The Very Beginning

We can still remember it like it was yesterday; the day the children finally came to the City of Hope! Teamwork City of Hope began with an idea in 2007, everything between then and the day the children arrived in February 2009, had been simply preparation for the awaited day! Countless hours were spent in constructing buildings, collecting supplies, and preparing a new home for the orphaned children. Blood, sweat, and tears of volunteers from all over went into the newly established project. Expectations were high, and the sky seemed to be the limit! Thanks to the effort, money, and prayers given by so many, the day had finally arrived.

Hundreds of people had walked for miles and miles, from all over the countryside of Tanzania, in order to attend the momentous occasion. Aunts, uncles, grandfathers and grandmothers, family members and friends all wanted their children to be the first to grow up at the City of Hope.  The laughter of children filled the air, and joy filled the hearts of the staff of the City of Hope! Finally, the children’s home would be filled!

This day was to be celebrated with a feast, as most occasions in Tanzania are. The meal consisted rice and beef, a delicacy in the area. The meal was to be served at noon, but early on, we could tell we had many more children than we expected to feed, and even more, far too many children to accept into our children’s home.

After several months of finding and selecting the children with the greatest need, we settled on fifty of them. Unfortunately, many more people showed up in hopes of their name being called. They had hope for a brighter future. At last the climatic moment had arrived; the names where called out. The children were given new uniforms and showed to their new home. Their smiles were wider then ever as they slowly began to realize that they would sleep on a bed for the first time. Some of the children had never even seen a bed before and where accustomed to sleeping on the floor, others were used to sharing a mattress with their entire family. The new children had also been blessed with stuffed animals as well. Some of which, were made by the generous hands of our supporters. It was a happy day for so many! It marked the day they received a loving family with many brothers and sisters.

They could finally rest in safety: no longer searching for shelter or food. This day represented a future with no limit. We where able to provide them with the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment.

Unfortunately, this was not the same for every child. Because were not yet able to operate at full capacity, over 300 children were turned away. Our goal is to one day fulfill the dreams of all those children who left that day. We are growing daily because of people’s generosity, and have since nearly doubled our numbers.

The children we have now, are remarkable. Their stories are heart wrenching, but their futures bright! They have overcome great hardships in their young lives, but they refuse to let their circumstances hold them back. We can still remember what it was like to see their smiling faces each morning when they woke up. Not a day would pass that they were not thankful for the opportunity they had been given. These children are the future of Ntagatcha, Tanzania, and the world. Some of them dream of becoming doctors in America and others, teachers in their home village to make a difference in the lives of those they love. The children are the catalysts for change in the area, they are the beacons of hope!

We have done so much in such a short amount of time! The vision is less than four years old, but the results will echo for generations. We have already caught the attention of the entire nation, including its leader. Our supporters range from all ends of the globe. We only have the hands of many to thank for this mighty work, and our lord Jesus Christ.

Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward. Mark 9:41