73 Legislators, 15 Senators and 1 President

Hope International will be closed today for Liberia's national election, but will still be bustling with people as the campus serves as a voting station for the community.

The country's current president, George Weah, has declared election day a national holiday. Liberians will head to the polls to elect 73 legislators, 15 senators and a president. This is the first national election without the support of international partners, including the United Nations and the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). 

Community members casting their votes at Hope International

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Hope International continues to serve the local community by sharing the space and buildings as needed.

Thank you for your part in building the campus and making this community hub possible! 

Representing Liberia in Palo Alto

We don't talk much about our stateside staff (Jackie and Andrea). You may have received emails, cards or chatted on the phone with them, but they are responsible (along with our stateside board) for holding the organization together on this side of the ocean, ensuring that ALL the amazing things happening on the other side of the ocean are supported.

This past weekend they were invited by Project Redwood to travel to their Annual Conference in Palo Alto, California, where Jackie was a member of a three-person panel of grantees. 

Project Redwood is an organization of Stanford Business School graduates who have come together to work collectively in supporting organizations that work towards alleviating global poverty.

Jackie and Andrea were welcomed warmly and we are so grateful for this multi-year partnership. Through the grants awarded by Project Redwood, our three vocational programs were established. This has been a BIG deal for our school and for the community. This December, 240 students will be graduating from these programs.

Thank you to Project Redwood for supporting Hope and making beautiful things happen!

The Intermingling of Joy, Celebration and Sorrow

On Saturday, September 30th, 145 Hope International seniors joyously gathered together with their families, friends and staff for the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2023. 

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One of the graduating seniors to receive her diploma, 58-year old Mary Tenteh and the oldest graduate of Hope International to-date.

Mary, mother of 7 and grandmother of 8, enrolled in Hope International’s night school program in 2015. Though she faced many challenges along the way, Saturday she finished her goal.  Mary said she has “too much pride” to have quit along the way. Mary’s grit and determination shows all that is possible with hope!

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You may have read about Jeanetta last week when we introduced her to you.  Jeanetta is one of Hope International’s legacy students, a student who has been at Hope International since kindergarten.  We received word on Saturday morning that on the eve of graduation, Jeanetta and her younger sister were struck by a car.  They remain in the hospital but are stable. Principal Mark Howe visited her on Saturday and Sunday to deliver her diploma and comfort the family.
 
Medical care in Liberia is not affordable for most.  A hospital bill is an impossible cost.  Jeanetta’s family received their first bill for $350 that night.  We will be helping with this unexpected cost.  If you would like to join us in support, we would be grateful. 

Together in Both Celebration and Sorrow!