About Vision of Good Hope

We have been operating for around 10 years now and understand that people may not know where we are based or what we do. Here is a little background to the charity and to the region we work in.

Where are we?

Vision of Good Hope has, since 2001, dramatically impacted the Slobodzea area of Transnistria. "Trans-where?" you ask! Well, literally "Across the Dniester", referring to the Dniester river which divides the country of Moldova.

To best understand the politics, it may not be too far off the mark to compare it to the politics of Ireland. The House of Hope is situated in a separatist region of Moldova. To the residents there, it is an entirely separate country, regardless of what recognition is given by international authorities.

But the politics aside, Moldova is officially accepted as the most impoverished country in Europe. Massive unemployment, many incidences of alcoholism, very few stable family structures and a child abandonment rate of, we believe, around 50%. Let that sink in - 50% of the children born in Transdniestria are either:

• Not wanted by their parents
• Left to fend for themselves by parents with alcohol (or other) addictions.
• Born into families or relationships which cannot cater for them.
• Left behind whilst their families go abroad to seek a better life.

It is against this backdrop that 3 men (Robert Patton, Drew Davison and Noel Hara) decided to support the establishment of an orphanage for children which would provide them with hope, love, family and a future. And with thanks to all the support we have received over the past 10 years - both financial and prayerful - it is a privilege to be able to report that this is exactly what we have achieved.

What do we do?

House of Hope

When the project first started, we purchased an abandoned, half-built structure with some surrounding ground. We then completed the building, hired staff to cater for the various needs of the children in the area and started to look for and accept children who would have no other alternative than going to a state-run orphanage. For many, that is purely a death sentence. They may live to be many years old, but they will not have any opportunity for much fulfillment in their lives.

Since 2006, we have been a home for children. A place of refuge. A place where they can know safety, comfort and love, especially if they've never known them before.

The number of children at any one time in the orphanage can fluctuate, but it is usually somewhere between 25 and 35. You can read much more about the orphanage itself at the House of Hope page.

Gary McCullough Outreach Centre

And since 2009, we have also been trying to work amongst the other children of the local Glinoye village (and their families), but doing some social outreach from a new building at the back of the House of Hope complex. This purpose built facility also provides accommodation for the summer teams rather than having them inconvenience the residents of the House of Hope.

You can read more about the history of it and find our more about what actually goes on at the dedicated Outreach Centre page.

Additional Work in the Region

Within Slobodzea (and the nearby city of Tiraspol), you will find facilities similar to those you would expect to come across here in Northern Ireland. There are schools, hospitals (pharmacies and GP surgeries), institutions for the disabled and so on.

Since Vision of Good Hope was established in 2001, we have been able to assist many of these institutions in a number of different ways.

One of the sectors which has benefitted most is local healthcare. We have been involved in the distribution of millions of pounds worth of equipment that was no longer needed where it was but was light years ahead of any of the equipment available in Transnistria.

This aspect of our work has allowed us to build relationships and contacts with people that we may not otherwise have gained access to, all making it easier for us to help the whole area and not just focusing on the children in our orphanage.