Growing Hope Globally’s sustainable food security programs in the developing world "grow lasting solutions to hunger.” Our focus is on agricultural DEVELOPMENT rather than food aid. Because 75% of the world’s poor live in rural areas and depend on farming for their livelihoods, Growing Hope Globally works at the village level to find ways to grow food successfully and sustainably in each community’s unique cultural and environmental context. These programs are individually tailored to the needs of each village as expressed by the villagers themselves, and may include seeds, tools, education in appropriate farming technologies, well-digging, improvement of livestock breeds, community savings and loan associations, training sessions on health, nutrition, gender equity -- whatever it takes to help the community reach a higher level of food security in 3-5 years. And, when families have enough food to share, barter or sell to earn income, they can purchase needed medicines and household staples, and send their children to school, and live healthy, productive lives. We raise money through U.S.-based "Growing Projects" for the food security programs of our 16 Implementing Organizations and their trusted in-country partners in Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.