Village of Hope moves into their new home

By Joan Janzen

The community of Eston learned all about their newest neighbour at an information session held Thursday night, October 12 at the AGT Community Centre. Co-founder Mart Vahi spoke to a crowd of over a hundred people offering extensive information about Village of Hope. It operates in New Brunswick as well as at Estonia, a country in Northern Europe. They are also establishing a new Village of Hope in Cuba, and now in Eston, Sask.

On August 31, they received the keys to the former Eston Bible College property. At that time they also received a warm welcome and met with MLA Ken Francis, Mayor Glen Goheen, and Hon. Jeremy Cockrill, Minister of Highways. The new facility is a result of Eston Bible College’s decision to give their campus to Village of Hope to serve those suffering from addictions in western Canada.

Photo: L-R: Ben - Villlage of Hope graduate, Judy Olyowsky - former office manager at Eston Bible College, and Kyle - Village of Hope graduate. Ben and Kyle are working at Village of Hope in Eston and were displaying the homemade maple syrup and wooden cutting boards they make and sell to raise funds for Village of Hope.

The ten-month long Christian-based program is dedicated to helping men and women of all ages overcome addictions. The facility in New Brunswick was founded in 2008, where it is located on 200 wooded acres. As well as receiving emotional, physical and inner healing, people in the program learn employment skills, work experience and a good work ethic.

In New Brunswick, the participants make maple syrup from the many maple trees on the property. They also make beautiful cutting boards, both of which are sold to raise funds. Village of Hope is a registered charity, funded by donations.

“We have an industry in every Village of Hope,” Mart explained. “We do pellets in Estonia, syrup and woodwork in New Brunswick. In Eston we’re thinking of making a bakery where the library used to be, and we could also make a cafe.”

The staff is currently busy cleaning, maintaining and renovating their new facility. Mayor Glen Goheen said it’s incredible what they’ve managed to get done in such a short amount of time.

In response, Mart Vahi said he’s never started anything anywhere where the people are as friendly as the people in Eston have been.

Mart, who lives part of the year in Estonia and part of the year in New Brunswick, had many stories to tell.

He shared how someone who had overdosed sixteen times had recovered and now leads Village of Hope in Estonia. In fact all the teachers and leaders were once part of the program.

“It just shows you what can be done with people who want to change their lives,” he said.

“I never started out to do this,” he said. When his son struggled with addictions, he had to learn how to help him. Now, father and son are co-founders of Village of Hope.

Mart said one addict will directly affect seven people, and those people often suffer more than the addict does. The program offers restoration of families, not just addicts. Approximately 70 percent of their graduates go on to live successful lives and do great things in their community.

Their connection with Eston began when Mart’s son married a girl from Eston. “My wife and I had visited at the Bible College in past years,” he said. “We’re really happy to be back here.”

Two of the graduates from the program will be working at the Eston location. Both shared their stories of recovery from addictions.

Kyle, from Moncton, NB, described himself as a functioning alcoholic. 

He worked seven days a week, made good money but didn’t take any of it home. Eventually both he and his brother went to Village of Hope.

“My brother and I had different addictions. He was on the street; I was a functioning addict,” Kyle said. “I wouldn’t trade the experience at Village of Hope for anything. I’m here to help others who are going through the same problems I went through.”

Ben was the second graduate to share his story. He had become addicted to crystal meth at a very young age and became homeless. He enrolled in the Village of Hope but he said “I graduated without being sincere. The day I graduated I was actually using. I left and they took me back again, even though I lied to them and cheated on the program.”

The second time around, Ben submitted himself to God and overcame his addiction. “I’m still in disbelief. I went from taking from people, to giving to people. Life isn’t perfect, but it’s perfect compared to what it used to be,” he said.

Mart said they do a lot of work on inner healing, dealing with trauma, hurt and pain from the past. “Some of these people become the best workers and helpers you could ask for. They are so thankful and want to do something to give back for what they have received,” he said.

They help them find employment after graduating. They also advise them never to go back to the town where they lived with their addiction and to never return to the friends they used to hang out with.

Both men and women are accepted into the program, however men and women aren’t allowed to build relationships with one another. “They aren’t good at building relationships,” Mart said about newcomers to the program. However he’s discovered as men and women see each other as struggling individuals, they begin to respect one another.

There are three dormitories in the building, and there will also be a place where families can come visit for the weekend. “We also offer family courses to help family members deal with the person who has addictions,” he said.

Those applying will have a phone interview to determine if the person wants to change. A criminal record, medical history and on sight interview will follow.  There’s also a $1000 entry fee “but if they don’t have it, they don’t have to pay,” he said. “Once accepted, they have to hand over their cell phone.” They’re also expected to help with work and upkeep of the building. “They need to show they have some responsibility. That’s why they work - to help contribute.”

Promotion of what Village of Hope offers is primarily through the Internet, word of mouth and social workers. And to the people in Eston who attended the information meeting, Mart said, “We can’t do it alone, but together we can do a mighty lot of good.”