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PROJECT UPDATES
The School
The school at Cyimbili is home to over 1,400 students. Currently the high school has 525 students that live at the plantation with limited facilities.

The Economy
The plantation has just completed Phase 1 of the restoration program. The land has been terraced, nearly 69,000 new plantings, and most important a new coffee washing station has been completed.

The Community
With the work that has been made available the community has begun to be restored. The Cyimbili  Women's Organization has formed along with other inner workings of a viable and productive community.

The Church
As part of the community the church provides stability to a community and a place for fellowship and personal restoration. 

Who We Are


The leaders and staff of Hope for a Thousand Hills are made up of dedicated volunteers from all walks of life.
The Board of directors are:

Marita Dowell -  Retired

Marita has spent a life in education and working to bring all children to be their best. She continues to lead in the education work for the Cyimbili schools and the women’s organizations.
  • 15 years of teaching in the Kinnelon Public Schools, NJ : Special Education, Elementary Education
  • 15 years of  Administration:     
  • Principal of Primary and Intermediate Schools,
  • VP of the Middle School,
  • Gifted and Talent District Coordinator
  • Educational Administration Consultant to New Jersey School Districts
  • Presenter/Speaker at New Jersey Education Association Conventions
  • Bachelors of Education Degree
  • Masters of Education Degree
  • Masters of Educational Administration Degree

Anthony A. Longo - CPA

Anthony’s strong financial background brings professionalism to the financing and accounting of the Hope for a Thousand Hills organization. Anthony has been on the ground in Rwanda setting up the financial accountability for the partnerships and the projects.
  • Public Accounting – 8 years experience
  • Currently -- Mizzone & Associates
  • Previous -- J.H. Cohn & Company
  • Private Industry – 20 years experience
  • Wholesale food industry – Lisanti Foods, Inc. -  As CFO/Controller
  • $210 million in revenue and three warehouses facilities in east, central & west U.S.
  • Paper & fragrance manufacturing industry – fortune 200–
  • Union Camp Corporation- paper --  Internal auditor

William A. Francis - Retired

Bill serves the overall Hope Corporate organizational structure along with managing logistics and project management. He has been on the ground in Rwanda working with the partners, government agencies, and various local groups.
  • Lucent Technologies in 1999 Manager wireless telephones
  • 32 year career working with Bell Labs, Western Electric and AT&T telephone industry
  • Since 1999,  engaged with several nonprofit organizations providing guidance and leadership in areas of fund raising, program development and physical expansion. Organizations include:
  • Drug and substance facility in Paterson, NJ
  • Boys camp in the Adirondack Mountains
  • International medical team to third world countries and Hope for a Thousand Hills.

Jamie Longo

Jamie provides the creative outreach for Hope for a Thousand Hills.
  • Director of Care for Jacksonville Chapel 
  • Member of Sweet Rain Christian Music Group
  • Prior --Counselor for Metropolitan Youth for Christ International
  • Assessment Specialist- Fair Oaks Hospital, one of the largest psychiatric/drug rehabilitation centers 
  • Education Associates Degree in Biblical Counseling & Psychology

Tim Ford

Tim provides operational and business management for Hope for a thousand Hills. He has been on the group in Rwanda working to build the plantation management team, construction design, and phased restoration planning.
  • CEO – Sherpa Pet Group, LLC
  • Former SR Director Marketing - Hartz Mountain Co.
  • Former President - DLBS, Inc.
  • Former President & CEO – Steven Manufacturing
  • Former VP & General Manager – Daisy Manufacturing Co.