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

Where Hospitality, Joy, and Community Reside

As you are likely sleeping, we are in Liberia starting our 5th full day. Currently, we are a team of 6 from the States. Two of us have been to Liberia and for the other four it is their first visit. I’m grateful these board members have invested their time and resources to see in-person what they have been supporting from afar.
 
Together, we have been meeting, greeting, learning, laughing, cooking, assisting, arting, planning, driving, eating, crying, dancing, and partnering.

We are collectively experiencing what I can only describe as a firehose of community, hospitality, and joy.
 
I (and others from the team) will be sharing stories and photos of some of the experiences that exemplify all that Hope is!

You, who have chosen to partner with Hope, would be so amazed at what this community has accomplished with your support.

Standing Ovation for Vocation

Much celebration happened recently, as 98 students from all three of Hope International's vocational programs graduated surrounded by family and friends cheering them on.

Through awarded grants from Project Redwood, we were able to establish Hope International's on-site vocational programs Sew Much Hope, Cooking Up Hope, and Power of Hope. These programs provide the necessary training for graduates to work in the formal job market and create thriving small businesses within their local communities. On average, 85% of past graduates are using their skills to earn an income.

Read more about the impact these vocational opportunities are having on students here.

Congratulations graduates on your big achievement! Thank you to our Hope community for your partnership that sustains these programs.