“We are thrilled to be back…ready to tackle another exciting year…”

Mark Howe | Hope International School Principal

Dear Friends of Hope,

A brief back to school letter to the students, teachers, support staff, and our international partners.

On behalf of the staff of Hope International, I extend a warm welcome back to school to you all as we begin a new academic session (2024/2025). We are thrilled to be back, rejuvenated and ready to tackle another exciting year of teaching and learning.

First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your tireless efforts and dedication to shaping the minds of our future generations. Last year, we faced many challenges, but together as a staff and with the massive and marvelous supports from our international partners, we adapted and solved and stand stronger together.

I want to say a big thank you to each of you for all you are doing to keep the “HOPE” alive! Let us embrace this new beginning with renewed energy, enthusiasm, and a shared commitment to the work we share.

Together, We Are Hope!
Mark Howe

Please meet Anointed Robinson, a 9-year-old, third grade student at Hope International. Anointed and her family welcomed us into their home to share a typical day. We invite you to look through the photos, read the captions, and get to know the life of Anointed who represents the nearly 1,500 students of Hope International.

Anointed shares a house with her parents and 14 other family members (including aunts and cousins) in Bassa Town Community, Gardnersville. About a 20-minute walk from the school campus. She begins her day at 6am by helping her mom wash dishes. After morning chores, Anointed dresses in her uniform and shares breakfast with her little sister, Blessing.

She and Blessing begin their walk to school joined along the way with friends and classmates from other neighborhoods. Anointed spends her day working hard along with her other third grade classmates. Her teacher’s name is Ms. Cheachea. During recess, Anointed plays with her sister and friends. They pool their money together to share a bowl of food. Elementary students are dismissed at 1:55pm. Anointed walks back home alongside her sister and friends. Once home, she changes out of her uniform, snuggles her niece, begins afternoon chores, and helps with dinner preparation. Food is cooked outside over coals.

While spending time with family, Anointed’s mother plaits her hair in preparation for the remaining days of the week. After chores, cooking, dinner, and homework, she has a chance to play. Many games are played with found items (notice the bottlecaps?). So much joy and laughter. Anointed ends her day warming water over coals to take a bath. She gets on her nightclothes then heads to bed, which she shares with other kids in the family. She goes to sleep early so she can be up bright and early for the next day.

Celebrating the Class of 2024 Graduates

On October 12th, 202 (including 19 adults in night school) Hope International seniors joyously gathered together with their families, friends, and staff for the Class of 2024 graduation ceremony. Among the graduates were 3 valedictorians, a mother and son graduating together and 3 legacy students, those that have attended Hope International from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Legacy Student | Naomi

Legacy Student | George

Legacy Student | Saddatu

Valedictorians

Son and Mother

“Each of you has demonstrated dedication and resilience throughout your journey, and today marks a significant milestone in your lives. We are so proud of your hard work, commitment, and the perseverance you have exhibited. We believe in your abilities to create a brighter and more prosperous future, and we look forward to hearing about your many accomplishments in the years to come.”

— The Hope Project Stateside Board of Directors

Introducing Hope International’s Class of 2025!

Looking sharp aren’t they? One of the most noticeable and lovely things when walking down the streets of Liberia in the morning or afternoon is all of the kids in their brightly colored uniforms. Uniforms are required at all schools. It helps quickly identify students by their school colors. Students at Hope International look forward to their special senior uniforms, in the familiar blue and white colors of Hope International.

In a beautiful full circle way, this year’s class uniforms were made by Sew Much Hope Tailoring Shop, the sewing collective started by four amazing young women, graduates of the Sew Much Hope vocational program. You can read more about their story here.

Safety in Numbers

Safety in Numbers

Recently, there has been much discussion at Hope about safety for our students and staff. This conversation ties into the concept of “safety in numbers” that we, as a community, have provided over the past 17 years. The reality is that your collective, focused generosity has impacted thousands of students and entire communities through the educational opportunities and support of Hope International. You have been present and partnered and provided safety nets when needed in support of students, staff and families who have so few of them.

By doing so, you will join the 153 other individuals and families who make it possible for us to open the doors each and every year. Our recurring gifts are how we can confidently predict how much money we will have for the year. The fact that this one giving community has made so much possible is nothing short of miraculous.

Once a year we formally ask you, who are part of this community of Hope, to consider making a gift on a recurring basis.

Perhaps one day we will receive a $10,000,000.00 grant, eliminating the need for fundraising letters like this. While that would certainly make things easier and less stressful, I’d miss the reality we’ve created together. It’s a reality where you, me, us, join hands to provide safety nets, working alongside our Liberian neighbors to support the children of Liberia. The students need this support, but we need it too.

We all need to participate in something beyond ourselves and our familiar lives. We need to witness collective good happening in real-time. In a world that often emphasizes independence and self-reliance, we must remember that we live in an interdependent world where the most beautiful gifts are found in our connections with one another, These connections provide “safety in numbers” benefitting us all.