About Light of Hope

The ministry to the poor widows, underprivileged school children, and needy adults came to life over a telephone conversation with a family member in Africa. I remember during the conversation, the Holy Spirit led me to ask specific questions about my old high school, but as the conversation was on, my uncle changed the conversation to the ordeal of scores of high school students that were sent out of the classrooms and prevented from taking their final terminal examinations because their parents could not pay for their school fees. After hanging up the phone, I was heavily burdened and could not sleep until I called him again to ask for the number of students and their school fees. There were 35 students with one or two-term school fee defaults. We knew these students needed help, and someone must rescue them at this hopeless time. They must return to school and complete their examinations. This was a call to service and the birth of The Light of Hope.

In most cases, our past life experiences determine how we see life and live today. This is because there are memories of life that will always be part of one’s life, including challenging and hopeless times. As I was thinking about this challenging situation of these students, the memory of my difficult school years came back to my mind. I remember that I had also been having the same problem many times during my high school years. Most times, my father, of blessed memory, would have to sell all his farm produce to pay for my school fees so that I could stay in class and take my examinations. I was moved with compassion while remembering my own painful and hopeless times. The next day, I discussed the situation with my wife, and we decided to rekindle the hope of these students with the bit of help we could offer them. I believe no child should have to experience such hopelessness, and I can help by the grace of God. We thank God for being able to pay for their school fees. We give the glory to God for the grace and privilege of being the light in their dark moment. But we will need the support of kindhearted people like you to do more.

One-time help is insufficient, and the effort cannot be concluded. We also realized that there would be more dark moments because of the prevailing high poverty level in the community of these students. Most of their parents cannot afford two meals a day for their families; they live on less than a dollar or a pound a day. Education is more or less a necessary luxury for their children to make a positive difference in their families and their generation. Despite all these challenges, these students and their parents are resilient in their belief and hope of getting an education for a better future. This is a noble goal that the privileged and kindhearted people must support. We believe in every aspiring child’s hope and a better future. This light must not die because light gives energy and hope. Our belief in hope and a better future for the underprivileged and the needy is the essence of establishing The Light of Hope. We believe we can always be the light in the dark moments of life for the people who need the light of hope, regardless of their race, nationality, culture, and religion.

In the same act of compassion and in the fulfillment of the call to serve the underprivileged, in December 2017, Light of Hope had its first “Hope Banquette.” At the banquette, we distributed food items and financial gifts to over 45 poor widows and seniors. This event was a celebration of hope and a demonstration of our commitment to serving the underprivileged. We give the glory to God for the grace to be the light that brings hope and joy to people in need. This light must remain illuminated and continue producing effects. In our prayers, we affect everyone who comes across us in the areas where our light must shine to give and bring back their joy and hope.

The greater the intensity of light, the brighter it becomes. We need your help and support to increase the intensity and impact of Light of Hope. Your continued support is crucial in our mission to spread the rays of this light and impact many generations, prepare and assure our youth of a better tomorrow, comfort the widow in need, restore strength and joy to helpless seniors, and above all, be a blessing to people in time of need.

Our Goals:

1. To provide scholarships to as many underprivileged students as possible.
2. To provide vocational and leadership training to the youth.
3. To provide financial and material support to the poor widows and the needy people.
4. To shine the Light of Hope in as many dark moments as we have the grace to shine.

We have dedicated representatives in the United States of America and Africa who are coordinating the Light of Hope projects.

Thanks.

Pastor Olayinka Matthew Balogun
Founder of Light of Hope

• Our Africa Coordinators