Hope in Heartbreak

Dear Friends of Hope,

Sad news is not something we wish to be sharing during this holiday season but wanted you to know that our beloved Assistant Principal, Naomi Nyankoon, passed away on December 22nd. Our hearts are heavy. 
 
You may know that Naomi was experiencing kidney disease and together we got her to Sierra Leone to receive dialysis. You can read about Naomi’s journey here.
 
Naomi’s brother, Thomas Peters, was able to visit her in the weeks before her death. He shared that she had been suffering with a bout of malaria and was receiving treatment. He left for the airport with the belief that she was stable. Sadly, he got a call while awaiting his flight, that she had taken a turn for the worse and was being transported to the hospital, where she passed that day. 
 
Many of you stepped in to support Naomi over these past 6 months. One of you paid for her dialysis over these months. Naomi shared many times with us how grateful she was and how this care extended to her and her family gave her strength to press on. She spent these last 6 months away from family but buoyed by their love and your friendship. 

Joseph, Hope International’s founding Principal, shared some thoughts of Naomi. Below are some excerpts.

“I considered Naomi not only a friend, but a sister. We have been friends since 2000. Her brother, Thomas is my dear friend. When he left for the States, I looked after his family during the civil war. This deepened my friendship with the family and Naomi. When the dreams of the school began, it was Naomi who was by my side helping with all of the starting plans. She served on The School Board from 2011-2018. In 2018, she was hired to become the Vice President of Administration of Hope International and was my trusted colleague.

She was tireless in her work to support the school. She was one of my best advisors. She was a mother to many of the students, always sharing her funds to ensure that students had enough funds to eat. She talked straight, even if you didn’t want to hear. She represented me in my absence. My trust for her was complete. My tears have not stopped flowing. She will be missed by everyone.”

We are grateful to have known Naomi. She was truly someone who made this world better for so many. May we continue to follow her example of living purposely and generously in this world.

Together,
The Hope Project

YOU Are The Final Piece

Dear Generous Friends of Hope,

As we complete our Quilt of Hope this holiday season, the final square we’ve reserved for you. The collective you who have shared what you have to make the students and staff in Liberia able to do the year-round magic that they do. 

Each and every time we have shared a need with you this year, you have stepped in, stood up, extended yourself and together, the beauty of this quilt has surprised us all.

We are a small organization. That is true. But the way you all surround and support the work makes it seem gigantic. 

We are still hoping for $10,000 by year end. With you all, nothing seems impossible. 

A Square in the Shape of a Heart

Dear Generous Friends of Hope,

If a quilt square could be shaped like a heart, this would be the one. This sewn in piece represents the tangible love and care that has been extended to Hope this year. Because of you, within the school community there has been: 

• Emergency surgeries and life-saving dialysis.

• Support of parentless students, and parental support.

• Restocked medical clinic shelves.

• Food, supplies, hearing aids, medications, celebrations…

All the stuff that affirms our shared humanity. This piece of the quilt has created safe space and needed support. You have made this possible.   

Give Hope

As we celebrate the holidays and all the connections that bind us, remember the shared connections of love with our Liberian friends that we nurtured together.

As we close out 2021, we would welcome your year-end gifts that make it possible to continue to weave together these quilt squares of Hope.