Growing Hope Globally

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Growing Hope Globally

Growing lasting solutions to world hunger. Growing Hope Globally seeks lasting, positive change in the world by eliminating food insecurity.

We invite all to join us in imaging a world without hunger and in working to make it happen.

09/02/2026

In Zirai Ward, home of the Seshundi Harvesting group, opportunities for youth are limited and work is only available when individual farmers need help. Made up of ten youth, including seven men and three women, the group had long worked together harvesting cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper, but lacked strong skills in proper harvesting or quality processing. They were eager to improve but weren’t sure how to enhance the quality to take advantage of better pay opportunities.

One youth member said, “Before the training, we were harvesting, but we knew we were not doing it the right way. We did not understand proper preparation and processing, and that made returns very small.”

They connected with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) through a local agricultural extension officer who encouraged them to attend training on post-harvest handling. With this support, the group learned to harvest and process cinnamon using the cigar method. Cigar type cinnamon requires more work, but it is also of greater value, selling for about $3.40/KG while ordinary cinnamon sells for $1.33/KG.

After training, the group received a ten-kilogram order of cigar type cinnamon from a local company. After successfully meeting the customer's requirements, the order was expanded to 125 kilograms. However, they struggled with working capital, so they could not supply the full amount immediately. The customer contacted the extension officer, who assured them that, with support, the group could prepare the full amount. With this assurance, the group was provided with funds to buy raw cinnamon sticks from farmers and they were able to successfully complete the full order.

By helping youth groups build capacity and access capital, the program strengthens the wider cinnamon value chain and increases household opportunities across the community. Today, the Seshundi Youth Group is no longer limited to harvesting for individual farmers with low returns. They can now do business by producing cinnamon for specific buyers using the cigar method. They have also proven they can meet real market demand.

“We used to harvest and process without confidence. Now that we understand the methods, we can deliver what buyers need, and we feel proud and hopeful for better income.”

The Tanzania Muheza Same program is led by Catholic Relief Services (CRS). For more information on this program and ways you can help, visit our website: https://www.growinghopeglobally.org/program/tanzania-muheza-same/

09/01/2026

Looking to stay up to date with Growing Hope Globally? Find out more about the latest news, events, and trips by subscribing to our e-newsletter! Newsletters come out on the 1st of each month, so watch for the September edition in your inbox today.

Visit our website under the "News & Events" tab, or click here to sign up: https://www.growinghopeglobally.org/blog/newsletter-signup/

Thanks for your support of Growing Hope Globally!

08/31/2026

Meet Our Members Monday! We are thankful to partner with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in the Burundi Nyanza and Zambia Luapula programs. NCM works with local partners and local churches to provide training on conservation agriculture, seed distribution, small livestock management, savings and loan groups, and market linkages, focusing on improved agricultural production, climate-smart farming, financial literacy, business skills, and diversified livelihoods. Protecting environmental resources is also a key component.

Thank you Nazarene Compassionate Ministries! Find out more about what they are doing around the world at their website: https://ncm.org

08/28/2026

Thank you to Beck's Hybrids for your faithful support of Growing Hope Globally! If you happen to be at Becknology Days, please stop by and see us!

08/27/2026

It's back to school time! We want to take a moment to thank all of our FFA chapters for their support of Growing Hope Globally. The AGWSR FFA (IA) alone raised over $11,000 in support of making a global difference in the fight against world hunger! We look forward to sharing more success stories in the upcoming school year.

Your local FFA chapter can make a difference too! Check out our website for more FFA resources: https://www.growinghopeglobally.org/get-involved/ffa-resources/

08/25/2026

Leaving his community in southern Honduras, Cristian spent seven long years migrating between cities, searching for work that would justify the absence from his wife, Kenci, and their three-year-old son. Despite his efforts, he could not find the stability or income required to make that separation worthwhile.

This struggle is common across Honduras’s Dry Corridor; but, Cristian’s story took a new trajectory when he decided to return home and participate in the program with local partner, CODESO.

Cristian began working on a two-acre farm with a new sense of purpose and support from CODESO. He learned to diversify his plot, planting different seeds and applying conservation agriculture techniques to improve the soil.

