The Marketplace Story
It began as a “WOW” moment.
Women for Orphans Worldwide (WOW) is the national auxiliary for Orphan Outreach that began in the summer of 2009, when thirteen mothers and daughters traveled on an Orphan Outreach team to serve in Guatemala. That short-term mission trip became the catalyst for life-change. After seeing the overwhelming needs in the children’s homes and communities they visited, the teens asked if they might return home and invite their friends and family members to get involved in making a difference. And so, WOW was born. The auxiliary has built physical therapy rooms for children with special needs, equipped computer labs for schools serving impoverished communities, installed stoves and clean water systems in homes, and they’ve built play areas for little ones. And since then, they’ve gone back every year. WOW is hands-on hope. It’s life-changing impact for the families being served, as well as both the adults and teens that serve them. It provides the opportunity for families to serve together.
Orphan Outreach Marketplace has been on a transformative journey ever since, blossoming into both an online and live event destination. Today, it stands as a beacon of empowerment for our dedicated artisans. It provides them with the opportunity to weave, bead, carve, and live out their faith, highlighting the profound ways the Lord has touched their lives. Orphan Outreach Marketplace has become a powerful conduit, allowing their stories of hope to resonate far and wide, creating a ripple effect of inspiration and transformation in the lives of all who encounter their work. And best of all, Orphan Outreach Marketplace invites you into the lives of both the Guatemalan artisans and the children served by Orphan Outreach in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. With every purchase, you restore hope.