Peers Through The Years

Friends of Hope, Claire and Tanner Evans with their son

---

Tanner Evans has been a friend of Hope for many years. In 2019, he said that he would like to share a sizeable gift for a special need. It was at this time that we were launching a pilot program called the Liberian Motorcycle Club, a program that helped graduates run small transportation businesses to offset their college expenses. Tanner and Smith were introduced and have remained connected ever since. They are alike in so many important ways: strong leaders, tenacious, hardworking, helpful and generous. There are no two men you could find that shine brighter than these two. 

While Smith was completing his undergraduate degree, he and Tanner stayed in touch. When Smith was given the opportunity to attend school in India and earn a master's degree in mechanical engineering, Tanner once again supported this dream and this opportunity. 

Smith Samah receiving his master’s degree in mechanical engineering

---

Together with Claire and his extended family, Tanner paid the tuition for Smith's master's degree. Seriously, how amazing is that?

Tanner shared recently...

In celebration of two amazing young men.

Ruth + Stacy = Beautiful Care

Full disclosure: I adore Stacy Stubblefield (Hope partner) for many reasons. She is funny, warm and interesting. Stacy is a mushroom hunter, a handcrafter, and she, through the care she gives to mothers in our community, was the one to "catch" my first grandbaby. Stacy also supported my youngest daughter throughout her pregnancy.

Aside from all these amazing things, Stacy has quietly created the opportunity for Hope International alum Ruth Kerkula to attend nursing school in Liberia.

After a fundraising event where we shared, in part, the need for scholarship opportunities for our graduates to attend university, Stacy approached and asked if there were any students who might want to go to nursing school.

I immediately thought of Ruth, who on our recent visit to Liberia had shared this dream with me. Ruth has been attending school ever since.

Stacy, who has practiced nursing and midwifery for 19 years has based her practice around "if you take care of the mother first, the family will be healthy."

Stacy's generosity has changed Ruth's life by supporting her educational goals. Two strong and beautiful women who are and will be supporting mothers from two sides of the world. 

Celebrating Powerful Partnerships,
Jackie Frazier
Executive Director | Hope Project

The Best Example

Hope board member Bini and his family

---

In July 2021, the stateside board was having a difficult conversation during our meeting. We had been presented with a large unbudgeted but essential need for a Hope International staff member in Liberia. Naomi, our former vice principal, needed treatment for her life-threatening kidney disease. Our Liberian staff does not have medical insurance, in fact, it isn't even an option in Liberia. You, our community of Hope, has stepped in over the years in so many beautiful ways to support our staff's medical emergencies and treatments.

---

After this meeting, Hope board member Bini shared that he personally would like to create a fund that supports the medical needs of our Liberian staff. Through his designated giving since 2021, Naomi was able to get treatment and her life was prolonged. Since that time, Bini's generosity has paid for numerous staff member's emergency hospital visits, funerals and family expenses following too many early deaths of staff, Joe's hospitalization after his spinal injury and so much more. The medical fund Bini created has extended care on behalf of all of us to support our teachers and staff in times of their deepest need.

When we asked Bini what made him want to share in this specific way he said simply and profoundly...

Bini's generosity, and yours, have changed so many lives in the most direct ways possible through providing medical care during crisis and need. It's one of the brightest ways we shine together.