Our Story
2008
The Flower of Hope School was founded by Emmanuel Bastia and Theard Elficasse; students meet outside.
2009
Shelter created with a banana leaf roof and dirt floor.
2010-2011 School Year
Flower of Hope Outreach (FOHO) founded as 501c3 organization
Sponsorship program begins: 20 students and 5 teachers
Enrollment: 76 students (Pre-K – Grade 4); By January 2011, enrollment had increased to 196 students
First construction project: Unfinished cement building with four classrooms (built in partnership with independent donors)
Outdoor kitchen is constructed
Food program begins; food provided by World Food Programme; three local women hired to cook
Outdoor latrine project starts
Medical Memorial fund established in memory of a student who passed away due to a preventable disease
2011-2012 School Year
Sponsorship program increases to 40 students and 5 teachers
Enrollment: 200+ students (Pre-K – 4th Grade)
Hand pump and well installed on campus in partnership with a local well-digging company
First cement building is completed with steps, doors, etc.
Well-maintenance fund established
2012-2013 School Year
Sponsorship Program: 40 students, 6 teachers, 1 director, 3 cooks, 1 groundskeeper
Enrollment: 300 students (Pre-K – 5th Grade)
Elizabeth Valet hired as Director of the school
5th grade added
Began scholarship program for teachers to complete their high school education
World Food Programme discontinues food program at the school; food program is taken up by Flower of Hope Outreach
Project to improve the road to the school is started with the help of community members
A new home is constructed for local family whose house was destroyed by a fire
Summer 2013
The first two-month summer vocational program is held, providing sewing machines in addition to instruction in sewing, embroidery, ceramics, and clay jewelry-making to students and community members
2013-2014 School Year
Sponsorship Program: 40 students, 7 teachers, 1 director, 3 cooks, 1 groundskeeper
Enrollment: 279 students (Pre-K – 6th Grade)
6th grade class added
Second cement building replaces wood building (in partnership with the University of Nebraska)
Road improvements completed
Hand pump is modified to run on solar panels and fill a cistern that is accessible to the community
100% of 6th graders pass their final exams
2014-2015 School Year
Sponsorship Program: 40 primary students; 5 - 7th graders (attending Pandaissou Vocational School), 10 teachers/aides, 1 director, 3 cooks, 1 groundskeeper
Enrollment: 315 (Pre-K – 6th Grade)
Summer 2015
5 new stall latrine pit toilets are approved by FOHO board
A shorter summer program is funded that includes hand crafts, embroidery, and sewing.
2015-2016 School Year
Sponsorship Program: 40 Primary Students, 3 - 7th graders (attending Flower of Hope), 3 - 8th graders (attending Pandaissou Vocational School), 10 teachers, 3 cooks, 1 groundskeeper
Enrollment: 493 (Pre-K – 7th Grade)
A group from Bainbridge Island in Washington State commits to support the establishment and the maintenance of 7th grade.
First floor of 3rd cement building completed and will house preschool and 7th grade
FOHO renews commitment to Pre-K through 6th grade
Summer 2016
Full 2-month summer program is held that includes hand crafts, embroidery, and sewing instruction
2016-2017 School Year
Sponsorship Program: 42 Primary Students; 5 7th/8th graders (attending Flower of Hope); 3 9th graders (attending Pandaissou vocational school); 10 teachers, 1 director, 3 cooks, 1 groundskeeper
Enrollment: 513 students (Pre-K – 8th Grade)
New kitchen built with funds from a legacy gift
The group from Bainbridge Island in Washington State commits to support the establishment and the maintenance of 8th grade in addition to 7th grade
FOHO works with Karis Project to explore replacing school well which had become non-functional.
Construction on 2nd story of 3rd cement building begins
2017-2018 School Year
9th grade is added. The group from Bainbridge continues to support grades 7-9 (salaries, taxes, food).
Sponsorship Program: 50 students (Pre-K - 9th); 1 director, 11 teachers, 3 cooks, 2 groundskeepers
Construction complete on 2 story building
New home constructed for mother of sponsored studen
Food distributed to community members at Christmas
Church services begun on the school campus
Summer program: embroidery and tailoring
2018-2019 School Year
Sponsorship Program: 50 students (Pre-K - 9th); 1 in -country coordinator (Theard Elficasse), 1 director, 11 teachers, 3 cooks, 2 groundskeepers, 1 bathroom monitor
Playground construction begun. Martins Creek Mennonite Church Vacation Bible School donates $1402.51 toward the project.
Medical clinic established and nurse hired for the school and local community
2019-2020 School Year
Sponsorship Program: 50 students (Pre-K - 9th); 1 in-country coordinator (Theard Elficasse), 1 director, 11 teachers, 4 cooks, 2 groundskeepers, 1 bathroom monitor, 1 nurse
Scholarship fund was established to support graduates from FOH school to attend technical school or university. This year we are assisting 16 students in grades 10-13.
Campus updates: Playground, front gate, road improvements
New home built for a family that lost their house in a fire
School was shut down in the spring due to the Covid pandemic. We continued to provide food as able and supplies for handwashing.
2020-2021 School Year
Sponsorship Program: 50 students (Pre-K - 9th); 1 in -country coordinator (Theard Elficasse), 1 director, 11 teachers, 4 cooks, 2 groundskeepers, 1 bathroom monitor, 1 nurse
Scholarship Fund: assisting 17 students in grades 10-13
Enrollment: approx. 350 (Pre-K - 9th)
FOHO celebrates 10 years as a non-profit organization
Tree planting project, May 2021
Summer program: small engine, refrigerator, and cell phone repair - 50 participants
2021-2022 School Year:
Sponsorship Program: 50 students (Pre-K - 9th); 1 in-country coordinator (Theard Elficasse), 1 director, 11 teachers, 4 cooks, 2 groundskeepers, 1 bathroom monitor, 1 nurse
Scholarship Fund: assisting 12 students in grades 10-13
Primary School director Elizabeth Valere completed university training and received a diploma in educational science.
Enrollment: 300-350 (Pre-K - 9th)
2022-2023 School Year:
Political unrest, increased violence, and high inflation make a difficult start to the year. Daily attendance is down to around 100 but increases to more normal levels by spring.
Sponsorship Program: 50 students (Pre-K - 9th); 1 in -country coordinator (Theard Elficasse), 1 director, 11 teachers, 4 cooks, 2 groundskeepers, 1 bathroom monitor, 1 nurse
Scholarship Fund: assisting 10 students in grades 10-13