Author: Ari Bermudez

One of our most powerful experiences at Hope is Everything was our visits to Nigeria and South Africa. We spent time with young girls in vulnerable communities and shared resources that opened the door for a healthier and more educated living. As we reflected on this experience, we wanted to share some facts about what life is like for women and young girls in Nigeria and South Africa, and why it is pertinent for organizations like ours to bring attention to these realities, as well as any other areas in the world where access to education and healthcare remains scarce. 

Research That Showcases Realities

According to statistics from UNESCO “in 2018 the literacy rate of females aged 15 and above in Nigeria was only 52.65%, which was about 18.6% below the literacy rate for male aged 15 and above. Even though primary education is officially free and compulsory, about 10.5 million of the country’s children aged 5-14 years are not in school, disproportionately affecting more girls than boys.” Although the government has implemented measures to make education more accessible for women and girls than before, there is still a gap that shows the fact that the problem is not only policy-based but systemic.

On the same note, an article by Sage Journals states that “a qualitative research carried out by Enyioko (2021), revealed factors such as religion, poor education among parents/guardians and poverty as the major challenges limiting female education in Nigeria.” This highlights the variety of factors that composes a system that frames women’s education as a “threat”, when research consistently shows the opposite. 

In a Girls No Brides report, it was found that “A 2017 World Bank/ICRW study estimated that ending child marriage could generate Nigeria an additional USD7.6 billion in earnings and productivity.” and currently, 30.3% of girls in Nigeria marry or enter a union before age 18 and 12.3% marry before age 15.

When We Choose To Look

These are statistics that remind us of the importance of recognizing the power we hold as a community and organization when bringing support to any space. It is not only awareness of global issues and dynamics but also a deep commitment to knowing that every heart touched is a contribution to a better world. One with more hope and love. 

Being immersed in the realities that people in vulnerable communities face can be uncomfortable, as it exposes us to different ways of living that privilege usually (and naturally) does not allow us to see, however, this discomfort is necessary to bring meaningful and proper support when the opportunity arises. 

For more information on how to contact us and be part of Hope Is Everything, please click here. 

Here is a sneak peak of what sharing time and knowledge looked like for our beautiful girls💞

References

Nwachukwu, C., & others. (2022). Underscoring the Relationship Between Education for Women and National Development in Nigeria. SAGE Open, 12(2). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440221102429 

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2020, September 7). Lives resumed by education: The second-chance education for women and girls in Nigeria. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/lives-resumed-education-second-chance-education-women-and-girls-nigeria 

As most of you might know (or not), Hope is Everything started thanks to Sarah Elizabeth: a beautiful girl who suffered from Cystic Fibrosis and left our earthly world in 1997. Debra McCarty and Kenneth McCarty, the founders of Hope is Everything and parents of Sarah decided to create this space in honor to her and the values that held the family together when navigating the challenges of the illness, and lastly, the loss. 

The Journey

Since the beginning, it was noticeable that the coming of Sarah to our world was intentional and magical, in beautiful and different ways. Debbie, her mom, knew long before she started having kids that she was going to have a disabled child. It was one of those specific and non-explainable messages that is delivered to a person, some of those things that are hard to understand but, indeed, exist.

Sarah was born with lots of complications, and months after, the family received the news that, unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. A lot of things happened in between them knowing what was occuring with Sarah—worries, health difficulties, wrong treatments. As they were being informed, one doctor emphasized: “Cystic fibrosis, or CF, as it is commonly called, is the number one genetic killer of children and young adults in America today. Among diseases, CF causes more childhood deaths than polio, diabetes, or rheumatic fever combined.” “CF is always terminal.”

Life after that was full of emotions, fights, challenges, doctors, tests, miracles, and especially, prayers. Even though doctors had told them Sarah’s life expectancy was 2 years, she lived 11 more beautiful years—years where lessons about faith and divine knowledge were part of a greater plan, not only for her but also for the family. She was full of talent and emotion, and she created environments where love prevailed fear. 

Sarah was a writer. She used to narrate her life through her journals. This is an excerpt of some of the last passages she wrote:

“This is the end of my story but my life will continue forever. Life is hard, but I need to enjoy it. God has given us this gift of life. Even though it’s hard, enjoy it while you can. Memories are one of the only things you can take to Heaven. And I’ve made some good ones. Bye.” — Sarah Elizabeth.

A Story of Loss That Turned Into Legacy

In this brief summary of a very luminous story, God is present in so many ways. In the alignments of every little detail that allowed Sarah to have the opportunity to experience life and express herself so clearly, honestly, rawly, and magically. In the way she cared and loved each of the people she encountered. In her return to life. In the way she dreamed about her future. In the way she would get excited and would celebrate those she loved. And, in the way she showed a pure form of love and resistance without fearing death. 

