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As we are nearing the end of 2022, we celebrate all the hope-filled things that you made possible.
Wishing you all a holiday weekend full of joy, connection, and hope.
This past Saturday was a jubilant day at Hope International as the hard-working students of the Sew Much Hope and Cooking Up Hope vocational programs graduated. Liberia shared with us some of the beautiful photos from the ceremony.
As I looked through all the photos, the joy and pride are evident. The graduates are radiating with confidence and hope. One photo that caught my full attention of the students in our third vocational program, Power of Hope, an electrical technician program. They are pictured sitting together in the front row.
I quickly messaged Kalou, a recent Hope International graduate and our school photographer, and asked “Why are the Power of Hope students there in uniforms? Their graduation is a way off.”
Kalou messaged back right away, a little confused by the question and said (like it was obvious), “They are there to show their support.”
Not only was this such a profound example of solidarity, but it also reminded me, once again of the stateside We in the #WeAreHope. We too are sitting in the rows in full support of the students in Liberia. Project Redwood of Tides Foundation, who entrusted us with three consecutive grants to date that launched the programs, are sitting cheering them on. You, who share your resources and time, are there too, beaming.
Sometimes it’s about those who are shining. Sometimes it’s those who helped them get there. Sometimes it is about both. Together, #WeAreHope.
Shining Together,
Jackie Frazier
Your support during the holiday season, and every other season, makes it possible to provide living-wage salaries to the teachers and staff at Hope International. We would like to celebrate principal, Mark Howe, who exemplifies #WeAreHope beautifully.
Recently, Mark shared a photo on Facebook and the comments announcing #WeAreHope started appearing right away.
When our founding principal, Joseph Cummings, semi-retired last year, Mark stepped into the principal role. An ever-present educator since the very first days of Hope International 15 years ago, he has become part of the foundation from which everything has grown. He personifies hope and steadiness.
Mark Howe and Joseph Cummings
Before the start of the school week, Mark and his family share a meal together Sunday evening.
Monday morning, as early as 5:15 am, the family is up doing the morning chores. The swish of the ratan broom is a pre-sunrise background soundtrack of Liberian households. All the children help.
The youngest of Mark's kids get a motorcycle ride to school, while the older children walk the 30-minute commute.
Mark walks down the deeply rutted road off the highway that leads into the neighborhood where the school resides.
This week the students are attending school on a staggered schedule due to the testing period that marks the end of the second term. Mark spent the morning ensuring each of the classrooms and teachers had what was needed for testing.
In between testing he connects with the students to see how they are doing.
At home after school Mark’s older kids help the younger ones do their studies. When Mark’s wife, Patricia, returns in the evening, after attending her college classes, she does more studying with the kids.
It will all begin again in the morning at 5:15.
The hope that the school staff brings each and every day is everything. Hope is showing up each day and supporting the students. Hope is preparing lessons and correcting papers. Hope is arriving early and staying late. Hope is giving years in service to Liberia’s future leaders. Hope is seeing these educators and students and supporting them, making a way where it once seemed impossible.
Mark, his fellow educators, the students, the surrounding community, you, me…all together, and only together.
Together, #WeAreHope.
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