1 MISSION, DIFFERENT PROJECTS

Educational support for youth leaders
The Foundation is supporting several youth leaders who are motivated and who were involved as youth leaders during our years of serving in the Dominican Republic. The support for education is mainly for those that used to work directly with Jan and Elizabeth, and they are well known. Most youth are aged between 14 and 21 years of age, and all of them have common that they come from families that are not able to support education. 
One important aspect is also that the youth leaders learn English, and they have come a long way. The ability to speak english in the tourist area on the North coast is a strong benefit to find jobs as well. It is our conviction that good education is such an important element in breaking out of the circle of poverty.
This support varies from going to university, or weekly english classes, but also to support financially with public transportation cost to school. 
As well as helping students to get new uniforms for school when they outgrow them.

Weekly food program for children and elderly
This is a weekly program in Paradis village where Jan and Elizabeth closely worked with the local Pastor and church. Well over 100 kids and the elderly of the village receive a healthy meal every week. 
From a financial perspective, this is our most expensive project, but it serves many children and elderly, and the cooks do receive a small compensation for their weekly work.

Family support
As you probably know, when a father or mother falls ill in a family, or if they pass away, this has a huge impact on the family as the daily income stops. There are no government support systems for this in place, and the type of work that these people have is just enough to get by every single day. As a Foundation, we step in and help these type of families to cover some of the basic needs every month, so that food and education is still able to continue despite the illness or passing away of a family member.
It is important to note that in these cases, when the older child is able to finish the education, then they can start to take care of the family. 
This means that as a Foundation, we dare to look at the long term support, as this is an important part of helping local people to become self-sustainable again.

Youthleader in Haiti
For years already the neighbor country Haiti has been victim of large unrest and severe crime activites, as they continue to have a very instable government. One of our youth leaders who worked with us very faithfully in the garbage dump community, was forced to leave the Dominican Republic and has been stuck back in Haiti. 
The severe violence in the area results in him, and most people, to remain at home as much as possible, only leaving the house for the basic essentials.
Jan and Elizabeth stay in regular contact and it is heart breaking to hear the stories about hunger and fear and the sense that they are losing hope.
Our youthleader is involved in the local church, despite all the challenges, and he is able to use his children ministry experience from working with Jan and Elizabeth in the past, to bring hope to many children within the church community.
Through the Foundation we are able to support him with a small support every month for some of his basic needs.

Baby milk
For many years we have been supporting several babies from different families who are in dire need for baby milk.
Although breastfeeding is preferred, often the moms are not healthy and strong enough to provide the quality milk their babies require. When they have to rely on (powder) baby milk, this is a significant financial cost for them.
This is a very needy and practical support that the Foundation is able to give. We always have a waiting list for more support.

Emergency Fund
Families with very low income are struggling to make it every day. If they then have to deal with an unexpected event such as sickness, death, or loss of a job, then this often results directly in much bigger problems. Even the basic necessities is then a struggle for them. It is incredibly difficult to survive such a season without ending up in a downward spiral.
We want to be able to provide that temporary support in those seaons or events, as needed. This type of help is often related to financial aid for funeral cost, or helping to cover medical bills or pharmacy prescriptions. 

Spiritual support
It is one thing to provide for the practial needs, as mentioned above. But as Foundation, we want to ensure that also the spiritual support remains connected to the projects that are done. We are very thankful for our dear friend Pastor Guillermo who is a vital partner 'on the ground' and through the local church that is involved in our projects for the community members. He is always ready to visit people, talk and pray with them, and this aspect is well covered even after Jan and Elizabeth left the Dominican Republic.

As a supporter of the Hope and Healing Foundation, you can choose for your gift to go to a specific project, or that your gift is given generally, so that the Foundation can direct it to where the biggest need is at that time. 
We are so thankful that together we can make a difference in these lives!

Thank you for your support and prayers around these people and projects!

From the boardmembers.
Arjan de Pee
Carla Reurink
Hans Schaap
Hans Bauke Tuinier
Chris Vroon