The Hope for Life Project was founded by Fr. Jean Thebault, S.M.A. in 1986 in Accra, Ghana. It began when he saw the plight of people who had disabilities, often neglected and left to eke out an existence as best they could. Fr. Jean wanted them to know their value and dignity as Children of God and discover their own gifts and abilities. The motto for Hope for Life is Disability is not inability!

S.M.A. Lay Missionaries from the U.S. have served in the Hope for Life Project since 1996 when Fr. Jean asked for S.M.A. Lay Missionaries to work with the Hope for Life members as he needed to return to France for medical care. Presently, Sean Hogan, S.M.A. Lay Missionary, has been serving in the Hope for Life Project since March 2006. Sean is the 9th S.M.A. Lay Missionary from the U.S. to minister in this project. One Dutch S.M.A. Lay Missionary has replaced another, joining Sean in this important ministry. Sean writes the following account of today’s changes and challenges for the Hope for Life Project. A local Administrative Coordinator has been on board for a year now, as well as the new Hope for Life President elected in January, a social worker, and the S.M.A. Lay Missionaries, which gives you the new HFL Leadership Team. Meanwhile, the membership’s ranks have swelled to 400 members, putting an added strain on limited resources, much of which have been taken up by repairs to the van and signing members up for the National Health Insurance.

Fundraising efforts have been slow which makes it very difficult to run Bethany House. (Bethany House offers hospitality and respite to the members—a place of welcome with good meals, prayer, fellowship and a place to rest and recover postoperatively.)

But hope springs eternal! There is a good spirit among the staff and members. We are encouraging HFL members to be proactive in controlling their Association. There are plans to expand the Bakery and rebuild the Fashion Enterprise. Hope for Life has been blessed with the support of Liliane Funds, S.M.A. donations, and other benefactors. With God’s help, the dedication of the Board, staff and HFL members, and greater financial backing, Hope for Life will achieve its goal: A self-sustaining organization of the HFL members for the HFL members. Thank you for your prayers and support. Thanking God for Life!