by Peter Gaskell

From passionate beginnings to an empowering future, such has been the journey that Hike for Hope has taken. When the hearts of youth are stirred to help eliminate poverty, the potential is endless. Hike for Hope was initiated by a small group of youth in country Victoria (Kangaroo Flat Baptist Church) who have demonstrated that a humble heart and a passion to help the world’s poor cannot be contained. We are seeing youth transformed and united as they slip on their hiking boots and battle the elements together in what can only be described as a generation rising up to stamp out poverty.

From Sydney to the Northern Territory and the groundbreaking state wide Tasmanian Hike for Hope, youth groups are taking up the challenge to beat poverty, step by step. Recently three Baptist churches in Ballarat Victoria spurred on by reports of other hikes undertook their own, raising over $1000 towards a Baptist World Aid supported HIV/AIDS centre in Thailand. The group (26 all up) spent two days in June 2005 hiking a total of 40kms from Linton to Ballarat. One of the students Daniel (age 16) recounts the journey “Everyone had fun and got to know each other better. Some struggled to make the distance but hung in there. A few of the boys walked part of the trip with their beanies over their eyes, relying on a trusted friend to guide them!” For both students and leaders it was a valuable time to get to know each other while contributing to a valuable cause, “It was great that the youth were able to know they were changing lives in Thailand. It was a very significant achievement for us.”

It’s encouraging to see new groups raising money and Hiking for the first time, and even more encouraging when they go for round two. Kangaroo Flat, however, are scouting out new ground and seeking to embark on their record breaking third Hike for Hope in the near future!

Hike for Hope is making a huge difference to the lives of the world’s poorest people. Projects that have been supported include the Chiang Rai Christian service centre HIV/AIDS awareness project in Thailand. This project impacts local school students to teach them about ‘making the right choices’ in life, focusing on the causes and effects of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse and helps local families living with HIV/AIDS to set up Income Generation Projects. Also supported is the Allahabad Clean Water Project in northern India which provides clean water, toilets, and health and hygiene information to rural villages.

Hike for Hope is providing an empowering future for many without hope. Organising your own Hike is easy - decide on a route, get together with a group of friends, family or classmates, and get as many sponsors as possible! We can provide you with an organisers kit, including a list of projects available for support.

The question is will you join with us to help stamp out poverty? Will you Hike for Hope?

For more information or to get an organisers kit visit www.hikeforhope.org.au, or call 1300 789 991.

Hike for Hope is an initiative of Baptist World Aid Australia in support of overseas community development projects.