Hello! My name is Harry Gorwor. I am the headmaster (principal) of Gifts of Hope Community School outside of Kakata Liberia. This is a new school supported through a non-profit group called Christian Education in Liberia. I have decided to write this blog to keep you up to date on what is happening at Gifts of Hope. This first entry will provide a brief history and what is currently happening at GOH.

In 2018, we were all blessed with the opening of Gifts of Hope Community School. Children, who would never have the opportunity to go to school, were able to get an education as well as learn about Jesus. Our first building has an office and classrooms to serve Kindergarten through Third grade. At that time we were unable to purchase windows. We found we would desperately need them during the rainy season. Yet we were able to serve over 150 children in our first year, offering hope where there seemed to be no hope.

The 2018 -2019 school year came, and we had to crowd a fourth grade class into the K – 3rd building. We praised the Lord for growth, but needed more classroom space. Praise God, a donor gifted Gifts of Hope School enough money to build a separate building that would be large enough to temporarily serve as a fifth grade classroom. Our hopes are that we will be blessed with enough funds to build an additional structure to house the 4th through 6th grade students. If we are able to build the 4th through 6th structure, the temporary classroom will become our school library!

Also in 2019, a group of people donated money to build a small medical clinic and purchase playground equipment for the students. Unfortunately, our school nurse became ill and passed away. The staff and children were mourning the loss of their beloved nurse when the playground equipment arrived. The Lord found a way to turn the children’s sadness into happiness.

Things were going quite well at school when Covid-19 invaded the world in early 2020. Like in other countries, schools in Liberia were forced to close in March. Students lost three months of learning. In August of this year Liberia reopened schools, starting with the 12th grade and working down. We provided materials and ideas for our students to be working on to help prepare them for the 2020 -2021 school year. At the end of September, Children came in to take their exams to see how well they mastered the material they were learning for the 2019 – 2020 school year. Normally we would begin our school year in September but now the 2020 – 2021 school year will begin in December and end in August. We plan to build our 4th through 6th grade building in 2021, Lord willing. Please pray for us as we go through these transitions.

“Praise the Lord!” We were able to purchase and install windows for our buildings in early October. No longer will we have to worry about children and materials getting wet during the rainy season. We were twice blessed as we were also able to purchase three acres of land nearby that will serve as our future junior high and senior high campus. It is amazing to see how God blesses and leads us. We pray that He will be glorified in the work that is being done at Gifts of Hope Community School.

I want to thank all the people who have stood behind us in the education of the children of Liberia. I thank you for your prayers and the gifts of money that have brought Gifts of Hope this far. I covet your prayers and support as we go forward.

Serving Him together,

Harry Gorwor