First, we work with the local people to find children with the greatest need. These children are orphaned or abandoned. Local churches bring us children who have no known relatives. Most often, the mothers have died in child birth and the father is either unknown or has abandoned the child. Other family members try to raise the child but often find they are unable to manage financially. 
We take the child’s case to the Ministry of Social Welfare where the family background is investigated. We then obtain court documents giving us guardianship of the child and we bring them to our Village of Hope on the outskirts of Freetown.
These children then have these things provided for them: Food, clothing, medicine, education, and all their practical needs. The goal is to provide them with a warm, loving home and family so that they become well educated, well adjusted young adults who can further their education and eventually become an asset to their own country by using their skills and training to bring better living conditions for their own people. We know that not all the children will return to help their country but DOVE's goal is to give each of them a chance at life that they would not have had otherwise.
DOVE has a children's village near the village of Regent on the outskirts of Freetown. We currently have one home with 20 children and run a private school for these children. The home has both full time and part time Sierra Leone and Canadian staff. Two hundred miles upcountry we also care for 44 children who remain in foster homes. The most needy of these children will be transferred to our Village of Hope as facilities are constructed and space allows.
Our Village of Hope is flourishing with its pineapple and banana plantation being harvested as well as our many gardens with vegetables grown to help the home become self-sustaining. Also eventually to be harvested are hundreds of avocado, cashews and mango trees.
Imagine a single child whose life has been saved. He or she is educated, connected to their community and grows up strong. That person can then have a positive influence on a community, along with others who have received practical education. They can transform a community, making it strong. A strong community with strong families can have a powerful influence on the country!
In the two years that the children have lived in our Village of Hope, we have seen a tremendous increase in the prosperity of the surrounding villages. Projects renovating local schools have taken place because of contacts that DOVE has made. Local markets have prospered because of food and supplies needed by DOVE. DOVE tries to employ local staff as often as possible. As the children grow, we see the community grow with us.
Can you help us make a difference in the life of one child? You just may change the future of a nation!
"My name is Foday Conteh. I am so happy because of DOVE I am happy for the teaching and programs we are
having here on Saturdays. We, the people of Sierra Leone have suffered because of the war
so we need help from people in your country."