Stories That Stay With Us From FH Staff

What does real community transformation look like—beyond buildings and programs? In this episode, we go behind the scenes with three passionate FH Canada team members who share their personal stories from the frontlines of community development. From vibrant savings groups in Guatemala to graduation celebrations in Rwanda, their reflections offer a rare glimpse into the power of dignity, resilience, and hope.Haley, FH Canada’s Supporter Engagement Coordinator, highlights the joy of connecting with donors and  celebrates the mutual encouragement found in community. Isaias, a new Program Officer, recounts the impact of a women's savings group called The Little Bees, where financial literacy and shared ownership are unlocking entrepreneurial dreams. And Kaitlin, also a Program Officer, shares how witnessing a community's graduation ceremony in Rwanda revealed not just material progress, but the transformation of hearts, minds, and futures.These stories remind us that when communities lead and when support systems are rooted in respect, real, lasting impact takes root. If you're curious about the human side of development work, this conversation will leave you inspired.

How many news articles have left you curious about the personal stories behind the headlines? In our hyper-connected world we have the tendency to rapidly move on from one news story to the next. In this episode, award-winning journalist Molly Thomas shares her journey of covering stories often abandoned and neglected by mainstream media. From her work on the Afghan women denied education to migrant workers in Canada, Molly discusses the importance of returning to stories long after the headlines move on. She reveals how her life experiences, faith, and conviction drive her to shine light on marginalized communities worldwide. When misinformation abounds, Molly offers insights into the challenges facing modern journalism and suggestions as to how viewers can become more informed and engaged global citizens. This thought-provoking discussion explores the responsibility of journalists and consumers alike to remember those whose stories are too quickly forgotten.

Did you know poverty is much more than just an empty wallet? Relational poverty is often an invisible wound that disconnects us from God, ourselves and triggers many mental health challenges. In this episode Nicola Bartel, Executive Director of Mercy Canada, shares her over 25 year long journey of working with vulnerable women and discusses how Mercy Canada provides free mental health services to those in need of relational healing.This conversation delves into the root causes behind issues like anxiety, eating disorders, and self-harm while offering hope through stories of transformation. Learn about Mercy Canada's innovative programs like "Emotions in You," "Boundaries," and "Keys to Freedom" that are helping people break cycles of trauma and build healthier relationships through counseling, residential programs, workshops and more. Whether you're wrestling with your own invisible struggles, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand poverty's complex dimensions, this conversation offers a road map to wholeness that begins with connection.

You may have heard the buzz that bees play a crucial role when it comes to biodiversity in our interconnected world, but did you know that these tiny insects are having a life-changing impact on farmers in Bwira, Rwanda? In celebration of International Bee Day, Leon Mugisha, Asset Creation Specialist at FH Rwanda, shares how beekeeping impacts farmers' livelihoods by providing economic opportunities that fund important needs like education and healthcare for families. Discover the interconnected systems approach that's helping vulnerable communities thrive as they turn honey and beeswax into sustainable livelihoods.

For many of us, a cup of coffee is part of a regular morning ritual. But how often do we think about the person or people behind that cup of coffee? For countless smallholder farmers around the world, coffee is their livelihood. Yet, with limited land, fluctuating market prices, and changing climates, these farmers often still live below the poverty line. In this episode Mike Janz shares about how fair trade coffee makes its long journey from seed to our cups, exploring the realities that farmers face, and how the Better Coffee, Better Lives project in Guatemala is equipping farming with the knowledge and resources to improve their yields, access fair markets, and see hope-filled futures.Tune in to learn how a better cup of coffee starts with empowering those who grow it—and how you can be part of that change!

Would you be surprised to learn that fair trade involves much more than simply fair wages? That, at its core, it’s actually about relationships that foster dignity, sustainability, and economic empowerment? Heidi Harms, Manager at Ten Thousand Villages, Abbotsford unpacks what fair trade really means, how it works, and who stands to benefit from it. Explore the power that your dollar has to inspire hope and transform lives, and how small choices—like the coffee you drink—can have lasting and life-changing impact!

What‘s your response to the term “harm reduction”? Do you realize that you participate in harm reduction daily? Things like, strapping on a seatbelt, using railings on staircases, or scrubbing your hands with hot, soapy water all attempt to minimize risk in some way. Yet, perhaps your reaction to harm reduction feels a little different when it comes to drugs. So, why?Dr. Meera Grover challenges us to take a deep look at our beliefs surrounding substance use and harm reduction. Are they rooted in a stigma or in cultural views of those who struggle with substance use and misuse? Are they rooted in a love for God’s people that reflects His heart?  Dr. Grover is a physician and a Christian with a background in theology. She began her career in international development and later transitioned to working on the front lines of the opioid crisis in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and Calgary. With the highest level of addiction medicine training in Canada, Dr. Grover has grappled with the complex ethical questions surrounding substance use, harm reduction, and the true meaning of hope.Tune in for part 2 of this important conversation as we talk about addiction, faith, and the power of being present.

What if the opposite of addiction isn’t freedom or sobriety, but connection?Drug addiction is devastating, affecting communities worldwide. But is addiction the problem to be solved, or is there something deeper at play?Dr. Meera Grover, is a Christian and a physician. She started her work in international development and has most recently spent years working on the front lines of the opioid crisis in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and Calgary. With the highest level of addiction medicine training in Canada—and a background in theology—she’s wrestled with the complex ethical questions surrounding substance use, harm reduction, and what it means to offer true hope.In this episode, Dr. Grover shares how her beliefs have been shaped by working in supervised consumption sites and building relationships with those experiencing poverty and addiction. Through these experiences, she’s come to see addiction not as the problem itself, but as a symptom of something deeper: poverty, disconnection, and a longing for belonging.Tune in for part 1 of this eye-opening conversation as we explore addiction, personal faith, and the sacredness found in unexpected places.

with guest Patty-Leigh Thielmann from Food for the Hungry CanadaTurn on your faucet at home. Aren’t you astounded by how water is instantly at your fingertips? How that happens every time you go to the sink? How it’s fresh and clean? How that water doesn’t run dry or make your family sick? It’s actually incredible! Yet, for too many families around the world, access to safe water is still not a reality. Yet, in FH partner communities, the tide is turning!Patty-Leigh Thielmann, VP of International Programs at Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada, highlights how access to clean water can transform lives in profound (and sometimes unexpected!) ways. Clean water is not only essential for health but also foundational for offering hope to families trapped in poverty. While it may seem obvious that clean water sparks a ripple effect of positive change, the details might surprise you. Discover how safe water is creating lasting impact and bringing waves of hope to generations.For more, check out FH Canada's wholistic work - water included! - at fhcanada.org.

with guest Lindsay Machona, Executive Director at Expand HopeHere, they ached to help in a meaningful way. There, they ached for better schools. So, when two communities—at first foreign to each other—came together with a common goal, who stood to benefit the most? Lindsey Machona, the Executive Director of Expand Hope, shares how mutual transformation and lasting change is possible and happening today through the partnership between a community of Canadians at Expand Hope and a community in rural Guatemala. Learn how the lives of Guatemalans and Canadians alike are changing for the better by walking together and focusing on quality education.Recommended Resources:Expand Hope - websiteFH's work in Guatemala - webpageEpisode hosted by Shelaine.