Recently in an article about BYU Alumni, I was asked what is the greatest accomplishment of Courage to Hope.
This question made me stop and really think.
One year ago this month I was walking home thinking about changing the world. I thought of how many problems there are and didn’t know what to do. I thought back into my life and how much I love the Ukrainian people. I called Amnesty International and asked the country director of Ukraine if there was a need for an organization to help battered women’s shelters. She was thrilled at the idea.
A board of directors was formed, fundraisers held, support solicited, a trip planned (in November), shelters partnered with and eyes opened. But now, a year later, what is our greatest accomplishment?
In the words of Autumn Buys, the author of the BYU article, “the organization’s greatest strength [is] its philosophy, rather than its philanthropy.” Courage to Hope has not and will never seek to just do good alone; but standing behind existing organizations, we can focus on our philosophy of collaboration and localization—basically, we ask the locals “what can we do?” From there, we can help them develop greater goals that individually would be near impossible.
So one year later, I am proud to have an organization that remains true to her roots of unity and as such will grow strong.
-Zack Oates
Founder & President
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