Please meet Mrs. Victoria Johnson, a neighbor from the community surrounding Hope International, who was given the opportunity to attend Hope's on-site vocational program, Sew Much Hope, by Principal Mark Howe. Through frequent visits to the school to check on her niece, she became friends with Mark. A couple years back, Mrs. Johnson became ill. Mark came to visit her during her illness and she shared her interest in attending the Sew Much Hope program. The small fees were a barrier for her, but Mark said when she was well enough to attend, the school would take care of that.

Mrs. Johnson recovered and began attending the sewing and tailoring program.

During my recent visit to Liberia, I got to meet Mrs. Johnson and see her participate in the Sew Much Hope graduation program where intermediate sewers transitioned to their advanced training.

*Mrs. Johnson was chosen by her classmates to be a speaker at the graduation, where each student designed, patterned, and sewed a garment of their choosing.*

Mrs. Johnson is a leader in her sewing cohort and is working to grow a business that supports her and her family.

On International Women's Day, one of you in our Hope community, asked if there was a woman they could honor in some way. Mark suggested providing Mrs. Johnson a sewing machine. A $180 cost that is insurmountable to most Sew Much Hope graduates desiring to start their own business. She received her sewing machine this month and is on her way!

Speaking of sewing, be watching in the coming weeks as you will have the opportunity to purchase sets of napkins sewn by the Sew Much Hope Cooperative.

Thank you to the one who heard Mrs. Johnson's story and made it possible and to all of you who partnered in creating a place and space where these kinds of opportunities can happen.

Sew Together,
Jackie Frazier