Learning for Hope does not give charity; Learning for Hope builds partnerships. We do not simply give away school supplies or computers. We believe that that kind of relationship breeds dependence and eliminates the possibility of true friendships being formed. When you give something to someone, there is intrinsically an imbalance in the relationship. The giver becomes the person of power and the receiver becomes the person in a position of need who will continue to be a person in need. In order to avoid these kinds of relationships, we work with the people, not for them. 
PATERNALISM IS AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.
With all of our projects, the communities and their schools provide us with proposals for long term projects. They tell us what they need and what they can contribute. If the projects appear to be sustainable, a working relationship is established. For example, in Sacaca, the people wanted to build a school greenhouse. The people provided the labour and the adobe, and we purchased the materials necessary for the proper construction of the
roof. Sacaca now has a greenhouse which will provide the school with a living/breathing classroom for their students, and the community will be able to supplement their diet with a greater variety of vegetables.
