When one mother leader in Unbound’s El Salvador program was asked this year what advice she might give to others hoping to create change, her words were simple, yet impactful.
“I invite you to motivate yourselves to achieve everything [you] want,” the 25-year-old said. “Because the Lord our God provides us with many things, but if we do not move, nothing is possible.”
For Unbound, the year 2023 was a season of movement and change. The year was marked by the unfolding of exciting new opportunities, partnerships and leadership, but it was also a time for reflecting on all that has been and all that is still to come.
From Unbound supporters and staff, to sponsored individuals and families, to whole communities — all were motivated in 2023 to get moving, to make possible the impossible and to leave a lasting impact.
The year buzzed with big announcements. Following the launch of Unbound’s newly redesigned website in spring of 2023, the organization announced a beneficial partnership with a UNESCO Category 2 Center to study inflation’s impact on those living in poverty, all the while celebrating two years of successful, worldwide implementation of the Poverty Stoplight methodology.
But it was several other stories that stuck with us, continuing to drive impact while inviting contemplation long after they were published. Here are just five of those stories.
December 15, 2023 | Child Sponsorship
Top 5 Stories of 2023
Unbound achieves 1 millionth sponsorship, Jonathan Roumie partnership, CEO retires, inflation hits families hard, awareness trips return
By Kati Burns Mallows
1. Unbound Achieves Milestone of Partnering with 1 Million Sponsored Friends
The summer of 2023 marked a milestone in the 42-year-history of Unbound when the organization achieved partnership with its 1 millionth sponsored friend. The community celebrated the accomplishment with a special message of gratitude to supporters from Interim President and CEO Ashley Hufft.
Watch the message of gratitude.
Sponsored child Nicole, 8, leans against the shoulder of her older sister Giselle, 11, outside their family’s home in Rwanda. Nicole’s family is a prime example of the powerful impact sponsorship can have in the life of a child’s entire family. Practicing saving, they used part of the sponsorship funds as capital to start a sorghum juice business and to boost their farm, creating a sustainable livelihood for the family.
2. Sponsorship as a Direct Expression of Faith
Actor Jonathan Roumie announced, in partnership with Unbound, that he was the sponsor of the organization’s 1 millionth friend, a 6-year-old child in Rwanda. In an interview recorded during a visit to Unbound’s headquarters in Kansas City, the star of the hit TV series “The Chosen” shared his sponsorship journey with the world, while encouraging viewers to step forward and sponsor Unbound’s 20,000-plus other children and elders awaiting sponsorship.
Watch “Sponsorship as a Direct Expression of Faith.”
“The Chosen” actor Jonathan Roumie visited Unbound’s global headquarters in Kansas City in November following his partnership with the organization. While there, he toured the Experience Center, shared his sponsorship testimony, and got the chance to meet his second sponsored friend and her family virtually.
3. Unbound President and CEO Announces Retirement After 25 Years of Service
In July, Scott Wasserman, then president and CEO of Unbound, announced his retirement after two-and-a-half decades of service. Unbound’s chief strategy officer and general counsel, Ashley Hufft, stepped in as interim president and CEO while the governing board began a global search to name a permanent CEO.
Read “Unbound President and CEO Announces Retirement.”
Unbound retired president and CEO, Scott Wasserman, right, and his wife, Anabella, during a visit with their elder sponsored friend, Cirila, left, in Guatemala.
Current Unbound interim president and CEO, Ashley Hufft, during a 2022 staff formation trip to El Salvador where she met 8-year-old sponsored child Jazmin.
4. Paying the Price
In the aftermath of the pandemic and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, among other factors, countries all over the world were left reeling under rising inflation. Families who were already living in poverty bore the brunt of this crisis. This story took a deep dive into the impact of inflation on Unbound’s sponsored individuals and families and offered ways readers could help.
Read “Part 1: Paying the Price.”
In Guatemala, Nora and her husband, Pascual, have felt the impact of inflation so hard that sometimes they are forced to choose between educating their three children or feeding them. Nora typically spends $13 USD per week on the family’s food and meals; if not for the sponsorship benefits, she might not be able to put food on the table. Pictured is Nora with her daughters, sponsored child Cristel, 12 (left), and Karen, 8, in their home.
5. 'A Trip with Purpose'
After an absence of three years, Unbound’s sponsor awareness trips returned in 2023 on a limited basis. Unbound sponsors and staff alike relived the disappointment and uncertainty of the trips’ status during the pandemic shutdown and the excitement of stepping out again for the first time following their reintroduction.
Read ‘A Trip With Purpose.’
During a 2019 awareness trip to Guatemala, sponsor Marlene picks coffee berries while learning firsthand about coffee production and processing, which is one way many Unbound families in the area earn their livelihoods.
Honorary Top Story of 2023
The year’s top stories list wouldn’t be complete without “The Creative Vision and Legacy of A Founder,” a story commemorating the 10th anniversary of the passing of Unbound Co-founder and President Bob Hentzen. The story not only paid tribute to one of the most well-known and beloved founders, but also served as a reminder of the organization’s founding roots, program innovations, and the impact of walking with the poor and marginalized for more than 40 years.
Read “The Creative Vision and Legacy of A Founder.”
Unbound co-founder Bob Hentzen is well-remembered by individuals and families throughout the Unbound world. A songwriter of simple yet profound folk songs, Hentzen often sang and played for families when he visited their communities.