The Hope Project

Vocational Training, Opportunity

Location: Liberia

Sponsor: Joe Hamby

The Hope Project Website

Project Redwood members mourn the loss of Elizabeth Gage. Elizabeth was a founding member of Project Redwood and the sponsor of The Hope Project for many years.  Please read about her involvement here.

The Hope Project: Grantee in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022-23 

The Hope Project partners with the people of Liberia to provide educational opportunities and community development through our school, Hope International and its evolving programs. The school, located in Gardnersville, Liberia, first opened its doors in 2008 and currently:

  • Nearly 1,200, pre-K through 12th grade, students are receiving tuition-free education.
  • Over 100 adults are pursuing an education through night school.
  • 70+ Liberian teachers, administrators, and support staff are employed.
  • The on-site nurse is providing medical care to students, their families, and local community members.
  • A well is supplying water for the surrounding community.
  • Fully-equipped computer and science labs provide hands-on opportunities for students.

In 2019, Hope International began its first, on-site vocational training, Sew Much Hope, in sewing/tailoring. Obtaining a vocational certification in sewing/tailoring, will allow graduates to move out of poverty with a marketable skill and the opportunity to be self-supporting. In 2020, Hope International added a second on-site, one-year vocational certification program, Cooking Up Hope, for students and community members to be trained in traditional and modern cooking methods, baking and cake decoration, catering, and food service in the hospitality industry. The third, on-site vocational program, Power of Hope, began in 2022 and offer students and community members the opportunity to become certified electrical technicians. In 2022-23, Hope is repeating the successful Sew Much Hope and Cooking Up Hope programs to create marketable skills in additional students and community members.

For more information click here.

GRANT SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

2019:  Through the $25,000 grant, Hope International was able to begin their first, on-site vocational training program, Sew Much Hope. The funds provided classroom setup of 60 sewing machines and supplies and direct instruction in sewing techniques for 200 students and community members per year.  In addition, funds provided selected students the opportunity to apply for a micro-loan to purchase a foot-powered sewing machine to begin their own business.  Repayment of the micro-loans will enable students in future classes to apply for the same opportunity.  For those not applying for a micro-loan, support will be provided in pursuing employment.

2020:  Through the $30,000 grant, Hope International was able to begin a second, on-site vocational training program, Cooking Up Hope. Grant funds made it possible to hire instructors, equip kitchens with both electric and traditional ovens, and provide instruction in cooking methods, cake decoration, catering, and foodservice. Graduates have access to the school kitchen to utilize for food preparation for their small businesses.

2021:  Through the $30,000 grant, Hope International began a third, on-site vocational training program, Power of Hope, in 2022. The awarded funds will provide instruction, training equipment, classroom facilities, and field internships in an electrical technician vocational program for 100 students.  In a country where only 12% of the population has electrical access, the government has set a goal of increasing electrical access to 35% by 2030, providing income-generating opportunities for certified electrical technicians.

2022-23:  The $30,000 grant will operate both the Sew Much Hope and Cooking Up Hope programs for one academic year.  This provides vocational opportunities to 400 people (mostly women), about half of whom are typically high school students and the other half from the community.  The project would also provide $200 grants to 29 of the graduates to start up small businesses. In addition, a grant of $2,883 in unrestricted funding has been awarded to support this mission.

IMPACT

Students of Hope International and local community members will have the opportunity to graduate with a vocational certification. The marketable skills gained through these programs will increase their employability and potential earnings, leading to poverty alleviation.