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Monday 07:30 - 16:15 Tuesday 07:30 - 16:15 Wednesday 07:30 - 16:15 Thursday 07:30 - 16:15 Friday 07:30 - 13:15

Special Hope Network

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Special Hope Network

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Creating a world for kids with intellectual disabilities. Because every child has value. ❤️

Special Hope Network is a faith-based, Christian organization called to bear witness to God’s glory through caring for children with intellectual disabilities in Zambia. 🇿🇲 We do this by equipping families and caregivers to provide for these children with a loving home, holistic health, and exceptional education and therapies.

06/10/2026

Tonight is a great night to get updated on all things Special Hope, if you are in Central VA! I will be sharing at 6:30 in Ruckersville. Please come if you are able. We'd love to have you!

01/10/2026

⭐️ Staff Spotlight ⭐️
Meet Milika Phiri, our Director of Operations & Head of Human Resources.

Milika is a self-directed, goal-oriented leader who is always learning and looking for ways to strengthen our team. She stays up to date on compliance and labor laws, helping ensure our staff are well supported and that Special Hope operates responsibly.

But Milika’s impact goes far beyond her expertise. Staff know they can come to her with work challenges and personal struggles alike. She listens with care, offers thoughtful guidance, and makes people feel supported.
That care for our team has a direct impact on the children and families we serve. When our staff are supported, equipped, and able to do their work well, families experience more consistent care and support. Milika’s attention to people, her integrity, and her commitment to doing things well help strengthen the foundation of the work happening in our Community Care Centers every day.

Her faith shapes the way she leads, bringing compassion, integrity, and a genuine care for the people around her.

Thank you, Milika, for the many ways you care for our team and help us serve children and families well!

25/09/2026

Shining like stars at Night to Shine! What a joyful day with our kings and queens - God’s royalty! 👑

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Psalm 139:14

Tim Tebow Foundation

24/09/2026

Sometimes, a small opportunity can create a ripple of change.

Through our partnership with the nonprofit RecycloCraftz, leftover fabric materials are donated to Special Hope. One determined mother saw an opportunity in what others might discard and learned to turn the scraps into beautiful, durable doormats.
For many of the mothers we serve, this kind of opportunity is transformational. Many are single mothers and have little or no reliable source of income. Learning a skill they can use to earn an income gives them a way to provide for their families and care for their children.

And this mother didn’t stop there. She chose to share her skill, training five other mothers to make doormats of their own. Together, they are building livelihoods, gaining confidence, and strengthening their families.
It’s a beautiful picture of empowerment: when someone is given an opportunity, they can turn around and create opportunities for others.

We’re grateful to Global 8235 and RecycloCraftz for helping make this possible. Together, we’re seeing how creativity, generosity, and determination can turn what might be discarded into something of lasting value.

And thank YOU for your support of these families, as they seek to care for their children with intellectual disabilities well.

01/09/2026

WOW. What an incredible Week of Hope!

Because of the generosity of this amazing community, a total of $269,252.02 was raised—including the $181,108 matching challenge—to help strengthen and sustain Special Hope’s ministry in Zambia.

Thank you for showing up.

Thank you for believing in children with intellectual disabilities and their families.

Thank you for helping protect and strengthen a ministry that is reaching farther and serving more effectively than ever before.

Throughout the week, we shared the message:

THE NUMBERS CHANGED. THE MISSION DID NOT.

And because of you, the mission continues.

Children will continue to learn.

Families will continue to find support.

Caregivers will continue to show up.

Hope will continue to grow.

We are incredibly grateful to every person who gave, prayed, shared, and encouraged us throughout Week of Hope.

Thank you for being part of this story.

With deep gratitude,

Eric & Holly Nelson

P.S. The Week of Hope campaign has ended, but our work continues every day. You can still support children with intellectual disabilities and their families by giving at specialhopenetwork.org

24/08/2026

Today is the final day to join us for Week of Hope.

Special Hope is facing an unexpected financial challenge, but the ministry continues to grow, children continue to learn, and families continue to find hope.

A $181,108 matching challenge has been committed to this campaign, giving your gift an opportunity to make twice the impact.

If you haven’t given yet, would you join us today?

Your gift will help ensure that children with intellectual disabilities and their families continue to receive the care, support, and hope they need.

Thank you for standing with Special Hope.

Specialhopenetwork.org/donate

22/08/2026

A Ministry worth standing behind:
Why our board members believe in Special Hope.

Week of Hope is about more than overcoming a financial challenge. It’s about protecting a ministry that people believe in deeply.

So we asked members of our U.S. and Zambian boards a simple question: Why do you choose to support Special Hope Network?

Their answers are different, and together they tell a powerful story about why this ministry is worth standing behind.

The Numbers changed. The mission did not.

These board members aren’t supporting an idea or a ministry that might make a difference someday. They’ve chosen to stand behind a ministry they have seen changing lives.

And right now, Special Hope needs all of us to stand with them.

During Week of Hope, every gift is matched up to $181,108.

Will you join us?

Donate now and double your gift: specialhopenetwork.org/giveonline/

20/08/2026

The best ministry we’ve ever had is facing its biggest challenge
By Eric Nelson

Dear Friends,

As I think about Special Hope today, I find myself thinking about the words Charles Dickens wrote at the beginning of A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

In so many ways, this is the best season in Special Hope’s history.

Our staff is stronger than ever. Our culture is healthy and joyful. Our programs are thriving. Today, 180 children are receiving therapy, education, nutrition, crisis care, and the unconditional love of a community that believes every child is created with value and purpose.

Our three Community Care Centers are serving children and families in some of Lusaka’s poorest communities. Finding Joy Zambia is providing refuge for children in crisis. Our Community Outreach team is changing the way communities understand disability. And in Lusangazi, hope is beginning to take root for more than 120 children and families in this rural province.

Over sixteen years, more than 15,000 children and family members have experienced the love of Christ through Special Hope.

I can honestly say something I have never been able to say before:

This is the best ministry we’ve ever had.

And yet, we are facing the biggest challenge we never planned for.

On January 5, 2026, a change in Zambian government regulations ended the use of U.S. dollars in local transactions. Almost immediately, the value of every dollar supporting our ministry declined by nearly one-third, creating a $333,000 gap in our annual budget.

Nothing about our ministry changed.

The children did not become less hungry.
Families did not stop needing support.
Therapy sessions still need to happen.
Teachers still show up every morning.
Caregivers still visit homes.
Children still laugh, learn, and discover that they are deeply loved.

The numbers changed. The mission did not…

Read the rest of Eric’s letter at the link in our stories.

19/08/2026

Week of Hope is underway! 💙

For more than 16 years, Special Hope Network has been creating a world where children with intellectual disabilities are valued, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.

This year, an unexpected change in Zambia’s economy has created a significant financial challenge for our ministry. The numbers changed. The mission did not.

During Week of Hope, every gift will be matched up to $181,108. Your generosity can help provide therapy, education, healthcare, nutrition, and hope for children and families in Zambia.

Will you join us?

Give today: specialhopenetwork.org/donate

Address

9160/2 Gate 38, Lunsemfwa Road, Kalundu
Lusaka
10101

Opening Hours

Monday	07:30 - 16:15
Tuesday	07:30 - 16:15
Wednesday	07:30 - 16:15
Thursday	07:30 - 16:15
Friday	07:30 - 13:15

Telephone

+260974305739

Website

http://www.specialhopenetwork.org/

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