Over half of the world’s population (approx. 3 billion) is under the age of 15. Approximately 2 billion of these children live in extreme poverty and all the consequences it brings. We have a strong conviction in ZEKE that we are all to respond and help the children who need it most. We will be one of the army rising to tackle this challenge. It is our heart to bring aid, love, encouragement, resources, and training. It is our quest to SPARK a light of sustainable change, to SPARK others to join in this quest, to SPARK hope in the hearts of children.

“In the name of the best within you, do not sacrifice this world to those who are its worst. In the name of the values that keep you alive, do not let your vision of man be distorted by the ugly, the cowardly, the mindless in those who have never achieved his title. Do not lose your knowledge that man's proper estate is an upright posture, an intransigent mind and a step that travels unlimited roads. Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it's yours.” Ayn Rand

WHERE ARE THE SPARKS OF ZEKE?

HOPESVILLE FORUM

This is an online urban villa of information, connection, community, and creative projects that benefit developing world projects. It is designed to engage most specifically under 30’s and under 30’s artists in the plight of the world’s most exploited, children-at-risk. It is in partnership with Hope For The Nations (www.hopeforthenations.com).

It will include:

• A central hub our international projects listed on this page through Zeke or through our HFTN partnership.
• Friendly language reviews of the status of the world’s children
• Platform of artists using their artistic pursuits or careers in whole or part to bring change to needy children or those in poverty. Artists can connect with Hope to be a part of the challenge, individuals can be inspired by them or purchase their art that supports children-at-risk projects.
• Links and connections to be informed or get involved in the humanitarian community

ADVOCACY & AWARENESS

We will do this through creative performing events, our NGO partnerships, the Hopesville forum with Hope For The Nations, and one-by-one. Please see www.hopesville.ca for more in this area.

EDUCATION

785 million adults in the world are illiterate let alone educated enough to obtain highly productive and influencing careers. It’s statistically proven across the globe, even today, that education gives a person keys to better their future and their communities, notwithstanding it making them a better person. We have a passion to be a part of education from the very beginning straight through to post-secondary. We desire to bring sustainable change in academic, spiritual, and character education in the lives of those who need it most.

Current projects in development:

• International Youth Education Bursary: Partnering with HFTN, this program is committed to helping orphans rescued and adopted into children’s homes. We believe that education is the key to overcome poverty, maintain a good standard of living, and bring change. The dream of this program is to see these children not just survive, read and write, but also to hold skills or degrees that will create jobs and make them leaders in their communities. It is a bursary designed to finance their education through all levels of schooling, including post-secondary, as well as help with life skills, goal development, faith development, and a mission to bring change in their own country.
• Mat School Development: HFTN initiative to develop better quality, more accessible, and low cost education for at-risk children. We are partnering with HFTN to help them make it a reality in Cambodia with the vision to see it spread across the globe.
• Skittles for Schools: A loonie and toonie raising project to help school aged children in the developed world raise tuition money for their counter-parts in age living in an underdeveloped country. All funds will currently be distributed through HFTN schools and children.
• International Youth Ambassador Program: Zeke will take youth and young adult teams to give children in poverty or trauma a camp or creative education experience. These teams will host camps and seminars for children in poor communities and IDP (International displaced person) around the world. We call them ‘I Have A Dream’ camps which are focused on life skill education, introduction to a world view, and to spark a hope for their future. These short term trips and projects are only in connection with an ongoing children’s project in each area we visit in a focused effort to support sustainable change and a long term commitment to the child. Our hope is that not only will students use their skill sets to inspire a young generation but they will be inspired themselves to live a life that continues to impact children in need.

ARTS COMMUNITY

As mentioned on our story page (please see that link for more info), we will always have the voice of the unheard, exploited children as a part of creative endeavors. More and more we hope to use the creativity of Zeke but also to partner with artists who would like to contribute through the art to children in need. These artists will be profiled on the Hopesville.ca website, where as Zeke specific endeavors will be shared on this website.

FUNDS

Our hope and dream is to garner funds in order to distribute to children in the under-developed countries or into our projects that impacts them. You can contribute to Zeke, our children, and our projects by going to the connect link on our web.

RESOURCES