Harry’s Dream

Harry Gorwor has been an educator and pastor in Liberia for many years and it has been his dream to reach children in rural areas who have no access to education. It was Harry’s own impoverished background that motivated him to help the neediest of children to obtain an education. Harry grew up in the jungle (His dad was the village chief) and he didn’t get his first pair of shoes or learn to read until he was 9 years old. Yet, through perseverance and by God’s grace, he went on to complete his master’s degree and has worked as a pastor, principal, and teacher at several different Christian schools in the country.

In July 2016, Harry was given access to 2 acres of property located in the bush near Kakata Liberia.  This would be the beginning of Harry’s lifelong dream to provide a Christian education to children who had no hope of finding a way out of poverty.

In November 2016, a donor came forward and Immanuel CRC of Hudsonville, Michigan agreed to set up an account that would be used to channel donations to help fund the school.  It was determined that the clearing of the land and the initial building would cost $50,000.  The property was cleared and dedicated on March 18, 2017.  In August 2017, the organization CEL (Christian Education in Liberia) was formed and took over funding for Gifts of Hope School

After many months of hard work, fundraising and dedication, Gifts of Hope school was able to open its doors on September 8, 2018.  With 9 teachers and 136 children ages 5-12 who had never had the opportunity to attend school, Harry’s dream became a reality.

In 2022, three acres of adjacent land became available and was purchased. The land was cleared and the junior high building was built. This allowed GOH to expand through the 9th grade.  Harry’s dream is to add a new grade level every year in order to continue providing the opportunity for children to learn.

Currently, in the 2024/2025 school year, Gifts of Hope school has 306 students, grades pre-k-9th and 36 staff members.