To share and inspire Why and how to do that? A good story is inspiring About the why In order to make the mission of HOE possible, our foundation has been cooperating with Christian fellowships and contact persons in Eastern Europa for over 40 years. Those fellowships and people are our representatives in Eastern Europe. Together with them projects are being developed. Most projects are linked to a financial contribution. To make these projects possible we collect money through churches, companies, schools and private donors in the Netherlands. Through story and image we first want to share with these groups what the ‘need’ is (why is their support needed?) and then after that what has happened with that money (what’s the impact?). Numbers and facts are not sufficient for that. It is all about the people behind the numbers and the simple facts. Telling the story gives a face to those numbers and facts. Especially when the stories are being told by the people who are receiving the support. These stories are inspiring and can move people in the Netherlands to be (more) involved and engaged. Sharing the story behind the facts and numbers is necessary to make known the work that’s happening in Eastern Europe in a good way; to inform people and to raise funds. Your help is very important in this! But how? 1. The closer to the source the story comes from, the better it is. So it would be best if people who need and ask for the support share their story. Of course our contacts in Eastern Europe or the regional coordinators could also share a story from their perspective. But the people receiving the support should get all the space to share their own story. 2. Constantly ask the question of ‘why’ when sharing the stories. Donors aren’t interested in the ‘how’ and ‘what’ of the support; they are interested in the ‘why’. This is a great question for contact persons to ask, but also for regional coordinators. Because then the story gets personal. But this question can also be asked the people on the receiving end of the support. Let them share why that support is so important for them. 3. Good stories are about people and their needs and desires. Not about projects. 4. Don’t dwell on the miserable situation of the people, but ask them how their life has changed because of the support they received. How were they helped or encouraged by it? What are ways to share the stories? 1. A story and a picture for a weblog. Use between 150 and 400 words. 2. A short video. Max. 5 minutes.