The Home of Hope

The Home of Hope (HOH) is an orphanage in Guinea founded in 2015 by Sam Johnson.

It provides a loving environment to help children, who were living the life Sam once endured as a refugee prior to his resettlement to the United States in 2007. These children would otherwise be on their own for food, shelter, clothing, and safety with no access to education nor hope for a future. Sam returned to Guinea after graduating from Mercer to change that and give these children the hope and help they would otherwise never receive. Sam worked with Guinean officials to enroll the kids in the local school which was not previously allowed because of their lack of citizenship.

The 16 children presently living in the The Home of Hope now have a true home and see a future for themselves. “We are providing the kind of support, encouragement and chance for education I received when I came to the States”, says Sam. “The children are well fed, live in a secure, safe environment and are going to school. Some are even learning a trade for the future.” Under the guidance of Sam and his staff, the children are practicing the virtues of respect, sharing, personal responsibility, as well as faith and prayer. They take pride in themselves and their Home while also giving back to the community through service opportunities each month.

Situated on nearly an acre of land in Nzérékoré, a town close to the former refugee camp, The Home of Hope compound includes a boys’ and girls’ dormitory, kitchen facilities, a new fresh water well, a playground, and living quarters for the house mother and staff. Additional staff members include a resident director, security guards and a bus driver.

Significant renovations to the original property were required to bring the home up to code. These included boring a new well to provide fresh water, a complete rewiring of the electric system, fortifying and raising the height of the perimeter wall, fortifying and repairing the front gate, erecting a new roof on the house and providing new beds and furniture.

In March 2017, additional rooms were constructed to provide more space for the staff and future orphans who will live at The Home of Hope. During the summer of 2021, a new well was bored and plumbing added to provide water to the bathrooms. This well and two new water tanks are providing much needed clean water to the surrounding community.