Who we are
Our humanitarian mission
Mission, vision and values of Vision Hope International e.V.
Vision Hope International e.V. is an independent German-based non-for-profit humanitarian organization engaged in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA region).
We are dedicated to the advancement of human flourishing by empowering individuals in the MENA region. Our humanitarian mission is to uplift communities, embracing local cultures that may be different from our own. We believe in the dignity of all people and strive to show others the justice and compassion that they want shown to themselves, in a manner consistent with their own cultures and needs. This core belief drives every aspect of our humanitarian mission.
The ethical maxim, “Do unto others as you would have them do to unto you,” provides a guiding principle for all of Vision Hope’s work as a humanitarian organization. We listen to individuals in the communities we work with and help them become part of the solution. This forms the foundation of our humanitarian mission.
Our Vision
Empowered people transform the world.
Many people — throughout the MENA region and all across the world — do not feel empowered to improve their own lives and the communities in which they live. Wars and systemic deprivation lead to the belief, especially among the poorest and most vulnerable, that their lives are largely outside of their control.
As a humanitarian organization, Vision Hope believes that by empowering people, through implementing bottom-up humanitarian projects that begin with vulnerable individuals and helping beneficiaries see themselves as valuable human beings with agency. This approach aligns perfectly with our humanitarian mission to enable individuals to recognize and act out their potential as agents of change and transformation.
Our Mission
We work with local communities to create sustainable solutions that advance human flourishing in the world’s most difficult regions.
Some of the countries that Vision Hope works in, are relatively stable. Some face challenges such as refugee integration, unemployment, and youth disenfranchisement. Some have prolonged histories of armed conflict, systemic oppression, and poverty. Throughout the MENA region, many of the people have given up hope that anything can become good again. Our humanitarian mission is to restore this hope.
As a humanitarian organization, Vision Hope implements projects that have the goal of restoring relationships and people’s dignity at a local, grassroots level while advocating for meaningful policy changes that can address the root causes of poverty. These efforts are essential to promoting a peace in which not only is conflict no longer present but in which people are able to live in a way that they feel is fulfilling and rewarding.
We are passionate about people.
Providing people with motivation and a new perspective for the future underpins our humanitarian mission. We empower vulnerable members of society, motivate young people to pursue their dreams, strengthen women in reaching equality, and help people make positive changes in their communities. Our focus is on conflict-ridden areas in the MENA Region, as the need there is so great.
We treat all people the same regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender or social status. Through our intercultural competence and experience as a humanitarian organization, we demonstrate respect and understanding for an individual’s situation, ensuring that our assistance is effective. At the same time, we engage in inspiring more and more people to stand against injustice and campaign for all those who cannot help themselves.
While we serve people in need, we receive great help from people who aspire to change the world for the better. Driven by their dedication, we continuously strive for new projects, new goals and new hope. That is our highest motivation, our commitment and our dedication as a humanitarian organization.
Our Values
Hope
Genuine help is more than mere material assistance. We believe that long-term, sustainable development is possible only in an environment of hope, which is conducive to positive human relationships that are based on respect, acceptance and reconciliation.
Trust
Authenticity and transparency inspire the way we work. By open communication, we build the foundation for empathy and mutual trust that create the optimal condition to resolve upcoming problems and to find new solutions together.
Dignity
We regard every human being as unique with his or her own inviolable dignity. That is why we strive toward a world in which all people have an equal opportunity to attain physical, psychological, and social well-being.
Passion
Where human beings suffer and despair, we cannot remain indifferent. We fiercely fight misery with our dedication and passion, celebrating every change for the better.
Courage
Despite the adversities and uncertainties, we operate in the world’s most fragile states, and we encourage others to take a stand against injustice and to support those who cannot help themselves.
Join us in bringing hope to the people.
The principles laid out in this document are in congruence with international standards, as laid out by the International Committee of the Red Cross Code of Conduct and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Adhering to them ensures that projects benefit those in the communities within which they are implemented, as well as maintain the integrity of both the humanitarian organization and its individual members.
All who are able to work within the provisions of the identity, mission, vision, and values — regardless of creed, socioeconomic background, gender, race, or other identifiers — are welcome to become involved in the work of Vision Hope. The individual insights, skills, and perspectives are welcomed for the purpose of bringing positive change to vulnerable populations in the MENA region, in alignment with our humanitarian mission.
Vision Hope International – providing relief since 2002.
Vision Hope International was founded in 2002 on the initiative of Matthias Leibbrand, who had previously successfully initiated and supervised several projects in Yemen, and committed his circle of friends to join on the founding of the humanitarian organization. VHI is registered as an association at the City Courts of Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany (VR 270382) and is recognized by the Tax Authorities in Emmendingen, Germany as a non-profit and charitable organization (Tax ID 05015/05894).
Since the beginning, our goal has been to provide people in developing countries with a hopeful vision for a life of dignity. Through numerous projects in the MENA region and in Germany, VHI has established its presence in the humanitarian aid sector and receives support from private donations as well as institutional funds. Our tasks and more detailed goals are set out in our statutes.
Transparency is important to us
To ensure transparency, our financial statements are audited yearly since 2008 by an external auditor. The auditor statements are published with our annual reports.
We have also signed the voluntary commitment Transparent Civil Society Initiative by Transparency International, through which we commit to making available online key financial information as to how and for what purposes we use your donations. You can read this and other information about our humanitarian organization here.
Here you can download our Organization Factsheet with a lot of interesting information about us and our humanitarian mission.