Sustainable Hope International’s work began in Thailand. Working through some of the country’s fifty “Welfare Schools” for orphaned and impoverished students, the group utilizes a program of education, basic life and leadership-skills training, as well as positive character formation—along with the powerful incentive of acquiring English as a second language—and offers youth real hope for the future which, otherwise, would be an impossible dream. Not only does this ensure their financial future—keeping them from circumstances too heartbreaking to describe—but it breaks a cycle of poverty and gives more youth hope that their tomorrows can be different.
Each Welfare School provides room and board for 600 to 900 youth. Although these schools are very eager to have We Can™ Clubs at their location, it is vital for Sustainable Hope International to first complete the development of its high-quality, standardized curriculum which will allow We Can™ Clubs to maintain a superior level of excellence.
The organization trains in-country volunteers. The facilitators of the “We Can Clubs” receive up to two weeks of training annually with our professional consultant. The We Can™ Club curriculum also receives added annual evaluation and possible revisions to meet the needs of youth in the Welfare Schools. The We Can™ Club curriculum is field-tested in the United States and annually evaluated for quality assurance. This will allow We Can™ Clubs to maintain a superior level of excellence.
For students demonstrating an interest and aptitude for higher education, Sustainable Hope International helps provide scholarships for continued vocational or university-level training. For just a few thousand dollars, Sustainable Hope is able to underwrite a student’s college education, including tuition, room and board, computer, books and supplies, and required uniform.
But what makes this program so sustainable is that We Can™ Clubs advance a new way of thinking among students — one of “giving back” to their community and to the world. Students are encouraged to value a reciprocating concern for others by being involved in community service. They serve as role models, mentors, supporters, and “We Can Clubs” volunteers for a new generation of at-risk youth who need to know there is hope and a future for them.
The great news is Sustainable Hope International’s ability to leverage local partnerships and a small amount of money to make an enormous difference in the lives of young people.
Long-Term Value and a Lifetime Return on Investment
Sustainable Hope International invests in youth who otherwise would have little hope for a secure future. Orphaned and/or impoverished, attending Welfare Schools, living in remote villages far from urban economies…these are youth who have tremendous potential, if only given a chance.
Many of these youth are gifted, but have nowhere else to turn to change their life’s circumstances. We Can™ Clubs support youth who have little to no access to family support structures, providing: free supplemental education for youth, grades 9 through 12; practical life and leadership-skills training; culturally-sensitive curriculum; indigenous, grassroots volunteers; and scholarships for continued vocational and university-level training.
With support from generous donors, Sustainable Hope International is able to help students continue their education, and create a brighter future, not only for themselves, but for coming generations.
