Even Art is Better Together

As you have now seen, the theme of this year’s fundraiser & celebration is Better Together.

During our recent visit to Liberia, we witnessed a beautiful example of how we are better together. Before we departed, you donated 700 pounds of art supplies, board members ensured their safe arrival at the school, others joined to sort the supplies, Facilities Manager Jerome Kollie came alongside to build shelves to store what you generously shared with the students. Then stateside board member Christy Nash and Dean of Instruction Adama Sherman became quite a team making art opportunities flourish at Hope International.

Christy’s partnership with Adama, who now continues to bring art into the classrooms, continues across the miles. They are talking regularly and co-planning art lessons for each of the grades.

Adama had a meeting last week to gauge interest in an art club and over 50 students showed up! He shared with us new photos showing the joy art has brought the students.

You and the supplies, Christy and Adama, everyone who helped sort, pack, unpack, organize…every single one of you continues to show what Better Together means in action.

We hope you can join us on Saturday, May 2nd at our annual fundraiser & celebration as we celebrate 18 years of being better together.

Seventeen Serious Faces. Notebooks in Hand. Questions Ready.

A team of 7 journeyed to Liberia this month to visit Hope International and our Liberian friends and partners. Sandi Bammer, one of these travelers, recently joined the stateside Board of Directors and has spent the last few weeks immersing herself in all things Hope. She had the opportunity to spend time with Hope International's press club. One of the many school activities your generosity supports. 

Sandi shared about her time spent with these bright and determined students.

The Hope International School Press Club is an impressive group of junior and senior students led by advisor Jeremaine Mitchell and Press Club president Princess Flomo. Princess is one of thirteen young women in the Press Club, and she is a confident, capable, and strong leader.
 
While some members hope to pursue careers in news and journalism, many are there to strengthen their public speaking skills in preparation for futures in law and other public-facing professions. Every one of them is already helping to shape the future of Liberia.

Sitting across from these bright and articulate young people was such an honor. They arrived with thoughtful curiosity and a list of serious questions, ready to listen closely and report carefully.

We, the Hope International board members, answered panel-style while they took diligent notes, preparing to deliver the news to the student body on Monday morning. The Press Club shares school news twice each week on Monday and Thursday during morning assembly before classes begin—an important responsibility they carry with confidence and pride.
 
They asked what we thought of the school, the curriculum, the quality of the teaching staff, and our commitment to continue the work of sponsorship. They asked for words of inspiration, and we all agreed that it was they who inspired us.

So many wonderful things are happening here at Hope International School. Sitting with these students—witnessing their hard work, commitment, and curiosity—was truly a gift. Liberia is in good hands with these young leaders, and I know that my commitment to the school’s continued success and life-changing impact has only grown over the last week.
 
The future of Liberia is asking smart questions, speaking with confidence, and leading with hope—and we are proud to stand beside them.

Thank you, Sandi, for sharing about your time spent with these bright lights. And thank you, our Hope community, for walking alongside the students of Hope as they pursue their dreams.

Hope is Always a Good Answer

Before we left to journey to Liberia, we challenged Hope International School’s quiz team to a competition during one of their practices. As in most things in Liberia, they took this idea and made it huge.

Last night, we were given questions on Liberian and American history and the history of Hope International School. We begged Smith Samah (Hope International alumni student and former quiz captain) to be our coach. 

A couple of our quiz questions...

Question: Give the full date that Liberia raised her own flag. 
Answer: August 24, 1847.
 
Question: What was the main objective of the New Deal?
Answer: To provide relief, recovery and reform to those affected by the Great Depression.

We are all old and have waning memories and have not made flashcards in decades. But Bettina, our team captain and Hope Project board member, got us up early before daylight to study. We were told to meet on the third floor overlooking the school campus at 12:00 noon. We were nervous and overwhelmed.

The whole school turned up to support their team and at the end of the tournament we were defeated by the score of 135 to 140.
 
What an amazing day we all had together as a team and as a community. There was competition and laughter and technical difficulties (solved by a Power of Hope student of course).
 
Question: In what community will you find the most generous people who have partnered to provide educational opportunities for the students of Liberia?
Answer: The Hope Project