“Life is precious and to be enjoyed while we have opportunity. It is for us to experience, learn, and grow. But, returning home is okay.” wrote Debbie. Death, in the eyes of Sarah, was an experience worth living for. 

Living in fear can take away so much gratitude and presence, and Sarah helped see the opportunities that come along when worry and unease are not the main characters, even when death is on the other side. This is to say that the purpose of this community is to give people some light in the darkness, no matter how dark it seems to be. 

Resources

To find more information about Cystic Fibrosis, visit The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

To find online support groups for challenging times, visit GriefShare.  

To become a Hope Angel whether you want to help or find help, click here.

Hope as a Psychological and Social Resource

When we think about hope, often the conversation revolves around spiritual concepts, however, hope can be a psychological and social resource that increases well being when facing adversity, despair, uncertainty, and/or grief. As our name shows — hope is rooted and necessary in our foundation as a charity organization, rooted in our family trajectory and the challenges that came throughout the years. 

That is why when we talk about hope, we consider it a necessary tool for moving forward when life places bumps in the way. For Richard Lazarus (1999) “to hope is to believe that something positive, which does not presently apply to one’s life, could still materialize, and so we yearn for it.” ; which means that it is the tool that glues everything together when nothing is left, and if you choose to believe it, a better outcome can be possible. 

On the other hand, cognitively, “hope can be defined as goal-directed thinking. It is characterized by the ability to find routes that lead to desired goals and thoughts, with the motivation needed to reach those routes”  (Hartmann J. et al. 2018). This neurobiological process takes its shape when parts of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex (which takes care of the planning/goal-setting) and the anterior cingulate cortex (which refers to the motivation and monitoring progress) are activated.

Therefore, hope can be established as a tool that we can learn to implement when experiencing life, in fact, an experimental study found in the National Library of Medicine called “Hope as a behavior and cognitive process: A new clinical strategy about mental health’s prevention” concludes that hope facilitates behavioral and cognitive reinforcement for elderly people, and that they are more likely to take initiatives, pursue their goals, and remain steadfast on their choices, or, have the flexibility to change them if necessary. 

It seemed important to highlight the cognitive and psychological side of hope because it is a process we can find inside of us. The possibilities, the diversity of options and the course of action for a lighter path are perceived when facing a personal journey that requires and implements another view. 

“Hope is everything” were the last words that Sarah — our first hope angel in this project, said before leaving this world. She knew how, even though she had a short life, to live every moment to the fullest: writing poems, sharing love, spending time with her loved ones. She understood that the only way for a person to see what is on the other side, is by finding hope. 

Sarah exercised some of the ways hope is improved in our daily life: finding community — people who understand or can relate to struggles, clinging to small moments in life that serve as a reminder of the essence of what it means to live, practicing gratitude, setting goals, and practicing mindfulness or meditation by doing enjoyable things. These are tools available for whoever is reading this. 

More than an organization for charity, we are a community. We understand what it means to live through struggle and how life can feel too heavy to keep going. Whether you are searching for hope, or wanting to bring more of it into a world that is clearly begging for it, you can become a Hope Angel.

For more information on how to contact us and be part of Hope Is Everything, please click here. 

References

Lazarus, R. S. (1999). Hope: An Emotion and a Vital Coping Resource Against Despair. Social Research, 66(2), 653–678. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40971343

Hartmann JAS Júnior, Fernandes ALAF, Medeiros AGAP, Vasconcelos CAC, Pinheiro KSCB, Amorim LLL, Queiroga MFS, Cruz MRCD, Araújo RCT, Neto MLR. Hope as a behavior and cognitive process: A new clinical strategy about mental health’s prevention. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Sep;97(36):e12130. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000012130. PMID: 30200101; PMCID: PMC6133436.

Because love knows no borders

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu

In July 2025, Hope is Everything took a bold and beautiful step—our mission reached Nigeria.

With hearts full of purpose and bags filled with kindness, our team spent time with young girls in underserved communities, sharing more than just hygiene kits—we shared joy, self-worth, and sisterhood.

We introduced our “Love Yourself” kits, each one carefully prepared with essentials and wrapped in a message of hope. The smiles we received in return were the best confirmation that small acts of love can ripple across the world.

💜 Why Nigeria?

We believe every girl and woman—no matter her country, language, or circumstance—deserves dignity, confidence, and the tools to care for herself. Nigeria is just the beginning of a broader vision: to go where the need is and bring light.

💜 How You Can Help

We’re just getting started. You can join this global movement by:

• Donating to help fund future kits and outreach
• Sharing this post with friends and family
• Volunteering your time or skills to support the cause

💜 Closing Thoughts

We are aware of how bringing hope, especially to women and girls, is a seed to a better society and world community. This is what happens when hope becomes action. Nigeria reminded us that love knows no borders. And with your help, we’ll continue planting seeds of hope everywhere we go — Empowering Girls Through Love and Support.

