The Beginning
Hope’s Gate began in 2011 when our founder, Patty Bauman, traveled to India and encountered the desperate plight of countless young people. Seeing the overwhelming needs of street children, orphans, and trafficked girls, she was not hopeless, but instead decided to bring change. Patty partnered with several shelters and safe houses, took a few jewelry designers with her and began a jewelry project. Hope’s Gate was born with a mission to bring hope to orphans, victims of human trafficking, and the world’s most vulnerable. The designs and materials used were very basic in the beginning, but with a drive to persevere, the skills, beauty, and resulting products have improved every year.
Reaching Africa
A few years later, Hope’s Gate expanded to Uganda, creating more opportunities for women and children-at-risk to build a new life for themselves. Using beautiful handmade paper beads and native textiles, a unique product line was started.
Opening Shop
In 2016, Hope’s Gate opened a small store near downtown Wylie, Texas, where we offer products to our local community.
"...bringing hope to orphans, victims of human trafficking, and the world's most vulnerable..."
Refuge in the Middle East
In 2018, Hope’s Gate began a project in the Middle East, as the overwhelming needs of refugees came to our attention. The jewelry project is now active in two countries in the Middle East, and offers income generation to those who have fled their homes, often from life threatening circumstances. The jewelry project gives safe and fulfilling work, keeping them and their children out of the grueling field labor which leaves them unprotected and at risk of sexual exploitation.
The Impact
Each person working in our project receives a fair wage for the items they make. The products are then sold in the USA and the profits are given back to the shelters, safe houses and toward the education of our artisans. In 2018, seventeen students were sent to college with full scholarships.
Education Fund
We launched the Hope’s Gate Education Fund in 2017 when it became apparent that our artisans would benefit greatly from receiving a higher education. We’ve discovered providing educational assistance is a practical way to break the cycle of poverty and exploitation. Our hope is that by offering them a way to get an education, not only will our artisans’ lives be changed but the generations that follow.
Cost of Education
Compared to the cost of a university education in America, pursuing higher education in south east Asia and Africa is relatively inexpensive. Costing between $750 and $2,000 a year per student, it remains out of reach for those in extreme poverty. Will you partner with us to help them reach what is impossible for them now?