December 17, 2024 | Child Sponsorship

Top 5 stories of 2024

Families impacted by severe weather, new CEO shares her vision, sustainable farming brings income to families in Uganda, mothers groups strengthen communities, “Squid Game” winner Mai Whelan reflects on goodness in the world

By Tammy Marino

“When you join forces with others, [share] knowledge, take advice, tackle different problems, then you find you have done the right thing,” Immaculate, who alongside her husband cares for 12 children in their home, said in describing how she was able to grow as a farmer in Uganda. But her words truly apply to all the work Unbound does across the globe.

The year 2024 has been a time of change, growth, collaboration and support as Unbound continues to learn, teach and provide much-needed assistance thanks to faithful sponsors and donors.

The past 12 months included severe weather event challenges but also provided many opportunities to be hopeful as new leadership worked with teams in the U.S. and around the world to focus on strengthening communities, building relationships and expanding skillsets.

While multiple milestones and stories have been shared this year, here are just five that highlight the importance of initiative, collaboration, learning, support and growth.

1. Kenya floods displace families


Unbound’s Critical Needs Fund assisted sponsored individuals and families impacted by flooding described as the most catastrophic weather-related event Kenya has seen in years. Severe storms also affected families in the Philippines and Honduras.

Read "Kenya floods displace families."

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Homes were flooded and crops and roadways destroyed in the Juja Farm area (pictured above) of Unbound's Nairobi program. Unbound sent more than $100,000 from the Critical Needs Fund to assist families impacted by flooding in Kenya.

2. Answering the call to fight poverty


Ashley Hufft, Unbound’s new president and CEO and the first woman to lead the organization, shared the road that led her to Unbound along with her vision for Unbound’s future growth.

Read "Answering the call to fight poverty."

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In  Nairobi, Kenya, in 2023, Ashley Hufft visited the family of sponsored youth Wycliff to gain a deeper understanding of how the family’s grocery business has benefitted from Unbound Nairobi’s savings and loan program. Hufft is pictured with Wycliff’s father, Jared, mother, Muthoni, and a sibling.

3. Hope in a garden


Unbound’s program in Uganda works with families on sustainable farming strategies so they can diversify their food sources and generate income, establishing the kind of sustainable livelihoods that could one day lead them from poverty.

Read "Hope in a garden."

Namuddu, grandmother of a sponsored child in Uganda, proudly holds one of the mature vanilla vines she learned to nurture after receiving training from Unbound’s Kampala program on farming as a business.

Immaculate sits inside the kitchen she improved for her family using her profits from farming. The old kitchen had grass thatch for a roof and leaked when it rained. Her goal was to save to cover the roof in iron sheets, which she accomplished.

4. The power of mothers to drive change


Mothers groups in Colombia inspire women to find the belonging, value and empowerment that’s helping them build stronger families and communities.

Read "The power of mothers to drive change."

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Pictured are Deja Vu mothers group members, along with their children, in Cali, Colombia. In just a year since the group came together, they’ve already implemented several community development projects, further unifying their community.

5. Passing goodness on


Sponsor Mai Whelan, winner of the Netflix reality show “Squid Game: The Challenge,” talked about rising above her life challenges and inspiring others to do the same.

Read "Passing goodness on."

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Mai Whelan, winner of “Squid Game: The Challenge,” plays a game of rock, paper, scissors with her Unbound sponsored friend Denilson, 12, while visiting his family on an individual sponsor trip to Guatemala in 2024. In the Netflix reality competition show, the game of rock, paper, scissors was the final challenge Whelan completed to win.

A heartfelt thank you for making 2024 a year worthy of reflection. All of us at Unbound look forward to a productive and impactful 2025.