Our Vision

The world today is full of injustice and suffering. Many people on our tiny planet do not have access to clean water, health care, education or even food.  Millions live on less than $1 a day. Thousands of children are taken from their families and are used on the front lines to fight in wars.

What can we do? 

How can we respond? 

Questions such as these are what helped give birth to Refuge and Hope International. Refuge and Hope International began as a dream near the turn of the new Millennium 2000. At the time we were working in Africa with a group of refugees and had a deep sense of God’s love and passion for these and other displaced people in the world.  We were compelled by a verse in the Bible, “Heal them and preach the Kingdom of God (Luke 10:9)” to do something to address the suffering of people displaced by conflict, wars, or disasters. It was evident to us that in the same way that Jesus ministered to people meeting both physical and spiritual needs, we were to do the same.

In 2001 we moved to Southern Sudan to work with former child soldiers and other young people affected by war– an experience that radically changed our lives. Two years later, as the time came for us to leave Sudan, we assisted in getting 9 of these young men out of Southern Sudan and into Kenya where they could attend school and live in a safe environment. After returning to the USA in 2003 and speaking in many churches and civic organizations about the situation in Sudan and the 9 guys we were supporting in Kenya, many people opened their hearts and their wallets, and began to give money. We were (and still are) amazed at this outpouring of generosity. In 2004, Refuge and Hope was registered as a non-profit organization, primarily as a way to channel funds to these young men with accountability.

Today Refuge and Hope International continues to serve those who have been affected by conflict and war on the continent of Africa. Many times these people have lost everything-- their homes, their families, and the opportunity for education or employment. Refuge and Hope’s desire is that people who have been wounded by the traumas of wars and conflicts will experience healing and transformation in their lives, both physically and spiritually.

Current Projects

• The Center of Hope (Kampala) 
• Multi-purpose community resource center (Greek)
• Goma Education project — DRC
• Sudanese students
• Kaberamaido Arrow Boys, Widows, Youth

Who We Are

Jade Acker
Co-director of Refuge and Hope International

Shelah Acker
Co-director of Refuge and Hope International

Linda Carpenter

Finance Manager

Hamony Haryet  Okema
Financial Secretary; Kabermaido Project Coordinator

 Current Teachers/Volunteers:

Alex, Chip, Faith, Fatima, Gilbert, Justine, Kamal, Katie, Kevin, Lydia, Saudi, Tom, Valia, Wilson