Gardnersville, Liberia
Gardnersville is a suburb of Monrovia, Liberia and the community that surrounds Hope International. It is an integral part of all that happens at Hope. Community members have access to the school medical clinic and clean water. A generous grant was received to provide funding to launch community-based sanitation services in the Gardnersville neighborhoods. The generosity received also extends beyond the school fence to meet some of the deep needs of people living within the community.
Sanitation Program
Through a generous grant from Jim and Sally Olson, in honor of the employees of Olson Lab, a pilot sanitation program was launched. Together with Liberian environmentalist Gabriel Nyarko, classes were held, equipment was purchased, locals hired and services began. Garbage is collected in recycled rice bags and households drop them at pick up sites. Bags are picked up three times a week with motorized three-wheelers or human-pushed wheelbarrows.
Community Funds
The generosity you share with Hope also extends to the neighbors within Gardnersville. Your collective gifts have made it possible to finish houses, care for elders, purchase wheelchairs, support parentless students, provide emergency surgeries, as well as purchase food and supplies.
Water
Providing clean water to the students and community of Gardnersville, has always been a priority. After the school was founded, an above ground cistern, that was filled every few weeks by a water truck, was erected to meet the water needs. With improving conditions, in June 2017, for the first time ever Hope International School was officially connected to a public operating water supply.
Healthcare
The local community is also able to access the free school medical clinic. Liberia has only around 51 doctors serving a population of 4.5 million people (that’s one doctor for every 88,235 people). Access to healthcare is a vital resource.