At Hope Is Everything, one of our core missions is to find meaningful ways to support individuals and families burdened by debt. Even a tiny amount of help can create a ripple effect of positive change in people. Our debt relief program is designed to help individuals eliminate the burden of high-interest debt and pave the way for a more stable financial future. 

How We Help

• Debt Relief Loans: We offer short-term loans to pay off high-interest credit card debt. 
• Personalized Financial Plans: Our team works with individuals to develop manageable repayment plans. 
• Empowerment Through Trust: Our goal is to provide financial assistance, hope, and encouragement to those trapped by debt. Everyone deserves a second chance, and we are dedicated to helping families regain their economic footing. Join us in spreading hope, creating a debt-free future, and uplifting those facing financial challenges. Recently, we received a touching message from someone we supported, which perfectly encapsulates the impact of our work: 

“To Hope Is Everything, 

I do appreciate your support and trust. I’ll demonstrate my word by making the payments on time and paying you as fast as I can is the goal. Your family is very generous to help those in need and starting this charity—not many people in this lifetime are that kind to trust and help others. May your family forever be blessed.”

His heartfelt note powerfully reminds us of why we do what we do. By extending a helping hand, we alleviate financial burdens, restore hope, and empower individuals to reclaim control over their futures. Together, we can make a lasting difference, one life at a time. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.  

If you or someone you know is struggling with high-interest debt, Hope Is Everything is here to help. Submit the Be A Hope Angel form to learn more about our debt relief program. Together, we can transform financial challenges into opportunities for growth and stability. 

Grief is one of the most profound emotions we experience, and navigating it can often feel overwhelming. At Hope is Everything, we strive to provide comfort to families during their darkest times through thoughtful gestures that convey love and compassion.

One such gesture is our matching heart necklaces, specially designed to connect families even in moments of separation. For mothers who lose their babies, one necklace is placed with the child, while the mother keeps the matching piece close to her heart. In cases where daughters lose their mothers too soon, the same act of love is performed: one necklace is placed with the mother, and the daughter wears the other in remembrance.

These necklaces are more than just jewelry; they are powerful symbols of connection, love, and hope. Families have shared how these keepsakes have provided them with a sense of peace and a tangible way to honor their loved ones.

How You Can Help

Creating and gifting these necklaces to families in need is one of our most meaningful initiatives, but we can’t do it without your support. Your donation enables us to:

• Provide matching necklaces free of charge to grieving families.
• Expand this initiative to reach more families in need.
• Support our mission to bring hope and healing to those navigating the pain of loss.

Even a small contribution can help create a set of necklaces that will provide comfort to a grieving mother or daughter.

Donate Today

With your help, we can continue offering this heartfelt gesture to more families in need. Join us in making a difference:

• Donate Online:   https://pay.hope-is-everything.org
• Spread the Word: Share this blog post with friends and family who might want to support our mission.

Together, we can help families hold on to love, even in their hardest moments.

Every necklace we give is a reminder that love endures, hope persists, and no heart is ever truly alone.

Click here to donate now and make a difference: https://pay.hope-is-everything.org

At Hope is Everything, we believe that hope is more than just a word—it’s a driving force that transforms lives, strengthens communities, and builds a brighter future for everyone. We strive to create opportunities for connection, service, and meaningful impact through our work.

Our mission

Our mission is simple but profound: to empower individuals and communities through compassion and service. Whether it’s supporting firefighters, teachers, or families and people in need, we aim to be a beacon of hope for those who need it most.

What We’ve Accomplished So Far

Thanks to your support, we’ve taken significant strides in achieving our goals. Here are some highlights:

• Launched Our Website: Our intentional designed website serves as a hub for our initiatives, making it easier for supporters to learn about our mission and get involved.
• Community Engagement: By connecting with individuals and partnering with organizations such as the Peery Family Foundation and Texas Roadhouse, we’ve built a network of compassionate supporters and hope angels ready to make a difference.
• Brand Identity: We’ve finalized our logo and color palette, reflecting the heart of our organization in every aspect of our branding.

How You Can Help

We believe that everyone has something unique and special to give. Here’s how you can join us:

• Donate: Your contributions directly support our programs and initiatives and everything is welcomed. Some of the usual items our community donates are clothes, toys, books, school supplies, baby items, household essentials, personal care products, and food.
• Volunteer: Give your time to help us serve the community by contacting us below.
• Spread the Word: Share our mission on social media and help us reach more people.

A Look Ahead

As we continue to grow, we’re excited to roll out new programs and initiatives to expand our impact. We’re also working hard to refine our website, ensuring it’s a powerful and useful educational and inspirational tool.

Stay Connected

We’d love to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram and watch our website for updates. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.

Thank you for believing in our mission and being part of the Hope is Everything family.