On Account(ing) of Hope...Introducing Siatta

Siatta and Zumana

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As Zumana graduates and transitions into his new accounting position, through the generosity of Dennis Webb of Webb Accountancy, another student has the opportunity to begin university.

Dennis and his wife Ronda let us know tht they would like to offer a scholarship to a female student interested in entering the accounting field.

Word was put out and Hope International alumni students applied. Through the application and interview process, the staff and alumni students selected Siatta Kanneh, who graduated from Hope International in 2017 and will begin university this month. While attending Hope International she lived with her aunt and 10 other family members. Her father had passed away and her mother is a seller that lives away. Siatta works to support the entire family and she has been doing all she can to ease the family's struggles.

"I am so excited for getting this scholarship because it has been my wish to have such an opportunity to further my education. This opportunity is timely and I am really excited that I will be able to go back to school. It is going to change my life and will make me an important person in the future because I know after my graduation I will be able to work and earn money.

Studying accounting has been my dream...I am strongly motivated by the support of The Hope Project. It is a wonderful opportunity for me. Whenever I face challenges during my studies, the generosity of my sponsor will be a course of inspiration for me to keep on my dream of being an accountant.

I want to say a big thank you to my sponsor, the teachers of Hope International and The Hope Project. I will make you all proud."

We are all standing behind you Siatta as you chase your dreams.

There is Accounting for Hope

In our summer newsletter, we introduced you to Zumana, a Hope International graduate who had received a sponsored university scholarship. He graduated from United Methodist University last month with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is now the accountant at Hope International.
 
Each of you who have given of your resources to The Hope Project share in making this possible for Zumana.  In particular, we would like to thank Dennis Webb of Webb Accountancy in Leavenworth for granting this university scholarship to Zumana.
 
Below is a gratitude letter Zumana asked us to share with our Hope Project community.

"I want to express my deepest and most sincere gratitude to The Hope Project for their extraordinary generosity and unwavering support that has enabled me to attain my bachelor's degree in accounting. Your commitment to education and belief in the power of providing opportunities has transformed my life in ways words cannot fully capture.

The impact of your sponsorship goes beyond the financial support; it represents a beacon of hope, a lifeline that has allowed me to pursue my dreams and aspirations. Your philanthropy has not only alleviated the financial burden of tuition and living expenses but has also empowered me to focus on my studies, excel academically, and engage in extracurricular activities that enriched my overall learning experience.

I am profoundly grateful for the doors of opportunity you have opened for me. Your investment in my education is an investment in my future and the positive change I aspire to bring to the world. The Hope Project's commitment to fostering education as a catalyst for change has left an indelible mark on my life and instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to pay it forward.

To the benefactors, organizers, and everyone associated with The Hope Project, please accept my heartfelt appreciation for your vision, compassion, and dedication to making education accessible to those in need. Your selfless contributions have not only shaped my academic journey but have also fueled my determination to contribute meaningfully to society.

As I embark on the next chapter of my life, armed with the knowledge and skills gained during my bachelor's degree, I carry The Hope Project legacy with me. Your belief in my potential has been a driving force, and I am committed to using the education you made possible to create positive change and make a meaningful impact on the world."

Congratulations Zumana! Thank you to each of you for partnering in Hope and for making educational opportunities possible for Zumana and the 1,300+ students of Hope International! 
 

Where We All Are Strengthened

Over the holidays we received this beautiful email from longtime friends of The Hope Project, Pete and Marcy, in memory of their friend Barb Kelly.

Barb, far left, with Pete, Marcy and friends, celebrating Hope

"Barb was a longtime supporter of Hope. During the pandemic, she hosted a Hope Project unEvent fundraiser. We went to her house where she had prepared a Liberian meal with all the trimmings thanks to a Hope food box. We shared the meal with her and other friends. Barb, who was not a cook, was thrilled to make the meal and host s. It was a festive and memorable time for all of us.

Recently, we went to Barb's house again for a meal, this one a potluck. It was the 1st anniversary of her death from brain cancer. Her family and friends were there and she was there in spirit. This was not a mournful affair, but rather celebratory. For our potluck contribution, Marcy and I pulled out our Liberian recipes and made Liberian chicken with greens, just as Barb had made those years ago. In this way, Hope was with us. And, by strengthening our Liberian neighbors, we strengthen our own community, one chicken dish at a time."

Grateful for Barb and all that she gave to the local and international communities during her life. Grateful for Pete and Marcy and all of you who through your generosity continue to strengthen our Liberian neighbors and our own communities.