(Above) The planting team at Mouléké Camp proudly displays the saplings that will soon grow into fruit-bearing trees. These trees are more than just plants; they symbolize hope, nourishment and the resilience of the community

In August 2024, I stood in an orchard among young mango, lemon and avocado trees, planted just a year earlier at Mouléké Camp in the Republic of Congo. This agriculture project, supported by the Canada and Bermuda Territory and led by women’s ministries, was designed to increase food security and support long-term nutritional health in Mouléké and the surrounding communities.

Food scarcity is a significant issue in this area, leading to severe malnutrition among children. The Congo (Brazzaville) Territory decided that fruit would be an ideal source of nutrition, as it could be easily cultivated in the region. A total of 1,000 fruit tree seedlings were planted.

I could envision what the orchard would look like in two years, when the trees mature and bear fruit, providing the camp and surrounding community with a diverse range of fruit. It warmed my heart and filled me with deep gratitude for the generous individuals whose support of Gifts of Hope made this project possible.

Over the past year, the Gifts of Hope campaign has supported numerous projects worldwide, including the construction of a borehole at Gamboma Primary School in the eastern region of Congo. Clean water is a scarce resource in the Gamboma District, and this issue has had a significant impact on the health of approximately 8,630 people in the area, including children, pregnant women and the elderly.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT BILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD STILL LACK ACCESS TO SAFELY MANAGED DRINKING WATER.

The Congo (Brazzaville) Territory identified a critical need for clean water and wanted to address it by constructing a borehole on their property, which would provide clean water for both the school and the surrounding community.

The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda, through Gifts of Hope, supported this crucial project and helped ensure that the borehole would provide a reliable source of clean water for years to come.

In Canada and Bermuda, access to clean water is not a common issue. However, it’s important to remember that billions of people around the world still lack access to safely managed drinking water. By supporting initiatives such as the Gifts of Hope campaign, together, we can help provide this essential resource to communities in need, transforming lives and increasing health where it is most urgently required.

The Salvation Army’s Gifts of Hope campaign is more than just a charitable initiative—it’s a powerful way to make an impact on the lives of individuals and communities around the world. When you give through Gifts of Hope, you’re not just donating money, you’re providing essential resources, such as clean water, education, health care and sustainable livelihoods. Imagine the joy of knowing your gift helped a child attend school, a family gain access to clean water or a community build a thriving farm. These are not just temporary fixes but long-term solutions that empower people to build a better future.

The Gifts of Hope campaign offers an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution. Every gift is chosen to meet the real needs of people in the Global South. By participating in Gifts of Hope, you’re becoming part of a worldwide movement that transforms lives and communities, offering dignity, hope and a brighter future to those who need it most. Your generosity can spark a ripple effect of positive change—one gift at a time.

MAJOR ELAINE LOCKE is the project campaign manager in the international development department.

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