About Us - Door of Hope

How it all began

In 1999, in response to the growing number of abandoned babies in Johannesburg, a stainless-steel Baby Saver Box was built into the wall of the Berea Baptist Mission Church. This was the beginning of Door of Hope.

The box was designed to be accessible from the outside, allowing a mother in crisis to place her baby safely inside. As soon as the baby was placed inside the box, sensors triggered an alarm, and someone from Door of Hope would immediately come to collect the child. This gave desperate mothers a safe, anonymous alternative to unsafe abandonment and, most importantly, gave their babies a chance to live.

Since then, many babies have been reached through this box, and it continues to be a symbol of hope and life for the most vulnerable among us.

Our impact over the years

Years of service

1935

Babies helped

Babies in our care

297

Babies through the Baby Boxes

378

Re-unified with family

898

Adoptions

Our logo explained

Our logo

Our logo is a combination of three symbols, two African symbols for Hope and Love, and the creation of our own symbol for Faith, thus representing the core virtues of following Jesus.

Jesus is King.

We follow Jesus Christ, believing that His life, death and resurrection show him to be the King of all creation, and we believe that it is through faith in the King that children can be saved and find their purpose.

By God’s Grace all will be well.

Too many babies are born without hope, people have given up on them, the world is a dark place for them, they appear to be hopeless. But God sees them, and God wants to give them a hope and a future.

Love never fails.

The greatest power in this world is love, because God is love. Jesus showed us this love by dying on the cross so that we may have life. We strive to love the children in our care with this same kind of sacrificial love.

Voices of hope

Transforming lives, one child at a time

“Over the past 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of welcoming over 60 Door of Hope children into my Toptots classes. The dedication of the staff and volunteers is truly inspiring—they not only ensure the children’s safety but also support their development with genuine care. It’s an honour to work alongside such passionate people.”

Yvette Searle

Toptots

“Without Door of Hope, many abandoned babies would be at risk of dying in Johannesburg. Instead they are cared for, loved and supported on their journey towards finding a forever family.”

Dee Blackie

Child Protection Activist

“What makes Door of Hope so special is that it is a place where precious little lives find love, acceptance and comfort. The angels at Door of Hope name and nurture every child, and above all, fight for each one to have a future, and a hope.”

Robyn Wolfson Vorster

Child Protection Activist

“You are a beacon of hope to children not yet knowing that they are lost and a blessing to families knowing that there is a little angel somewhere meant for them to find and love with all of their hearts.”

Adele Chmurkowski

Kaenguru Foundation

“It has been my pleasure to do the medical assessments of babies and toddlers at door of hope for more than 10 years. I find the standard of care and love for each baby very high. Each child is treated as an individual and staff show a high level of insight into their problems and needs. I am impressed by the ongoing assessment and improvement of programs and routines.”

Dr. Janet Lumb

Paediatrician

Get involved

Together, we can change more lives. For many years, we have obeyed Jesus, answering His call to care for thousands of orphaned and vulnerable children. The challenges are massive, but we are encouraged by each precious child whose life has been changed for good. With the work of our committed team and the support of generous supporters, we hope to impact many more lives, making our world a better place.

SEE HOW TO HELP