A Ray of Hope began life in 1996 as a choir and orchestra of 60 children and 10 teachers. It grows daily and now boasts a membership of over 500,000 worldwide of those caring and being cared for.

 A Ray of Hope was honoured by Dr. Federico Mayor, former director-general of UNESCO when he bestowed the title UNESCO Youth Ambassador for the Culture of Peace in 1997. Federico remains a friend and in regular communication.

 1500 schools and organisations have been supported in 66 countries with over $9 million worth of supplies, mostly educational and medical. Uniquely “A Ray of Hope” is free from administrative costs so all support received is delivered complete to worthy recipients in the developing world i.e. no salaries or even remuneration of expenses are paid to anyone.

 Currently there are more than 45 projects on 4 continents. The largest being the Kabbubu Library and Community Programme, Uganda : others include orphanages in Nepal, India and Hungary, specialist schools in Belarus, groups in Romania, Sierra Leone, Philippines, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Nigeria etc  and various cultural, environmental, scientific and peace promoting initiatives across the world.

 The aims of the International NGO are many, but at the forefront is the promotion that cultural diversity is enrichment. Of equal importance is the desire to make friends and if possible to assist friends in the growth of education, science and culture.

Painting entitled "Music of the Sea" by a 12 year old from Mozyr, Belarus