HISTORY

In 2003, Heather left Montana and took an assignment with a nonprofit organization that works in vulnerable places of Africa. Then a change in South African guardianship laws shut down the program overnight and the children were forced to return to the original vulnerable situations in their villages. This was when a seed was planted in Heather to advocate for their futures. In the years to follow time was spent developing relationships with youth in South Africa through after school programs and VBS camps led by South African youth and US volunteers. In 2012 Hope of Africa was established. Hope of Africa is a Christ centered ministry that was founded on principles of family, advocating for the broken and giving them belonging and hope. In 2013, a ministry safe house was established, and yearly leadership camps were held. In 2014 Hope of Africa partnered with AWANA International to bring Sunday School curriculum to 220 village churches in South Africa. Hope of Africa expanded to Uganda in 2017. Now Hope of Africa is bridging intentional holistic discipleship with skills training helping each student that comes through their doors to have a hope in Christ and future in having skills that allow them to care for their families.

Today Hope of Africa is working to improve the lives of vulnerable youth through leadership development, community development and skills training.

Hope of Africa’s ultimate message is that Jesus is the hope of the world, and we wish to exemplify that by truly loving and training our youth to serve others. We want them to thrive, and be all God created them to be. Many will leave Africa’s borders to serve in other parts of the world and bring this same message of hope to unreached or underserved communities.