FAQ
What does "hesed" mean?
Hesed love is often described as unconditional because it is not contingent on the recipient's worthiness or deservingness. Instead, it is freely given out of the goodness and generosity of the giver. It is a Hebrew term which, due to the richness of the language, has multiple meanings. It reflects the Creator's relationship with nature and an unwavering commitment to His people despite their failings and shortcomings.
One of the profound aspects of hesed is that it is undeserving. In other words, it is given without expecting anything in return. This underscores the selfless and sacrificial nature of hesed love. It's not motivated by what the recipient has done or can do in return, but rather by the inherent value of the recipient as a beloved creation.
Moreover, hesed love is universal in its scope. It extends beyond the boundaries of social status, ethnicity, or religion. It is extended to all humanity. This universal aspect emphasizes that hesed is a fundamental aspect of character, available to all who seek it.
Overall, hesed love embodies qualities of generosity, compassion, and faithfulness. It stands as a model for human relationships, calling individuals to love one another, regardless of our differences, challenges, backgrounds, beliefs and where we come from.
Why are HESED villages centered around the Vulnerable Children?
"Vulnerable children" is a broad term that refers to children who are at risk of harm or exploitation due to various factors such as poverty, violence, neglect, or lack of parental care. These children face challenges with regard to their well-being and development that most of us can’t even begin to contemplate. They require special support and protection to ensure their safety, proper development and future prospects.
Here are some statistics regarding the global issues of child trafficking, orphanhood, abandonment, and abuse:
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Child Trafficking: According to UNICEF, millions of children are trafficked each year for various purposes, including forced labor, sexual exploitation, and recruitment into armed groups. The exact number of trafficked children is difficult to determine due to the clandestine nature of trafficking networks, but estimates range from hundreds of thousands to millions annually.
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Orphaned and Abandoned Children: The exact number of orphaned and abandoned children worldwide is challenging to ascertain due to variations in definitions and reporting standards across countries. However, UNICEF estimates that there are tens of millions of orphaned children globally, with many living in institutions or foster care systems. Additionally, the number of abandoned children, particularly in countries with high levels of poverty and social instability, is significant.
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Child Abuse: Child abuse, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, remains a pervasive problem globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 in 4 adults report having been physically abused as children, and 1 in 5 women and 1 in 13 men report having been sexually abused as children. These figures underscore the widespread nature of child abuse and its profound impact on individuals and societies.
It's important to note that these statistics represent only a portion of the challenges faced by vulnerable children worldwide. Many factors contribute to the vulnerability of children, including armed conflict, displacement, poverty, discrimination, and inadequate access to education and healthcare.
Efforts to address the needs of vulnerable children require a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, protection, and support services. Governments, non-governmental organizations, communities, and individuals all play crucial roles in safeguarding the rights and well-being of children and ensuring that they have the opportunity to thrive in safe and nurturing environments. By coming together as a network of organizations spanning the globe, we are able to support, guide, assist and empower one another in significant ways. Standing together against the terrors of this world promotes countless benefits, such as shared learning, easier access to new and improved technologies, greater means of support and targeted solutions.
Why are HESED Sustainable Villages so focused on experiential learning?
Experiential learning equips and empowers children from an early age by providing them with opportunities to actively engage with the world around them, develop essential skills, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning. Here's how experiential learning prepares children better for the future:
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Hands-On Exploration: Experiential learning encourages children to explore and interact with their environment in meaningful ways. By engaging in hands-on activities and experiments, children develop a sense of curiosity, creativity, and discovery, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
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Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Through experiential learning, children learn how to think critically and solve problems independently. By encountering real-world challenges and finding solutions through trial and error, children develop resilience, adaptability, and resourcefulness—skills that are essential for success in the future.
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Communication and Collaboration: Experiential learning often involves group activities and projects that require children to communicate effectively and collaborate with their peers. By working together to achieve common goals, children learn important social skills such as teamwork, negotiation, and conflict resolution, which are essential for building positive relationships and thriving in diverse communities.
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Self-Discovery and Personal Growth: Experiential learning encourages children to explore their interests, passions, and talents. By engaging in activities that resonate with their unique strengths and preferences, children develop a strong sense of identity, self-confidence, and self-efficacy, empowering them to pursue their goals and dreams with conviction.
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Real-World Relevance: Experiential learning connects classroom learning to real-world contexts, making education more relevant and meaningful for children. By applying academic concepts to practical situations and problems, children develop a deeper understanding of the world around them and recognize the value of their learning in everyday life.
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Respect for Diversity and Inclusivity: Experiential learning promotes respect for diversity and inclusivity by exposing children to different perspectives, cultures, and experiences. By engaging with people from diverse backgrounds and learning to appreciate their unique contributions, children develop empathy, tolerance, and a sense of global citizenship, preparing them to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Overall, experiential learning equips and empowers children from an early age by fostering curiosity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, self-discovery, and respect for diversity. By providing children with opportunities to actively engage with their learning and the world around them, experiential learning prepares them to navigate the complexities of the future with confidence, resilience, and a lifelong passion for learning.
How can I get involved or find out more?
There are different levels of engagement, as there are different levels of partnership. Depending on your capacity, capabilities and particular needs, you can determine your level of involvement here: https://www.hesedinternational.com/community-1
Levels of engagement are determined by the teachings you want to participate in. Starting at Level 1 with an overall understanding of the 14-Mountain Blueprint, you can proceed to Level 2 which consists of 3 main teaching series on identity, positioning, purpose and citizenship within the 14-Mountain Blueprint as well as on a global level. It is essential for everyone involved to have a firm understanding of how we relate, operate, build and prosper. We grow as we learn and we learn as we grow. It’s a key principle in HESED International, as we have made it our mission to equip and empower the most vulnerable to take them from victim to victory and lost to leader. Progressing to Levels 3 to 5 will depend on the manner in which you are able to incorporate, implement and execute the blueprint within your area of influence and impact.
Can I partner with HESED if my country is not currently on the list of partners?
YES absolutely. We are doing everything in our power to grow our network, as that will enable us to support more qualified organizations and serve more vulnerable children. Our blueprint is designed to work in every country and therefore we know it will serve your particular circumstances as it will assist you in addressing your challenges in more productive and constructive ways.
If I already have an organization or village started, do I have to give up the name and ownership to partner with HESED International?
No! What you have already established is important and has a special purpose. HESED International does not take over what you have built, and "ownership" remains yours.
HESED International is a global family or community of leaders and organizations at various stages of building holistic sustainable solutions to actually break poverty for the most vulnerable children of the world. We do have a very good plan, called the "14 Mountain Blueprint", that works effectively to achieve this common goal. We simply walk alongside leaders to help apply this blueprint and build out their respective villages.