This summer has been a powerful season of growth and momentum for Haven of Hope International’s Orphan Care Training Institute. Across the world, caregivers and directors are leaning into training, strengthening their skills, and raising the standard of care for vulnerable children.
Two great milestones are taking place at Refugio de Vida in Pucallpa, Peru. This summer and fall mark the completion of the one-year Trauma Care Certification training led by Angela Bryan, MS, CMHC. This advanced training is designed to build on the weekly basic training courses by providing a deeper understanding of trauma-informed care and greater accountability for putting it into practice every day.
Over the past year, the team has participated in monthly training sessions, completed homework assignments, carried out special projects, and will finish by presenting a thesis—all designed to help them move the training from information to daily practice and equip these caregivers to train others.
Another great milestone for Refugio de Vida is the launch of HOHI’s Future of Hope Transition Program. Pastora Lily has graduated one young lady, with half a dozen teenagers quickly following. We were thrilled when a sponsor answered her request for this program by sending Cynthia Aldana from Refugio de Esperanza in Bolivia to help them get started this past April. Cynthia is also one of HOHI’s Trauma-Certified Caregivers. She shares a global vision and serves Refugio de Esperanza well in her role as Education and Transition Program Director.
This is the heart of OCTI. We are not simply providing lessons to be heard. We are helping homes build systems of care that can be lived out every day and implement programs that meet the complex needs of their children. We do more than rescue—we want to empower young people to make their dreams come true.
On the global front, OCTI’s reach continues to expand. The popularity of the SKOOL app has been growing, and the platform hosts more than 170 caregivers and directors from over 31 countries. It’s an incredible community of heroes on the frontlines of orphan care. Through live training, coaching, and on-demand resources, OCTI has impacted more than 15,000 children so far this year.
This spring, weekly mini-courses included 5-Steps to Behavioral Change, a practical training designed to help caregivers identify behavior, respond appropriately, teach new skills, provide practice, and celebrate progress. At the beginning of July, the group also completed The Art of Setting Limits, a course focused on helping caregivers establish healthy boundaries with wisdom, consistency, and care.
And the momentum continues.
In late August Marco Aldana, HOHI’s Latin America Training Director will facilitate training for The Future of Hope Transition Program for over 100 homes/agencies across continents connected through OCTI. This training will help homes prepare young men and women for life beyond the orphanage through planning, life skills, education, mentoring, and ongoing support. For young adults aging out of care, a strong transition plan can make the difference between vulnerability and opportunity.
Amazing things are happening through OCTI. Every course, every coaching call, every homework assignment, and every director training is part of a larger mission: to strengthen homes, equip caregivers, and help children experience the healing love of God through excellent care.
The work is growing. The impact is multiplying. And the future of orphan care training is full of hope.
We offer training to caregivers overseas at no cost. It’s our way of reaching more children with valuable support. Caregivers in the field are often isolated, and we want them to know that we see them, value their work, and are committed to giving them practical tools to bring change.
Please consider helping us underwrite the cost. Together, we can change their world.