Transformation through Vocation

Liberian staff at Hope International longed for many years to create on-site vocational programs for former and current high school students, as well as local community members.

During 2019-2021, The Hope Project applied for and was awarded three consecutive grants by Project Redwood of Tides Foundation to meet this dream. 

These grants have funded our on-site vocational programs: Sew Much Hope, Cooking Up Hope and Power of Hope. The three programs, chosen by the Liberian staff, are preparing students for employment and small business opportunities in the fields of Sewing/Tailoring, Culinary Arts and Electrical Support. 

In 2023, a fourth and final grant was again awarded by Project Redwood of Tides Foundation for the continuation of these vocational opportunities and the expanded funding for small business grants. 

15 years ago, this dream felt impossible. As Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”  
 
Thank you, Project Redwood, for making the seemingly impossible possible. 

430 to 1,300

Dear Friends of Hope,

At the center of The Hope Project are the 1,300+ students who attend pre-K through 12th grade classes each day at Hope International. 

In 2008, 430 students were the first to walk through the school doors to attend pre-K through 8th grade. 

As the school grew and provided more educational opportunities, so did the student body. An additional high school grade was added each year.
 
In 2012, 975 students were attending pre-K through 12th grade classes at Hope International. The first-ever graduating class of 45 students received their diplomas in 2013. 

To date, nearly 1,000 students have received a high school diploma from Hope International, many of them are the first in their families to have this opportunity. 

Currently, 18 graduates have received scholarships to attend university. Smith Samah is one of those graduates and the first ever to earn a master’s degree. He graduated in July 2023 with his master’s degree in mechanical engineering. 

Educating the 1,300+ students are the 75 devoted educators and support staff of Hope International. This number has grown over the years to meet the needs of the growing student body and has provided stable employment for our valued Liberian partners. 

Without their dedication and hard work, the students would not be able to stretch and dream for the futures they are creating. 

51 for 5,000,000

Dear Friends of Hope,

According to the World Health Organization there are 51 doctors for Liberia’s population of over 5,000,000(less than 0.1 per 1,000 people). 

In the beginning years of Hope International, a medical clinic was added to serve the students, staff and surrounding community members.  

Sonnie, our school nurse, treats everything from colds to malaria. On average she has 175 visits a month to the small clinic. Her monthly salary is provided by a Hope Project partner who is herself a nurse.

This medical clinic provides medical care to those that would otherwise have no access to these services. 

Currently, we have 6 Hope International graduates working towards their nursing degrees at United Methodist University in Liberia, something that didn’t seem possible 15 years ago.