Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hand in Hand Ministries do?
Hand in Hand Ministries seeks to make a difference in the world by helping provide lifes essentials food, water, clothing, shelter, education and medical care -- to the poorest of the poor, so they may one day become self-sufficient and possibly go on to help others in their own communities.
We attempt to make our vision a reality through a number of our own projects in Belize, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Costa Rica and the United States. We also partner with local organizations. In general, we work in Central America, the Caribbean and Appalachia.
While we meet peoples immediate needs in some programs, we seek systemic change. We like to work at the grassroots level, asking community leaders what they need most, and then helping provide the tools and skills to lift themselves and their communities out of extreme poverty.
Our immediate goal is to empower them so they feel a sense of dignity, which overcomes despair and leads to hope, one of the most powerful weapons against poverty.
Hand in Hand Ministries offers people from the United States and Canada the opportunity to participate in an immersion trip to the countries where we meet real people and do real things. It is an important part of our programs. While our immediate tasks are important, many times the relationships our volunteers with the people they serve become paramount. We hope that our volunteers will return to their homes with a new understanding of themselves and the world and that they will join us in our efforts serve the poor. If they do not join us, we hope their new-found knowledge will lead them to a life that includes service to others as one of its main components.
How much of the money donated goes to programs to help the people?
HHM works very hard to keep administrative and fundraising costs at a minimum. Our annual audit is now pending, and figures for 2007 should be available soon. However, in the previous six years, we averaged spending 84,4 cans out of every dollar on our programs.
IMMERSION TRIPS
What is the cost of an Immersion Trip?
HHM has scheduled one-week trips to Nicaragua and Belize through 2008 and is beginning to schedule trips for 2009. There are also shorter trips to Appalachia for projects in Floyd County, one of the six poorest counties in the United States. We also work in four surrounding counties, each persistently poor.
The cost of an overseas trip is $1,500. However, that cost will soon increase due to the hike in ticket prices by most airlines. The cost of the trip to the Prestonsburg area is $40 a night. That amount covers accommodations and food. Money spent on charitable trips can be tax-deductible but check with your accountant to be sure.
If you would like to go on an immersion trip, or have any questions, call our office at 502-459-9930 or email maryhelen@hhministries.com.
APPALACHIA*
Trip Details
Appalachian trips are usually made to Auxier, KY< just outside of Prestonsburg, in late April, June and October and, if there is enough interest, August. Volunteers often meet at Hand in Hand Ministries and car pool for the 3 1/2 hour drive. Accommodations for most trips are a dorm-like setting in The Auxier Center. Work usually includes home repairs and sometimes delivery of food and clothing.
General Information
One meeting is held two weeks before the trip. At this meeting, you will receive all necessary information such as what to bring, trip particulars, etc. All skill levels are needed and wanted. No previous experience is necessary.
Cost
The Appalachia immersion trip generally costs $40 a night per person, plus $15 for a T-shirt. This cost includes lodging, breakfast and lunch. The trip must be paid for in full when you sign up. (Schools, churches and organizations need to provide additional
funds for building materials.)
OVERSEAS IMMERSION TRIPS*
Service, knowledge, culture and a sense of transformation will all be a part of your experience on an overseas Immersion Trip. During an Immersion Trip you will experience the culture from the view of the poorest of the poor in the areas of health, housing, and basic needs. You will work alongside HHM in service, but you will also be given the opportunity to participate in cultural events, listen to dynamic speakers and take time to visit local sites of interest. We do not proselytize.
BELIZE
On this trip, volunteers usually build a home for a family, work at our Outreach Center for children affected by the AIDS/HIV virus and visit school programs supported by HHM. These trips are usually made between February and May and again in November.
NICARAGUA
On a trip to Managua, Nicaragua, volunteers usually meet and learn about the children and families in our Pathway to Change scholarship program, visit and work with HHM-supported programs such as the Pan y Amor school, complete a work project at a local school or clinic that may include painting or light construction.
Speaking Spanish is a plus but not necessary. These trips are usually made from January through March and September.
GENERAL INFORMATION
If you have an open heart and mind, then you are invited to the experience.
You must have a passport for the overseas trips.
All skill levels are needed and wanted. No previous experience is necessary.
Dont worry about making a contribution everyone does!
There are two mandatory meetings before the overseas trips.
The first meeting is usually six weeks before the trip; the second is two weeks before the trip.
You will be given all necessary information at these meetings.
Cost
Each overseas trip costs $1,500 per person, depending on airfare. With the rising costs of airline tickets, the costs of trips may rise in the near future. (Schools, churches and organizations need to provide additional funds for building materials.)
Some financial aid is available for those show need.
This cost includes airfare, lodging, two meals a day, tips, and a T-shirt.
All costs, except the T-shirts are tax-deductible, as allowed by the IRS.
One day is usually spent enjoying what the country has to offer, and the expenses for that day are not tax-deductible (or included in the trip cost).
A $900 per person deposit (or the cost of the airline ticket, if more) is required approximately two months prior to the immersion trip. The date of the remaining balance will be determined by airline requirements. HHM will notify you of this date when it is determined. Please see Immersion Trip Guidelines
*Under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
How You Can Help
Needs
Multi-year pledges are instrumental in Hand In Hand Ministries being able to plan long-term programs for the needy. Our Legacy Society is the basis for this type of giving.
Again, pledges can be made by check or credit card.
Gifts in Kind
Donations
of appliances, furniture, school supplies, food, medical supplies and
other items may be delivered to the rear of our home office during
regular business hours. If you are from outside the Louisville area, or
have a large item such as an appliance to donate, please call our
office to make arrangements.
Gifts in Kind of clothing, appliances, toys, food and medicine are distributed to those most in need.
In both Belize (English) and Nicaragua (Spanish), we can always use
educational tools for pre-school, such as Lego blocks (large and small), Lincoln
logs, craft foam, tempra paint and 1/2" paint brushes, 1st grade lined
writing tablets (newsprint), Educational charts, 24-25 piece puzzles, wooden
puzzles and simple books about the world around them (non-fiction).
The following items are always needed in Belize, Nicaragua and Appalachia:
Non-perishable food & cleaning supplies
School supplies
Disposable diapers & baby food
Medical supplies and medicines
Computers: Windows 98 or newer with CD drive and ethernet port, Macintosh with OS X
Material for sewing, notions, quilting supplies & yarn
Home repair tools & supplies
Wish List for Nicaragua
2.5 KW generator (gas or diesel)
2 new computers (PC or Apple) with requisite software
HP Laserjet Printer/Copier/Fax/Scanner ( or equivalent)
20 plastic chairs for Pathway to Change program
4 Lifetime plastic tables ( 6 feet long)
good new and used clothing (especially shoes and sneakers for adults and children)
HP print cartridges (12A)
81/2 x 11 printer paper
3 ring binders for the loose-leaf paper already donated
Microsoft Word
Funds for office furniture for our new office location as of 15 May 2008.
Please contact our office
2225 Steier Lane
Louisville, KY 40218
502.459.9930
or email maryhelen@hhministries.com