Why Our School Started
In 2023 an eight-year-old boy named Wilson, wrote a plea for help. Wilson, one of five children in a family from Jjungo Village, rose early one Sunday morning, hunted up a torn piece of paper, a pen, and mustered the courage to approach the visitors to his village, Doug and Amanda Hostetler.
The note to introduce himself, his yearning for an education, explained that his parents were without work to provide for school fees, and offered a promise to get the “best results.” It was folded and pressed into Amanda’s palm during the church service later that morning. A message like that, given to a career teacher, from a child desirous of the opportunity to learn, required a response.
Wilson’s self-advocacy gave birth to a school: Jjungo Haven Christian School. Haven-Jjungo provides scholarships for children like Wilson. Today there are over 200 students, from Preschool to High School who have access to education through Haven's scholarship program. A child who is given the opportunity to go to school not only receives an education, but the guarantee of nutritious meals, and reduces their vulnerability to harm.
Wilson’s letter also revealed a core need that could not be ignored: economic development. Haven-Jjungo has also begun a development initiative that includes a model farm and a trade- training program for the mothers in the community. Women who were previously unable to feed their children are now receiving the opportunity to work and provide for their households.
Scholarships
Haven-Jjunco provides over 200 children with education, safety, and nutritious meals, helping them grow mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally—and many more are waiting for the chance. For just $100 a month, you can unlock education for four children and help them move from merely surviving to truly thriving.
Development
Development programs equip mothers in Jjungo with skills and resources to break cycles of poverty through trade training and sustainable farming. From raising piglets to learning tailoring, hairdressing, and more, these opportunities empower families to provide for their children and build a future of independence and transformation.