JustHope Update

Dear Friends of JustHope,

 

Over the past few years JustHope activities have been in transition. During 2025, several JustHope partners visited Chacraseca, Nicaragua to continue our collaboration.  We celebrate that we saw continuing success and growth of the microcredit women’s groups, ongoing commitment of the Stitching Hope women; and impressive progress of the scholarship students!  Clearly, JustHope continued to generate creative blessing in 2025.

 

The biggest change we now face is one we’ve been working toward for years - the transition from being a North American based non-profit to becoming a truly local Nicaraguan organization led by Nicaraguans!  This transition includes endings and beginnings, with reasons to celebrate and also to grieve. The Nicaraguan political system and international relations with the U.S. government have continued to deteriorate, making travel and organizational partnership more difficult. Although we have generous and faithful donors who continue to share financial resources, our mission and model must adapt to the changing context on the ground.  Therefore, we will be closing down the Tulsa-based operations by July 1, 2026 and transitioning operational and administrative leadership to the new independent organization established by the women who have been leading JustHope’s micro-credit program for the last 17 years.

 

These amazing women have been in the complex and rigorous process of legalizing their own indigenous organization for over two years.  And have continued to embody stubborn hope in the face of numerous road-blocks!  Now they are ready to take on the hard work of not only managing their highly successful microcredit program, but also supervising the scholarship programs they are inheriting, managing the 8 acers that served as the model farm, welcoming friends and groups from the US, and pursuing other ideas and projects toward the dream of a thriving Chacraseca!

        

As part of the legal transition from being US based to being Nicaraguan based, we will be transferring all donated project funds to this new Nicaraguan-led organization.  We ask you to please continue your financial support of JustHope through June of 2026 to make it

possible for us to complete the legal and ethical obligations in both countries to make this transition successful.  Beyond June, the new leaders in Chacraseca will treasure your ongoing support.  We will provide more information in the Spring about the ways you can continue your support.

 

Leslie Penrose wrote these words that appeared on the JustHope website for years:

 

“JustHope’s mission is to create long-term global partnerships between Nicaraguan

and U.S. communities in order to combat extreme poverty and increase global understanding.

By engaging one another in cultural exchanges, cooperative learning, mutual dialogue, and sharing resources, we work collaboratively to develop local leadership, empower self–determination, and embody our core values of collaboration, solidarity, mutuality, and sustainability.

 

    Indeed, across the past 19 years, JustHope has lived out its mission.  Together with all of you, we have coordinated long-term partnerships that have resulted in lifle-changing cultural encounters and will continue to develop in new ways going forward.  And hrough our programs in agriculture, health, education, and social enterprise we have made a significant contribution to the present and future well being of people who live in Chacraseca and La Flor. We celebrate the rich relationships and sacred encounters we have shared in both countries, and look forward to watching how the work we started grows and develops in the hands of new indigenous leaders.

 

    THANK YOU for your part in JustHope’s story!  We hope friends of JustHope will continue to form teams and travel to Nicaragua in future years.  If you have questions or want to discuss these changes, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our board members. (listed below).  We will update you again in the Spring as the transition progresses.  In the meantime, please continue to share generously as you are able. Your donations are still changing lives!

 

With Sincere Joy and Hope,

 

 

Kathy McCallie,                                                         Leslie Penrose                                    

Board President                                                          Founder of JustHope and Board Secretary

Kathy.mccallie@ptstulsa.edu                                     Revlesliepen@gmail.com

           

Michael Quintin                                                          Lynne Bradley

Board Treasurer                                                          Board Director

T150scouter@gmail.com                                           lbradley93168@gmail.com

20 Women of Hope

In Nicaragua, it is twice as hard for a woman to make it through school as it is a man, and far fewer women secure the resources necessary for paying for school. Many do not even finish high school. So, JustHope created 20 Women of Hope in 2012.

With 20 founding members — 10 women from Messiah Community Church (ELCA) Denver, and 10 women in the Boca de Cantaro sector of Chacraseca, Nicaragua — 20 Women of Hope — was formed to change the inequity in higher education.

The group chose a young woman named Glenin as their pilot student. Glenin has now graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering! Read about her journey.

This is how 20 Women of Hope works:

Ten women in the U.S. commit to providing $1,000 annually for a young Nicaraguan woman to attend university. This provides funds for tuition, supplies, transportation or housing, and tutoring as needed. JustHope staff commits to advising the student and her group of mentors.

Ten Nicaraguan women select a young woman for the group to support and mentor. They choose a woman they know and can, therefore, meet with on a regular basis. They also seek a recipient they trust will work hard and excel in her education. Her local mentors surround that woman with intentional and careful support for as long as the two groups are able to sustain their partnership (it takes 5 years to graduate from university in Nicaragua).

The two groups of women then share their journeys with each other by writing letters and cards, sending video clips and emails, and relaying stories and greetings through JustHope's staff.

If you are interested in learning more about 20 Women of Hope or would like information about forming a group, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

JustHope
2900 S. Harvard Ave., Tulsa OK 74114
office@justhope.org
918-932-3209

© JustHope, Inc.