Daniel Zopoula and Bridges of Hope Help Families
Founder and President of Bridges of Hope, Daniel Zopoula believes that poverty, inequality, and injustice have become three of today’s most important global issues. With over three billion people living on less than $2.50 a day and 80% of humanity surviving on less than $10 a day, it is restricting people and the progress of society as a whole. Every day, Zopoula makes it his mission to guide families out of poverty and suffering with Bridges of Hope, a multinational charity he founded in the late 1990s.
Through the Bridges of Hope International Network, Daniel Zopoula has helped thousands of children and families overcome economic struggles in poor communities. For more than 20 years, the Canada‐based charity unites the efforts of multiple relief, development and advocacy organizations with the primary goal of relieving poverty. To date, they combat illiteracy and a lack of adequate health care encouraging sustainable economic development, and address critical areas of the world. Through various partnerships, more organizations can spread their reach to be more effective instruments of change for the future.
According to leading business strategist company, The Valcort Group, one of the main reasons why charities and non‐profits fail is because of a lack of productive relationships. Many organizations focus heavily on connecting with donors, but neglect the importance of developing a support network with other like‐minded groups. Through Bridges of Hope, Daniel Zopoula has provided a place for organizations who share a common vision and goal to connect, partner with one another. As a result, his network helps more people than they otherwise would have been able to. Together, the partners of Bridges of Hope have over 30,000 beneficiaries, serve three million meals a year, and have contributed to the education of over 10,000 children across the world.
Groups like Haiti Village Health, a non-profit providing health care and training to one of the most under‐serviced areas of Haiti, and Youth One, a Canadian organization providing young people a space to feel safe and engage in a healthier lifestyle, must do more.
“The charities and organizations we partner with are able to reduce their administrative and overhead costs, which means more of donor contributions go towards achieving goals, rather than trying to sustain a particular agency,” explains Zopoula.
Under the guiding principles of dignity and respect, Bridges of Hope is successfully working with other charities, as well as ministries, governments, donors, and individuals to reach the goal of ‘promoting poverty relief and community empowerment amongst the poorest nations of the earth.’ His continued efforts are a testament to Zopoula, who is demonstrating how powerful the concept of unity can be.
Born in a poor village in West Africa, Daniel Zopoula moved to Canada, where he completed his doctorate. After years of sending money back to his community in Burkina Faso and motivated by a deep desire to do more, he was the driving force behind the creations of Bridges of Hope. As the organization’s network grew, he has been directly responsible for helping thousands of children every year. He was awarded the Orders of Burkina Faso for his work advancing international development. Zopoula is the Canadian archbishop of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches, a senior consultant for Life Direction Training and Consulting, an avid entrepreneur and public speaker, and author of More Than Nothing, published in 2008.
