Project Samuel works to provide housing to children in developing countries.[/caption]

After seeing orphaned children living on the streets during a trip to Zambia, Africa, Timothy and Melissa Vowell said they decided to do something to make a difference.

The Vowells launched Project Samuel in 2000, a Woodlands-based nonprofit that works to bring hope to at-risk children in impoverished countries, such as Zambia and Nicaragua, through mission teams.

“We take a very holistic approach to these children,” Timothy Vowell said. “There’s never just one problem in their life; there’s a whole group of problems. So if you only address one issue, you’re not really solving the problem.”

The nonprofit has mission teams who travel internationally to project sites throughout the year to bring aid to at-risk children—youths living below the poverty line with either a single parent or as orphans—by addressing food insecurity, housing needs or educational deficits in the community. 

Volunteers have the option of going on a one-week or two-week mission trip to the project sites of their choice, Vowell said. The nonprofit handles travel arrangements, food and accommodations for a flat rate fee.

The organization determines what work will be done at the project site based on a volunteer’s skill set and on the needs of that community. 

“We want to give people the opportunity to travel to a Third World country with a purpose,” Vowell said. “If you come on a trip with our organization, you can volunteer at one of our sites, engage with the kids and also get exposed to the culture there. So not only do you get to travel, but something good is coming out of it because you’re helping to bring hope to the people there.”

The nonprofit is actively working to build family-style housing for orphans in Zambia and a community center in Nicaragua. In the past, the group has also worked in countries, such as Colombia, Jamaica and Mexico.

Project Samuel also offers a child sponsorship program for children in its Zambia project where participants can donate $35 each month to sponsor a child. In Zambia, there are 28 children living in Project Samuel homes.

In the future, Vowell said he hopes to expand the child sponsorship program to include the Nicaragua project site and to gain new volunteers by expanding the nonprofit’s network of organizations. 

“I think that every one of us has the ability to give hope; I just don’t think we take the opportunity as often as we should,” Vowell said. “It doesn’t take a million dollars to impact the world. It just takes a person who wants to get involved and share hope with others.”

Project Samuel
P.O. Box 130127, The Woodlands
832-646-0168
www.projectsamuel.org