Lighthouse of Hope MK exists to provide care for orphans living in North Macedonia. This project seeks to establish our first day center and family-style group home - The JOY Home - with clean drinking water, a working septic system, water heater, an on-site kennel for the two therapy dogs, and safety/therapy equipment for the children. With your help, The JOY Home Day Center will be ready to open in August 2020, and will serve 5 special needs orphans, ages 5-12.
In 2017, The Macedonian government began the process of deinstitutionalization for all orphans under three. To come alongside them in this process, we purchased a house in 2018, as a shell - missing floors, walls, kitchen, bathrooms, etc. Now, thanks to generous donors & volunteers, The JOY Home Day Center is nearly finished. The final step is equipping it with safety and therapy supplies, water heater, well pump, filter, & septic system - all vital parts of a happy and healthy home for kids.
When funded, this project will provide a working septic system, a functioning and clean water system, hot water, on-site kennel for the two therapy dogs, car seats, strollers, and safety equipment for the children who will be in The JOY Home. With these huge needs taken care of, The JOY Home Day Center will be ready to open in August! When we open the doors, the Day Center will provide specialized care and therapies, for five special needs children, between the ages of 5 and 12 years old.
The JOY Home, as well as future group homes that Lighthouse of Hope MK opens, will provide trauma-informed training to all caregivers. The long-term impact for children attending the Day Center and/or living in the home won't only be the safety and security that comes from their basic needs being met. It will also improve their relational skills and promote healthy attachment, as they are loved, seen, and heard, which carries over into helping them become more well-rounded and capable adults.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
