About Us

A group of adults and children seated in a church or hall, some are sitting with eyes closed, others are looking forward or using mobile devices. The room has dark wooden pews, holiday decorations, and a few gifts or packages on the seats.

How Hope Began

The Home began because the Christians at the Enmore Church of Christ in Guyana saw the urgent need to help the growing number of abused, neglected, and orphaned children in their Country. Their desire to help led them to act on their faith. They began caring for a few children which led to a dream of opening a home that would provide Hope for children whose lives seemed hopeless. They began asking Churches of Christ in the US for assistance to build a home and support this growing ministry. With support from Churches of Christ in the US, they expanded the existing Enmore Church of Christ building to create the Hope Children’s Home.

A woman and a young girl dressed in red, sitting indoors surrounded by green plants, with a festive holiday hat on the woman's head.

Why This Work Matters

Some of the children are severely abused and/or molested; others are left alone for days with no one to care for them. Some of the children are abandoned at birth, while others are abandoned by parents who have migrated to other countries seeking a better life. While other children are orphaned as a result of their parents’ death. Many of these children have physical and/or mental disabilities. All these children experience trauma from their difficult past.

A group of children and adults at a medical vaccine clinic inside a room with purple walls. One child is sitting while a nurse administers a shot, and several children are waiting in line or sitting in the background.

How We Care For Children

The Hope Children’s Home cares for children ranging from a few weeks old to 18 years old. The children are fed, clothed, and given a clean, caring, and safe environment. Every effort is made to reunite children with relatives and/or to place those who reach 18 years of age in a suitable location.

Children and adults sitting at wooden tables in a colorful room, eating and engaging in activities, with a school or daycare setting.

Mission

Hope is dedicated to caring for the whole child - mind, character, and spirit - within a nurturing Christian environment. Through the loving example of Christian staff and volunteers, children experience God’s love and the hope found in Him. We intentionally develop each child’s unique abilities, instill ethical values such as respect, responsibility, and kindness, and teach personal accountability and wise choices. By grounding children in faith and strong character, we prepare them for personal stability, meaningful relationships, and a hopeful future.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Hope Children’s Home provides a safe, loving home for children in Guyana. Founded in 2001, Hope cares for children from infancy through young adulthood, offering stability, education, and daily care.

  • Hope Children’s Home is located in the village of Enmore, on the east coast of Guyana, approximately one hour from the capital city of Georgetown.

  • Hope Children’s Home does not receive government funding. The Home relies entirely on the generosity of individuals, churches, businesses, and partners - both in the United States and in Guyana.

  • Donations help provide food, clothing, shelter, education, medical care, transportation, and daily necessities for the children. Financial support also helps maintain facilities and meet urgent or seasonal needs.

A man in a red shirt, black pants, and a red tie standing indoors in front of a decorated background with pink drapes and pink flowers.

Co-Founder & Director

Kenneth Finlayson is a co-founder and the Director of Hope Children’s Home.

Kenneth has played an essential role in the development of Hope Children’s Home from the very beginning and continues to serve as an example and inspiration to both the Children and Staff.

A bald man with glasses speaking into a microphone, holding a shepherd's crook, standing behind a decorated podium with jungle-themed cutouts, in front of a jungle-themed backdrop with green curtains and flowers.

Stephen Kelley

Stephen Kelley has faithfully served in ministry since 2002, dedicating his life to helping children and teens grow in their relationship with the Lord. Stephen has served in various ministry roles at churches in Tennessee and Alabama since 2002. He has served as the Youth & Family Minister at Cathey’s Creek Church of Christ in Hampshire, Tennessee, since 2015, where his passion for discipleship, family ministry, and youth development continues to shape lives.

In addition to his ministry work, Stephen has served in education since 2016. In 2025 he earned a Master’s degree in School Counseling and currently serves as the school counselor at Hampshire Unit School in Tennessee. His background in counseling and education strengthens his commitment to holistic care - addressing the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of children.

Stephen first became aware of Hope Children’s Home in 2001 when its founder, Kenneth Finlayson, visited the United States seeking support for the Home. What began as an introduction quickly grew into a lasting friendship and a shared vision for caring for vulnerable children. Stephen made his first mission trip to Guyana, South America, in 2008 and has continued to serve alongside Hope Children’s Home ever since.

In 2020, Stephen formally assumed the role of missionary to Hope Children’s Home, with Cathey’s Creek Church of Christ becoming the sponsoring congregation for this work. He remains deeply committed to supporting the Home’s Christ-centered mission of nurturing the whole child—mind, character, and spirit—while sharing the love and hope found in God.

Staff

  • A woman standing in front of a black and white striped curtain, wearing a pink dress and smiling.

    Kamal Sammy - Supervisor

  • Group of seven women standing outdoors in casual clothing with a building and greenery in the background.

    Day Staff

  • Four women standing indoors against a pink wall, with a collage of photos behind them.

    Night Staff

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Volunteers

Since the founding of Hope Children’s Home, volunteers have played a vital role in supporting the ministry through prayer, service, and generosity. Their involvement has strengthened the Home both spiritually and practically, helping meet the needs of the children and staff.

Each year, Christians from the United States spend one to two weeks serving at Hope Children’s Home, typically in July when schools in Guyana are on vacation. During this time, volunteer teams conduct a Vacation Bible School, Gospel Meeting, and Youth Rally, providing encouragement, biblical teaching, and meaningful connection for the children and the surrounding community.

Support also comes faithfully from within Guyana. Many individuals, businesses, and organizations generously partner with Hope Children’s Home throughout the year by donating food, clothing, and essential supplies. Medical, vision, and dental services are also provided to the children and staff as needs arise. This ongoing support powerfully reflects the giving hearts and generosity of the Guyanese people, whose kindness helps sustain and strengthen the work of the Home.

Logo for Cathey's Creek Church of Christ featuring a black and white illustration of a church building with a steeple and trees.

Church of Christ

The Cathey's Creek Church of Christ in Hampshire, TN became the overseeing congregation of the Hope Children's Home in January 2020. All funding and support from churches and individuals in the US are sent to Cathey's Creek. Stephen Kelley is the Youth & Family Minister at Cathey's Creek and he serves as the missionary to the Hope Home. He has been involved with the ministry of the Hope Home since 2001. 

Learn more
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Community & Professional Support

Hope Children’s Home receives a yearly grant of $2,000 from the Guyanese government. This grant is given to each children’s home throughout the Country. That is the only financial assistance that the government provides. However, the current First lady, Arya Ali (seen in the picture) developed an initiative to help the children’s homes across the country. Through this initiative, she has developed partnerships with local businesses, medical providers, and the Chinese Ambassador to provide services, supplies, and support. This partnership has enabled the Hope Home to continue providing a safe, loving home for all the children.

Donate

Due to rising costs, we urgently need additional support. Your partnership in this work would be greatly appreciated and will help make an eternal difference in the lives of our children. 

Support Our Children