At Our Best
This June marks the 10th anniversary of the Barrington Country Garden and Antique Faire. The garden faire was started by a small group of Barrington women in order to help women and children in Africa struggling with debilitating sickness, living in life threatening conditions, and struggling to raise their families. Ten years and $3 million dollars later, Hands of Hope has made life better for people in Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia and Uganda. The construction of hospitals, schools, fresh water wells, and farming projects are lasting examples of their efforts.
This signature Barrington area event hosts thousands of people each year who tour gardens in beautiful Barrington Hills and enjoy spectacular rolling landscapes, inspirational gardens, charming architectural elements and unique garden party settings. The main festival-like faire ground is on a 10-acre estate where guests can stroll through a tent-covered French Market that features fine antique dealers and boutique shops. A 19th century farmhouse and barn are stuffed with high-end flea market items. Guests enjoy live musical entertainment while sitting under a canopy of shade trees. Choices of tasty gourmet lunch entrees are available. After lunch, guests can stop by a horticultural workshop or cooking demonstration in the vegetable garden.
This lively event has grown to a planning team of 50, and more than 250 volunteers that help prepare and then assist during the faire. Hands of Hope founder Vicky Wauterlek has nurtured a vision for serving others into something many of us look forward to every year, including those across the world who benefit the most.
“Our impact is best measured when the people we work with, who had been struggling to survive, begin to once again dream and hope and work for a better tomorrow,” said Vicky. “We have grown significantly in the last 10 years, but the determination to change lives is still very much the culture of our organization. We work hard to make sure our projects are self-sustaining and that the impact of our projects will continue in the future.”
Hands of Hope’s projects are integrated into the communities they serve, rather than imposed. “Schools that are built will continue to educate children for generations, wells will continue to provide clean water for communities for years and a million dollar loan portfolio will be used to continue the economic growth in the rural community that we are working in,” Vicky said.
The success of programs like these sparked a new idea this past year. Area middle and high school students have launched fundraisers to purchase fresh water wells for schoolchildren in Uganda. Several schools in the Chicago area are participating, with community encouragement and the blessing of the First Lady of Uganda who during a visit to Barrington last fall.
“The strength of Hands of Hope has been the sum total of our volunteers,” said Vicky. “I have learned that we are all the same – no matter where we live, no matter what our circumstances. We all have the same desires for a better life, for a better future for our children. We are at our best when we are focused on helping others.”
For more information on Hands of Hope, visit www.handsofhopeonline.org.
Cindy Seibert is a volunteer for Hands of Hope.