Today, Cristian enjoys a life defined by the peace and stability that comes from being together as a family, steady savings in an agricultural savings group, more food to eat than before, and, for the first time, an ability to take his own products to local markets. In the past, Cristian would carry packages for other employers, but now he has become a supplier to those who were once his employers.

Cristian’s family has embraced their faith and now attends church together. He is committed to working the land that has become the foundation of his family’s future and does not expect to have to leave his family again.

The Honduras Orocuina & Liure program is led by Mennonite Central Committee - MCC and local partner Comite de Acción Social (CODESO). For more information about this program and ways you can help, visit our website: https://www.growinghopeglobally.org/program/honduras-orocuina-liure/

08/24/2026

Meet Our Members Monday! We are thankful to partner with the Mennonite Central Committee - MCC in these eight programs across the globe.

MCC works with local partners around the world to make sure there is food for today, food for tomorrow and food for all. In situations of conflict or a disaster, they provide emergency food assistance including food packages, vouchers and cash. Local partners work with farmers on new techniques to improve soil health and increase yields, and advocate for government policies that allow everyone to access enough food.

Thank you Mennonite Central Committee! Find out more about what they are doing around the world at their website: https://mcc.org

08/21/2026

Urgently in Need of Funding Friday! These programs need your support today - can you help?

Find out more on our website: https://www.growinghopeglobally.org/programs/ =.urgent-funding

The agricultural development programs we support create a lasting impact by addressing the root causes of hunger. This includes training on improved farming practices, hygiene and nutrition; providing access to land and clean water; and providing women’s empowerment and leadership opportunities. Thanks for your support!

08/19/2026

Become a virtual farmer with Sponsor an Acre, and watch hope (and corn) grow! Our own Mark Swanson is back to let you know how you can adopt an acre, a half an acre, or a quarter of an acre to help grow lasting solutions to hunger. Thanks to the Seeds for Hope of NE Iowa Growing Project! Find out more on our website: https://give.growinghopeglobally.org/seedsforhope

08/18/2026

In the steep hills of western Uganda, many smallholder farmers depend on coffee as their primary source of income, relying on small plots of land to meet essential needs such as food, healthcare, and education. Although climatic conditions are favorable for the production of high quality coffee, many households experience low returns driven by low productivity, poor agronomic practices, limited market access, and weak extension support services.

The situation was no different for Georgina, who manages 723 coffee trees. Due to low yields and a dependence on middlemen who bought at exploitative prices, she earned only $166 from coffee in 2023. "We worked alone without guidance and sold coffee cheaply to middlemen because we had no other option. Even after all the hard work, the income was never enough to fully support the family."

A major turning point for Georgina and her neighbors came in 2024 when Mountain Harvest helped them organize the 36-member Kithoma Organic Farmers Association, and began training youth entrepreneurs to work closely with farmers, providing regular extension support and hands-on training in improved agronomic practices. Farmers also received training in financial literacy, strengthening their skills in budgeting, savings, record keeping, and income planning.

Georgina applied what she learned and as her coffee yields and quality improved, she dedicated one of her coffee plots as a demonstration farm where fellow farmers could learn through practical experience. “Many farmers did not believe these practices could make a difference until they came and saw the results on my farm. Now they are learning, applying the methods, and improving their own coffee," Georgina excitedly explained. ''The youth entrepreneurs taught us how to make and apply compost, and after using it, I saw a big difference in my coffee. Farmers who visit the demonstration garden can now see the results for themselves."

Georgina saw the economic impact as well. Her coffee yields increased by 69% between 2023 and 2025. With improved market access and higher quality coffee, she was able to earn $562 last season. "Before, I used to struggle with rent and uncertain income. Now, from coffee earnings, I have been able to build my own house, and I no longer depend on renting. My life has become more stable."

"The Youth Entrepreneurship Program has been groundbreaking. The youth come to our farms, guide us step by step, and now everything is clear. We are learning, improving, and seeing real results. Coffee farming has been revived." Georgina said.

The Uganda Rwenzori program is led by Lutheran World Relief and local partner Mountain Harvest. For more information on this program and ways you can help, visit our website: https://www.growinghopeglobally.org/program/uganda-rwenzori/

Address

4479 Central Avenue
Western Springs, IL
60558

Telephone

+18882764372

Website

http://www.growinghopeglobally.org/

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