Celebrating the 2024 Hope Letter Campaign Winners

We are thrilled to commemorate the winner letters of last year’s Hope Letter Campaign, a global initiative inspiring students across Canada and over 50 countries. Through heartfelt letters and meaningful reflections, participants engaged in an incredible journey of empathy, resilience, and global awareness. 

Each year, students reflect on a case study of a child or children supported through the Good Neighbours Child Sponsorship Project. The 2024 case study focused on Ambana and Kenzo:

 

Meet Ambana and Kenzo

Each year, students reflect on a case study of a child or children supported through the Good Neighbours Child Sponsorship Project. The 2024 case study focused on Ambana and Kenzo:

Ambana lives with her little brother Kenzo, who is six years old. Kenzo previously suffered from Buruli ulcer, a tropical bacterial disease that, with early detection, can be treated. However, poverty prevented Kenzo from accessing early medical care, deeply impacting their future dreams. Through the campaign, students were encouraged to write letters of hope and support for Ambana and Kenzo.

To learn more about Ambana and Kenzo’s situation before the support of Good Neighbours, watch the case study video here.

"I have a dream. I want to see Kenzo’s legs heal fully and go to school."

The Impact of the Hope Letter Campaign

For over 15 years, Good Neighbours has coordinated this global citizenship education program, engaging over three million students globally each year. The Hope Letter Campaign aligned seamlessly with the Canadian school curriculum, promoting literacy, critical thinking, and global citizenship. By encouraging students to express their thoughts and hopes, the campaign fostered cross-cultural understanding and strengthened their voices in international dialogues. Through their letters, students connected with peers worldwide, advocating for change and spreading messages of hope.

We are happy to share that Ambana and Kenzo have received your messages of hope. Thanks to the support from Good Neighbours and participants like you, Kenzo is now healthy, attending school, and enjoying life with his sister in a safe new home.

Recognizing Excellence

Our 2024 winners demonstrated outstanding creativity, compassion, and a deep commitment to social change. Their words and drawings inspired action and reinforced the importance of advocacy in education.

  • Most Inspirational Letter – Daniella from Keystone School
  • Most Inspirational Artwork – Minah from Keystone School

The awards were specially selected by our esteemed judging panel, including:

  • Justin Hu, Treasurer of GNCA Board of Directors
  • Kimberly Gibbons, Executive Director of OCIC
  • MP Sean Chen, Scarborough North

GNCA staff members Rachel Morrison and Elizabeth Francisco had the honor of personally delivering the awards to the winners, celebrating their incredible contributions, and recognizing their impact on the community.

A special thank you to Keystone School and all the participating institutions for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout the campaign. Their dedication to fostering global citizenship and empathy among students has been instrumental in making this initiative a success. The commitment of educators, families, and schools across Canada and beyond to inspiring young minds to think beyond borders is truly commendable.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 Hope Letter Campaign will officially launch in March, inviting students, schools, and organizations across Canada to participate. With new materials and both online and in-person submission options, we look forward to seeing even more students join this meaningful initiative. We invite all schools, students, and families in Canada to take part and make a difference.

Congratulations once again to all the winners! Stay tuned for social media highlights as we continue celebrating their incredible achievements.

Scroll To Top