Important Conversations at the Kitchen Table

Dear Friends of Hope,

The Hope Project began around a kitchen table in Leavenworth, Washington where Joseph, our founding principal, shared his dream for a community school with us (his friends in the US). Together, we agreed in Hope, that we would work towards this shared vision. It really was that simple. It really was that audacious. 
 
We sent out pleas for support to everyone we knew. You showed up. Together, we all moved forward. 

Every month after was an exercise of Hope. We hoped we would have enough to pay the lease and teachers. We hoped that we weren’t in over our heads (spoiler: we were).  
 
The Hope Project is at its core, a testament to the power of what can happen when Hope is at the center of it all. 

No one around that table knew what was in store and how this one smallish dream would manifest into something so beautiful, Hope International School. 

Together, we are The Hope Project.

First Day of Summer

Dear Friends of Hope,

Today is officially the first day of summer! 

It is our hope that your summer will include some celebrations of what the school year has brought. Hope International will be doing the same as we reflect not only on this year, but what the last 15 years of Hope have made possible.   

We will be spending the summer planning and readying for this next school year when 1,300 students will arrive on campus in their bright blue uniforms, eager for the opportunity of education. 

No One Has Worked Harder

As you are all honoring the graduates in your communities, we invite you to help us honor Smith Samah, Hope International’s first master’s degree recipient.

Many of you have been following Smith’s journey from the beginning. You can read more about Smith here and here. We all know that Smith will be leading Liberia in an important capacity, in the not-so-distant future.

Smith has been in India for two years. He left his family, his fiancé, and his community to pursue his degree and did not have the financial means to return to Liberia once for visits or breaks during his education. He has continuously worked so hard and maintained such joy and gratitude for the opportunity. He is constantly affirming his focus on making The Hope Project proud for the faith placed in him.

Smith is set to graduate from Sandip University with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering on July 8th.

As with all graduations there are expenses for his gown, dissertation fees, travel to the town where graduation is being held and a suit jacket ($470 in total) and for his plane ticket home ($1,000). Total Needed: $1,470. 

I can think of no student who has worked harder or given more to his alma mater, Hope International. Well done, Smith! What an honor it has been to journey alongside of you.

If you would like to help cover these costs, we would welcome your gift. We will add your name to a on-line group card that we will send to him from us all.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Elijah Frazier, the AVID program of Cascade High School and the Evans Family for paying for Smith’s tuition for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees.

In Celebration of Smith,
Jackie