Hope International took time out of their second week of school to host a blood drive. Ninety four students donated blood to supply a community hospital. The teachers, staff, and all of us stateside are proud of them for choosing to give in this way.
Also, on October 10th, the campus will once again serve as a voting station for Liberia's upcoming presidential election.
Thank you for partnering in creating a space that not only serves the students each and every day, but benefits the entire community.
Smith is Home and Ready to Lead!
Smith Samah has landed in Liberia. It took some weeks to wrap up with all of the paperwork requirements in India. Just a few days before leaving he was once again honored by Sandip University in an awards ceremony with graduating First Class with Distinction.
All of the staff and students, family and friends, and all of us at The Hope Project are so proud of Smith's accomplishments. He has done himself, his community, and his country proud. Thank you to all who shared their generosity to help Smith get home, so he can once again take place among Liberia's young leaders.
Removing Barriers
In Liberia, 30% of young women aged 15-19 are parenting or pregnant. Lack of access to birth control is a significant contributing factor.
Hope International students have expressed a desire to have access to family planning education and resources. With the support from the school nurse and the school administration, a student-leg club has formed the program Graduation Before Procreation to help remove barriers for family planning. Liberian instructors have begun in-class education for all 7th through 12th grade students.
Amy, a long-time friend of The Hope Project, heard about this program and offered to throw a pool party fundraiser in Wenatchee in support.
Through Amy’s network of friends over $800 was raised to begin the second goal of the Graduation Before Procreation program. Hope International will begin monthly school-bus transportation to a medical clinic in the capital city of Monrovia where students will receive a health screening and access to free birth control, removing cost and transportation barriers.
Thank you students, thank you staff, thank you Amy and friends, for supporting the educational dreams of young women!