about us
Charity alone won't make change. Empowerment will.
(Educate + Equip) x Empower
We believe individuals and communities are empowered through education and the means to make a good living.
And we believe communities are the experts. When we listen to them and follow their lead, more people get the help they need. More people are empowered.
By focusing on education initiatives and supporting local job creation, we're empowering individuals and communities to break cycles of poverty.
We're adopting a bold, lasting approach to development — one that prioritizes dignity, local ownership, and sustainability.
We LISTEN to the community and follow their lead.
"Transparency & Communication" is the name of the game - and it goes both ways.
Our goal is to fade away because aid is no longer be needed.
Our Mission
Sharing Hope Africa, Inc. is committed to supporting community driven development initiatives through grassroot, locally-based partnerships for sustainable long-term solutions in rural Southern Africa.
our vision
Access to fundamental education, health, and economic opportunities across rural areas in Africa.
How it all started...
Jami Porzl was 14 when she went on her first relief trip to Swaziland - and she fell in love. Every year, she'd return to volunteer in Swaziland in southern Africa - and over the course of a decade, she built strong and familial relationships, sharing visions of what giving back might start to look like: instead of short-term relief, investment in long-term sustainable solutions.
After graduating from college, Jami's long-time Swazi friend named Joseph came to her for help. The nonprofit he started to serve his current community, and the village where he grew up, was facing an unexpected issue that jeopardized the projects that had been started. Their previous funding source (a US-based NGO that has since closed) left without warning. Jami knew Joseph well, and the vision for his nonprofit. His approach was simple: Educate. Equip. Empower.
In 2019, Jami looked to assemble her team - and met Sophia Caputo. Sophia had spent her childhood organizing and fundraising for causes like Relay4Life, Souls4Souls, and a few other nonprofits - but had recently interned in southern Africa and fell in love with that part of the world. When she returned to the US, she started searching for a new volunteer opportunity - to offer her skills as a means to make an impact. That's when she saw Jami's volunteer posting.
Fast forward one year and the duo completed their first successful fundraising campaign ($3,000 to repair a community water well), and was headed to Eswatini to meet with Joseph and visit his nonprofit's farm. They were on the brink of incorporating a new 501(c)3 in the US in effort to support Joseph's organization - but wanted to discuss it with him first. At the end of a two-week stay, Jami and Sophia flew home - a bit anxious but mostly ready and eager, mentally preparing to file the incorporation papers.
Before the end of winter in 2021, the IRS notified them: Sharing Hope Africa, Inc. had an official EIN (it's 86-191146, in case you were wondering!). Four years later and Sharing Hope Africa has helped employ 12 people locally and sponsored scholarships for over 120 at-risk preschoolers.
Find out more about Sharing Hope Africa's work below.
meet the u.s. and africa-based team
Jami Porzl
Co-Founder
Sophia Caputo
Co-Founder
Joseph Bhila
Eswatini/Mozambique-based NGO Founder and Partner
Selina Bhila
Eswatini Harvesting Hope Farm Partner
Become part of the team dedicated to sharing hope and making a difference.
meet the board of directors
Sihle Pearl Bhila
Chairwoman of the Board
Khara Woehr
Board Member
Victoria Geller
Board Member
