Early in 2013 Hope for the Island started feeding severely malnourished children one healthy meal per day. They have always fed children healthy meals on their weekly outreaches because many kids are under nourished. However, for the severely malnourished, they needed to step it up and fast considering many children die from nutrition related issues with no intervention.
The need for this program became clear during follow up visits they had with the pregnant women. When visiting these villages, they started hearing stories of kids whose needs were neglected and faced suffering. As they sought out more information, they were led to homes where they encountered precious children in such horrific conditions.
There was no time to be frustrated, angry or cast blame, rather pray how the Lord would have them help these children live. Because of Storm Team Foundation providing one substantial meal a day, many children have graduated from their program and are now restored to good health!
"We are so thankful for Storm Team's long time support extended to Hope for the Island. Storm Team has been a critical part of enabling our team to minister to the growing needs on our island. This happens through providing way for USD donations to be received. Storm Team has shown extra commitment and heart for the severely malnourished kids we serve. Storm Team provides the means to give a healthy meal a day to each child in our health restoration program!" - Derek Van Ryckeghem, Founder
Established 2001
Hope for the Island formed from what was intended to be a short term mission trip to the Philippines in 1997. Derek Van Ryckeghem (Hope for the Island Founder) was on the first Youth with a Mission (YWAM) team that entered the Island of Siargao proclaiming the gospel. Derek stayed on well after the rest of the team departed to go home. It was during that time of follow up and immersion in the culture that God started stirring his heart with a long term vision and love for the Philippines.
Surfers Not Street Children is an organization focused on empowering homeless street children and children living in extremely tough areas who are at risk of street-connectedness.
Its model fuses surfing with mentorship and care, through a team of social workers, lifeguards, and surf coaches.
The goal is to ensure that the children are able to enter adulthood with the ability to be self supportive and independent.
"Storm Team Foundation and Chad Simkins have been incredibly supportive of our work for a long period of time. Their long term commitment has really enables us to deliver a comprehensive program to the children we serve and also to focus on developing a new, really targeted program for girls at risk called GIRL SURF TOO. We are super grateful for this partnership and for sticking with us during the Covid crisis which has been tough for us as it has for everyone. Thank you so much."
-Tom Hewitt MBE, Founder
Established 1998
Tom Hewitt MBE, is founder and CEO of Surfers Not Street Children. He has worked in the field with street children in Africa for over 28 years. In 1998 he founded the Durban Street Team which went on to be renamed Surfers Not Street Children in 2012. Tom was awarded and MBE by HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 for his work with street children in Africa.