Centers of HOPE worldwide: January 2009

Next stop Nairobi

well, should have been..

Instead we opted to the largest, wealthiest and busiest country in Africa, and a big one for HOPE worldwide too - namely Nigeria.

The Global Summit, Washington DC

My first trip to HOPE worldwide's annual conference, and the second time in the US in three months time!

Hectic preparations to get the books finished (and all came together at the last minute, as always). Great reception, everyone just loved the images and wanted to have the books.. alas the printing costs are still prohibitive of large scale distribution. Will be working on that and also looking for possible sponsors from the next ventures.

Finally, the books are out

INDIA

AFGHANISTAN

PHILIPPINES

CAMBODIA

UNITED STATES

CODE D'IVOIRE

Now counting six books in total, ready for the Global Summit in Washington and to start their duty of spreading the word.

My last day in Code d'Ivoire

What a way to end my fabulous trip. Our driver Fred takes me to the village of Bapu where his wife comes from.

We drive two hours west and finally arrive at the village to be greeted by the Chief and the uncles. After some African hospitality we spend a lovely afternoon with them. Next time I'll spend a day or two with the fishermen, doing what they do best - go fishing :)

Kids playing and posing in Locodrojo

Just as any where else in the world!

Meet baby Esther at Locodrojo

Orphaned baby Esther weighed only 4 kilos at one year when she was brought to the nutrion programme run by HOPE worldwide in the local community of Locodrojo, Abidjan.

Girls school at Abobo

Raising the roof at Church Service

One of the highlights of my travels are visits to local churches and congregations around the world. It is just plain amazing how people having the same faith in one God do feel like your extended family. Warm welcome is always guaranteed, and if ever I needed anything somebody would be there to help :)