The Holland Sentinel
December 7

Hundreds of Hope College students have donated clothes to be sold to raise money to help orphans in the Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan.

Hope for the Nations, a Hope College student group, is organizing the "Trading Closets" drive, a takeoff on the popular cable show "Trading Spaces" in which neighbors redecorate rooms in each other's homes.

In this case, students and other local residents are donating clothes from their closets and then purchasing other clothes -- in essence trading their closets. Toys appropriate for children ages 2 to 6 are also being sought, which will be shipped to the orphanage.

Clothes will be sold from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Monday and Tuesday in the lobby of Hope's DeWitt Student Center at 12th Street and Columbia Avenue.

Hope for the Nations wants to raise $5,000 to benefit the Hope Learning Center, an agency that works with orphans in Uzbekistan's capital city of Tashkent.

Hope College alumnus Noah Tucker started the Hope Learning Center shortly after graduating in 2001. The agency helps children with reading, writing, match, music, computer training and with hygiene, nutrition and social skills.

Many of the orphans have been neglected, malnourished, abused and suffer from physical or developmental disabilities.

"They have been labeled mentally retarded by the government," said Stephanie Hartsell, 20, a junior at Hope.

Tucker's parents adopted a child from Uzbekistan.

"It moved him to start the Hope Learning Center," said Kim Walkenhorst, 19, a Hope sophomore. "We really admire what he's doing. Noah's very humble about his work."

Tucker started Global Outreach of Broadway Christian Church in his hometown of Fort Wayne, Ind.. Global Outreach operates the center at the orphanage, employing a team of five teachers.

This is the first fund-raising project for Hope for the Nations, which supports students and alumni who pursue careers in other countries in humanitarian, education, medical and mission work.

"There are a lot of students who want to be involved in global issues on Hope's campus. I feel it's a neat and creative way for people to give to a cause," said Rebecca Marcus, 20, a junior.

"It makes the younger generation aware of global issues and provides them an opportunity to be part of the solution," Hartsell said.

Donations may also be made at the Hope Campus Ministries office at the Keppel House, 129 E. 10th St. A donation box will be left on the porch for after-hours drop-offs. People can also make financial donations at the event. Checks should be made to Global Outreach.

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