51 for 5,000,000

Dear Friends of Hope,

According to the World Health Organization there are 51 doctors for Liberia’s population of over 5,000,000(less than 0.1 per 1,000 people). 

In the beginning years of Hope International, a medical clinic was added to serve the students, staff and surrounding community members.  

Sonnie, our school nurse, treats everything from colds to malaria. On average she has 175 visits a month to the small clinic. Her monthly salary is provided by a Hope Project partner who is herself a nurse.

This medical clinic provides medical care to those that would otherwise have no access to these services. 

Currently, we have 6 Hope International graduates working towards their nursing degrees at United Methodist University in Liberia, something that didn’t seem possible 15 years ago. 

Garbage Out

Dear Friends of Hope,

As the sanitation program took shape there was so much to do. Gabriel, with his team, created a plan that involved community education and support, creative solutions, a practical service schedule and vision for the entire community. Classes were held, equipment purchased, locals hired and finally services began. 

During our visit in February this year, we had the opportunity to accompany Gabriel and his team, visiting homes that are benefiting from the services of Green Planet, and see the transformation that just one year can make. 

Garbage is collected in recycled rice bags and households drop them at pick up sites. Bags are picked up three times a week with motorized 3-wheelers or human-pushed wheelbarrows. 

Households pay anywhere from 30 cents to $1.00 per week, depending on their ability to pay.
   
The team has been asked to expand services to the two adjoining neighborhoods, Zinc Town and Riverview.   

Isn’t that the way of Hope…it starts seemingly small, it expands and changes what was into something new and unexpected. 

Garbage In

One of the glaring indicators of Liberia’s ranking as the 4th poorest country in the world is the ever-present piles of garbage (Liberians refer to it as dirt). It is always juxtaposed to the bright colors and bright smiles of the joyful communities living in the midst of it. 

As an impact of Liberia’s civil war(s) essential services were demolished and have never managed to recover. The lack of public sanitation services remains a significant public health threat today. 

During our visit in 2020, it was apparent that the burning of garbage (much of it plastics), by the neighboring households to the school, was causing health impacts for our students and staff.  Without adequate sanitation removal services communities suffer. 

We had a meeting with Gabriel Nyarko, a local environmentalist, visionary, and sanitation provider, to discuss possible partnerships to address solutions for the Gardnersville community. 

With a generous grant from Jim and Sally Olson, in honor of the employees of Olson Lab, a plan was created, and the work began.