| | Greetings Family and Friends, | |
As we approach the end of another incredible year, our hearts are filled with gratitude for your unwavering support!
Thanks to your generosity, we’ve witnessed more families experience the joy of adoption. This year, we increased our adoption grants from three to five, which has opened new doors for families and children alike. We continue to support the vital operations of Village of Hope (VOH) Babies' Home and help address the pressing issue of period poverty in Ghana through meaningful partnerships.
The love and care provided at VOH have made a remarkable difference, with abandoned babies now vibrant toddlers ready to embrace their futures. In this Winter edition, let’s celebrate the incredible milestones of these toddlers as they step into preschool! We’re also excited to share heartwarming stories from the Johnson and Barnes families, two of our grant recipients, who will inspire you with their adoption journeys. Don’t miss the stories and pictures from our teachers and students during the menstrual cup distribution and health hygiene education held as part of celebrations marking, International Day of the Girl Child, October 11, 2025
As we embrace this Winter Edition, let it serve as a reminder of how God transformed the world by sending a vulnerable baby, who grew to change lives forever. Together, let's continue this mission of love and support
Merry Christmas,
Alfred, Virginia, and Sophia Essandoh
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OUR MISSION
To encourage and support Black families in pursuing private adoption in the United States and financially support nonprofit organizations that serve orphaned, needy, and abandoned children in the Republic of Ghana
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Village of Hope (VOH) Babies' Home, Gomoa Fetteh, Ghana
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LITTLE STEPS FOR CHILDREN, and GIANT LEAPS FOR HUMANITY
submitted by Fred Asare, Managing Director of VOH
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They were abandoned by their own biological mothers. They were the fortunate ones who survived. Others died. When they were found, the police were informed but efforts to trace their families proved futile. Officials of the Department of Social Welfare came in, but they had no help to offer so they called Village of Hope. Within minutes, a driver, a nurse, a social worker and a caregiver were on the road to rescue that precious baby. Time is of the essence because often the baby would have been abandoned for a while before being discovered. It is therefore imperative that the rescue team from Village of Hope picks up the baby and gets the baby to Hope Christian Hospital within the shortest possible time so that any medical intervention needed is provided to save the baby’s life. Once the baby is stable, s/he is moved to one of the two babies’ homes where s/he receives loving care until s/he is adopted by a family. If a child is not adopted by the age of three, s/he is moved to one of the seven VOH children’s homes where s/he grows up as part of a loving family. These little babies are nurtured into adulthood; to become the best God created them to be. From the age of two years old, they begin preschool. From very small and humble beginnings, they would grow up to serve humanity and make the world a better place for all. That is why Village of Hope exists – to save lives and to serve humanity
| | | Funding Period Poverty in Ghana | | In partnership with Inspire Today, and CouldYou?, The Elpis Children’s Foundation donated 300 menstrual cups to school girls at Gbawe Education District (GED) in Accra, Ghana on International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, 2025. Each menstrual cup can be used by girls for over 10 years, a game changer in keeping girls in school. Below are video's from teachers and a student discussing the days activities and pictures of students and teachers. | | Video above is a teacher at GED sharing why she wants to use the cup and pictured below is Etornam Sey, Founder of Inspire Today providing personal hygiene education and usage of the menstrual cups | | |
Video above shows the Girl Child Coordinator for GED discussing the days events and pictured below is a section of school girls displaying their menstrual cups
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Video above is a student recipient of a menstrual cup at GED sharing what she learned and below is a section of school girls displaying their menstrual cups
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Meet the Johnson Family
an Elpis Children's Foundation adoption grant recipient
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1. Why did you decide to consider adoption as a means to growing your family?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt a deep pull toward motherhood. It started when I was a little girl, watching shows where children didn’t have families. I couldn’t understand how anyone could be alone in the world without someone to love and care for them. That thought stuck with me.
As I grew older, that early empathy turned into something more personal. Babysitting, caring for my nieces and nephews, volunteering at our local community center and hospital deepened my longing. I realized that it wasn’t just a dream anymore; by my mid-twenties, the desire to become a mother whether through birth or adoption became very real.
In my thirties, that longing became the most important thing in my life. It wasn’t about how I became a mom, just that I knew in my heart I was meant to be one. Adoption felt like the path I was always meant to take. So, I got serious about the process. And almost three years after beginning the journey, I was finally matched with my daughter.
Becoming her mom is the greatest joy of my life, and the journey, though long, was absolutely worth it.
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2. Please describe how you felt when you brought your child home?
Our story is a little different.
Her birth mother knew from early on that she wanted minimal contact, and I fully respected that. My only focus was getting there to hold my daughter as soon as I could.
Her due date was September 5th, but something in my spirit stirred on the morning of September 3rd. I knew I needed to get on a plane first thing the next day. While I was sitting at my layover, my phone started buzzing like crazy- she was in labor.
I landed just 20 minutes after my daughter was born. And from that moment on, we’ve been together ever since.
This has been the most comfortable, peaceful, purposeful, and yes, tiring time of my life. But I feel incredibly blessed. I love her so deeply, even during the crying fits, the sleepless nights, the moments of uncertainty. I know this phase is fleeting, and I won’t get it back, so I try to stay present. She makes me pause and truly live in the moment.
One night, she had a stomach ache and was just looking up at me with so much discomfort in her eyes. It hurt to see her hurting. And in that moment, I thought, is this how much God loves us? Does our pain affect Him this deeply too?
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I didn’t expect this part, how much being her mom would deepen my understanding of Christ-like love.
Sometimes I just stare at her, completely overwhelmed with emotion. I know without a doubt, this baby was chosen for me.
3.How helpful was receiving a grant from The Elpis Children’s foundation to your adoption process?
I want to sincerely thank you for the financial assistance. It has been incredibly helpful during this journey. But more than anything, what truly stood out to me was the opportunity to connect with a Black adoptive couple. That experience was priceless.
Being able to talk with them openly about the mental and emotional aspects of adoption, especially the importance of therapy, was deeply impactful. It helped me feel seen, supported, and understood in a way I didn’t even know I needed.
I’m so grateful for the work your foundation is doing. Not just through the grant, but through the example you set. That example is what has stayed with me most. It’s the reason I’ve kept your email close.
These last few weeks, I’ve been learning my baby, getting to know her rhythms, her spirit, and the beautiful bond we’re forming. But I want you to know I fully intend to reach out in the future and continue the conversation. Your presence in this journey has already meant so much.
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We awarded 5 (five) adoption grants for the 2025 grant cycle!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT and THANK YOU TO OUR ADOPTION GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE
You can help us award more adoption grants be donating below:
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Meet the Barnes Family
an Elpis Children's Foundation adoption grant recipient
| | Pictured below is baby Ashton | |
2026 Adoption Grant Cycle will open in June. | | | | The Elpis Children’s Foundation’s amazing community truly embodies the spirit of spreading joy and hope. Let’s keep this positive momentum going—together. Your donations help us in transforming lives just like the Barnes and the Johnson familes. Thank you for your unwavering support. The need is great but there is hope. 100% of your donations go directly to support families and children. | | | | |
