children's Center Ghana
Guatemala Guatemala, located in Central America, means ‘land of the trees’ and is the most populous nation in the region. It is a heavily forested and mountainous, with the lowlands around the Pacific coast rising into the volcanic highlands of Sierra Madre where most Guatemalans live, then into the northern lowlands, covered in dense forest. A thousand years ago, the Maya civilization dominated Guatemala, and today more than half of the Guatemalan population of 14,373,000 people are direct ancestors of the Maya people. Most of these indigenous Maya people live in the western highlands and make a living through subsistence farming, while urban areas are dominated by ‘Ladinos’ people of mostly mixed Maya-Spanish descent. Historically, urbanized Ladinos have dominated commerce, government and the military, with the Maya people remaining overwhelmingly poor. Throughout Guatemala’s modern history, this ethnic inequality has caused a large amount of conflict, most notably, a 36-year-long civil war between the Ladino government and Maya guerillas, beginning in 1960 and ending in 1996. Partners in Guatemala Sotz’il Jay Guatemala Tejiendo Futuros Guatemala
Kenya Kenya is a country comprised of coastal plains, mountainous highlands and plateaus. It is rich in beautiful scenery and resources, from limestone, to gemstones, to wildlife and hydropower. Most Kenyans live in the highlands and the capital, Nairobi, and more than 40 different ethnic groups populate the country. Since gaining its independence from Britain in 1963, Kenya has grown into one of the more stable economies of East Africa. It has a population of 44,038,000 people, a literacy rate of 87% and a life expectancy of 63 years. It is a centre for free enterprise and technological innovation, with the now globally present mobile money sending service, M-Pesa, being just one example of this. Despite its economic stability, Kenya struggles with governmental corruption, which is a major contributor to keeping much of the population in poverty. Kenyans are vocal about their frustrations with their government and the lack of provision available to them, but they are also hardworking and innovative; active in advocating for change, but also in coming up with home-grown, sustainable solutions to the challenges they see facing their own communities. Mama Hope’s two partner organizations in Kisumu, a city in western Kenya on the shores of Lake Victoria, are inspiring examples of this Kenyan spirit of social action and innovation. Partners in Kenya Our Lady of Perpetual Support (OLPS) Kenya Riley Orton Foundation Kenya Tropical Focus for Rural Development in Kenya Kenya
Tanzania Tanzania is one of the largest countries in the region, and holds three of the seven natural wonders of Africa – Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti Migrations and the Ngorongoro Crater. It’s massive skies, breathtaking landscapes and rich flora and fauna make Tanzania one of Africa’s main tourist destinations. The population of Tanzania is 48,262,000 and is made up of over 120 different ethnic groups and languages. After gaining independence from Britain in 1961, Tanzania was lead by Julius Nyerere, who guided the country through decades of socialism. Many Tanzanians call him ‘Father of the Nation’ and say that Nyerere’s legacy has been a united Tanzania and a remarkable lack of internal conflict, with Tanzania remaining the most politically stable country in the region. Despite this stability however, 80% of Tanzanians still live at subsistence levels and struggle to access their basic needs. Tanzania’s literacy rate is 68% and the life expectancy is 61 years. Tanzanians pride themselves on their unity, openness and strong social bonds and this is played out in the many informal economies that have organically arisen without outside intervention, to help ensure that everyone has access to what they need. Many Tanzanian change-makers have built upon these strengths to provide home-grown and innovative solutions to the problems that their communities are facing. Mama Hope has partnered with four such visionaries in Tanzania, all of whom are powerful examples of the Tanzanian ability to unify and mobilize communities around important issues and make huge impacts as a result. PARTNERS IN TANZANIA Boresha Jamii Tanzania Nguzo Women and Youth Foundation Tanzania Queen Elizabeth Academy Tanzania St. Timothy’s Primary School Tanzania White Orange Youth (WOY) Tanzania
Uganda Known as ‘The Pearl of Africa’, Uganda is rich in natural beauty and resources; from copper, to cobalt to the famous gorillas of the misty Rwenzori Mountains. The climate ranges from semiarid in the north to tropical in the south. Uganda sits on the shores of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater lake in the world. The population of Uganda is 34,759,000 and is made up of more than 30 different ethnic groups, speaking more than 30 different languages. The Baganga are the largest of these groups, making up around 18% of the population. After gaining independence from the British in 1962, Uganda went through years of brutality under the regimes of both Milton Obote and Idi Amin. in 1986, Yoweri Museveni led his rebel forces to overthrow Idi Amin, restoring Uganda back to stability. Museveni has remained in power since then, bringing his presidency to 30 years. The lack of real positive social change seen during this time has caused many Ugandans to call for a change in leadership. However, Uganda is a country full of entrepreneurs. Where a gap has been left by the state, people find a way to fill it, from networks of socially supportive ties in villages, to individuals saving money to buy chickens or goats as an income generator, to the development of an app that monitors an infant’s heart rate, to the establishment of a technology innovation incubator in the capital, Kampala, encouraging the development of innovative homegrown, tech solutions to many of the challenges Ugandans face on a day to day basis. And these are just a few examples. At all levels, Ugandans are coming up with their own sustainable solutions to the issues that face them and their communities each day. Mama Hope’s partner in Budondo, a rural village in Eastern Uganda is a shining example of this determined and creative movement by Ugandans to improve their own lives. Partners in Uganda Budondo Intercultural Center Uganda
United States While MAMA HOPE has traditionally collaborated with partners in Africa, Central America and Asia, we have recognized the importance of supporting like-minded individuals and organizations in the United States as well. We have supported organizations with 3 program options, and are always interested in collaborating with others that want to scale their organization and impact, improve fundraising, or rethink their approach to marketing. Contact us with your ideas. Jania Massey, our first US-based Global Advocate, has made a big impact in the lives of youth in her community, with empowerment programs and mentorship. Workshops MAMA HOPE conducts on-site and remote training programs in the areas of fundraising, sustainability and nonprofit marketing. Contact us for a sample curriculum, or to discuss your objectives and how we can create a custom program for your team. Nonprofit Marketing As part of our mission to Stop the Pity, Unlock the Potential, we aim to support charitable organizations in examining their own storytelling, and whether human dignity has been exchanged to create an (unnecessary) shock and awe factor in their media. Through a series of activities and conversations, we explore how we can identify our own savior-based storytelling, and how we can shift the dialog. Fundraising & Sustainability MAMA HOPE has a unique and effective approach to coaching individuals and teams through the fundraising process. In our workshops, we explore how to identify and mobilize networks, and also how we can ensure funds are used to best advantage by the communities served. Global Advocates MAMA HOPE Global Advocates are a highly trained, next generation workforce that are available for placements within US-based nonprofits, to assist in areas of strategic planning, fundraising, and program execution. Global Advocates come from diverse, global backgrounds and arrive with 4 months of online and in-person classwork that grounds them in the fundamentals of human-centered development practices. Advocates arrived armed with a wealth of knowledge and an understanding of best practices in servant leadership and fundraising. As part of their training program, Advocates raise up to $20,000 to go directly to the nonprofit’s goals. Inquire today about how MAMA HOPE can support your organization in scaling its impact. Consulting MAMA HOPE can support your organization in building capacity, ensuring quality and consistency, and expanding your impact. After a formal application process, partners receive support from our sustainability team and the opportunity to possibly be included in grant proposals. We offer customized mentorship to help meet a diverse array of needs. Nonprofit founders may also participate in our Executive Advocate Fellowship program; a customized version of our Global Advocate program that helps founders refine their why, their focus, and to harness their passion for change — at scale.