Skilled and Ready

Our three vocational programs (Sew Much Hope, Cooking Up Hope, and Power of Hope), made possible through three grants from Project Redwood of Tides Foundation, continue to create opportunities for Hope International students and community members to gain skills and increase income.

Currently we have a total of 598 students enrolled in the three programs. 275 of these are 11th and 12th graders at Hope International and 323 are surrounding community members who have welcomed the opportunity they may have likely never been granted.
 

Here are four of our graduates doing such HOPEful things!

Cecelia Fomba
Community Member
Cooking Up Hope Graduate

Cecelia says that the culinary skills she gained through Hope International’s vocational program, Cooking Up Hope, have “transformed and elevated her life.” Since graduation, she has been earning income by selling finger foods she prepares each morning in a market stall. Cecelia also is contracted to prepare food for birthdays, graduations, and parties. She is no longer experiencing the impacts of severe poverty.

Tina Sanley
Community Member
Sew Much Hope Graduate

Tina Sanley, graduated in the first class of Hope International’s vocational program, Sew Much Hope. She applied for the sewing machine loan program and has completed all payments. Tina is running a successful in-home business sewing for individuals and local schools. Before having the opportunity to attend Sew Much Hope, Tina shared that she was a struggling mother, often not able to meet her family’s basic needs. Her determination and skill in combination with the training she received has enabled her to earn an income that supports her family. She said, "my life has definitely changed for the better.”

Augustine Tengbeh
Community Member
Sew Much Hope Graduate

Prior to graduating from Sew Much Hope, Augustine struggled to support himself and his family. The tailoring skills he learned through Hope International’s vocational program, Sew Much Hope, have made it possible for Augustine to become a business owner in his community. He has established a shop with employees and is able to support his family with the income he is earning.

Dawosu K. Morris
Community Member
Sew Much Hope Graduate

Dawosu did not complete high school and began raising children early. The skills she gained through Hope International’s vocational program, Sew Much Hope, have helped Dawosu lift her life up from uncertainties and disadvantages. She has now been taking in sewing work in her home. The income she earns has made it possible to provide food and pay for the housing for her family. Dawosu says, “Sew Much Hope has transformed my entire life.”

Now Bendu Can Do!

It is with great happiness that we announce that Bendu Fayah has received a scholarship to attend university. Bendu was the co-valedictorian representing the Class of 2020.

Through a generous scholarship grant from the Williams Friendship Fund, Bendu will be joining other Hope International scholarship recipients who are attending the United Methodist University Nursing Program.

When Bendu received this exciting news, she shared:
“It is my dream to enter the medical profession and help save lives in my country and the world at large. Since the death of my father while I was in high school, things have been difficult for my mother. Since graduation I have been home helping my mother while she sells at market. Upon hearing the news this week, it really brought joy to our hearts that finally, someone from the family will pursue their dreams.”

We are all standing behind you Bendu!

Pursue Away!

Sarah's Square Shaped Heart

We shared with you all about the blooming happening at the school.
So much of where we find ourselves today can be traced to the generosity of our Hope² partners.
We asked Sarah, a Hope² donor and supporter for 9 years, to share why she chooses us.

Why I Choose The Hope Project.

What a joy it was to give some chairs last month. And to do it with so many of you! When the newsletter came, showing the craftsman Abraham and the chairs piled in an old pickup for delivery, I thought, "I was part of that!"

It isn't often we get the chance to have such a short distance between cause and effect. Sometimes the distance might be months or even decades. We try to do the right thing and hope for the best.

In the case of becoming a monthly supporter of The Hope Project, I know my gift means better lives for children, families, and staff at Hope International School. Period. And in the case of the chairs?! Easier still. Students can't learn very well if they are uncomfortable. There's a lot of research coming out about environments that are conducive to learning. My hometown, Bellingham, Washington, just spent $31 million on one elementary school. If these children can have state-of-the-art playgrounds and digital learning tools, certainly these precious students at Hope International should have some new chairs.

I give to a lot of organizations, monthly or one-time, and I decide not to give to others. It's useful for me to think about how I make my choices. There are at least three reasons why I keep choosing The Hope Project:

1. As a donor, I feel seen and valued.

And because I give to many other things (a legacy from my grandfather), I am in the position to notice how many other organizations do not include their donors the way The Hope Project does. They are not doing it to flatter us--they truly value us, want us to share in their sorrows and joys. They see us as human beings who sometimes feel a little lost about how we can make a difference in the world. This matters a lot to me.

2. The Hope Project serves children.

As a mother, l can't help but be drawn to the elemental, vital work of caring for children and helping them succeed. My son is in his second year of college now, and even with the incredible amount of support he has, financially and emotionally, he has still struggled a bit finding his place in the world. How much more these precious students at Hope International!

3. The Hope Project is led by Liberians.

It's really important to me that the things I support see their stakeholders as sovereign, as in control of their own lives, as capable. There are too many examples out there of NGO's forcing certain models on communities, of assuming lack of competency. The Hope Project supplies the funds--the Liberian staff, teachers, and families supply the rest.

Thank you for being with me in this web of support. I feel it, and I hope you do too.

Sarah Murphy-Kangas
Bellingham, WA
October 2022

---

The consistent generosity like Sarah’s has been the foundation of how we’ve been able to meet the needs of the students and staff of Hope International. We would love for you to join us in this work and become a recurring donor.