The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

Tanner and his family connecting with Smith and making a way for him to complete his master's degree is a hope-filled story. The generous nature of Tanner can be traced beautifully to his mother Karin.

Karin, an ICU nurse serving in Anchorage, Alaska, raised Tanner (and all of her kiddos) with eyes that see opportunity for generosity. So when she heard that Hope International was in need of a school nurse to support the students and staff on-site, Karin stepped in to make it possible. She shares her generosity each month to pay Hope International's school nurse, Sonnie's salary.

Liberia's health care system has struggled to rebuild post civil war and the devastating Ebola crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2021 that Liberia has one doctor for every 20,000 people, far below WHO's recommended 1:1,000 doctor to patient ratio. 

If you want to go down a research rabbit hole, access to health care professionals in Liberia is a good one, but nonetheless what is for sure certain is that there are too few doctors and nurses AND barriers to access are significant. This is why the fact that we have a trained nurse on-site is so vital for Hope's students, staff and local community members. 

We asked Karin why she chooses to give in this way...

What else is certain? That Hope International continues to remove barriers to health care because of people like Karin, Tanner and You. 

Peers Through The Years

Friends of Hope, Claire and Tanner Evans with their son

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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

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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