Many children in Sierra Leone face difficult circumstances, with some having lost their parents to illness and others needing extra care due to poverty. At Footprints Missions Orphanage, we provide a safe and nurturing environment for these children to thrive in.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, each child has access to nutritious meals, a comfortable bed, an education, and guidance in life skills. Most importantly, we help them understand their worth and identity in Jesus Christ, giving them hope and the tools to build a brighter future.
- Safe Environment
- Loving & Nurturing Staff
- Housing Stability
- Nutritious 3 Meals a Day
- Clean Clothing
- Evening Worship
- Education
- Life Skills
To Do List
What’s next? We have 4 main items that need checking off our list!
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- Children’s Building: A fourth housing unit to accommodate 12 more children.
- Greenhouses: Build greenhouses so we can grow more of our own nutritious fruits & vegetables.
- Playground: The kids would love a playground (even though they have no idea what one is!)
- Vehicle: The kids walk 3 miles one way to school on a dangerous road. We need an extra-large vehicle to transport them safely both ways!
Orphanage Director
Thank you Joseph for all you do to further God’s kingdom running our Footprints Orphanage!
Joseph is the project manager that oversees all of the children and all of the daily needs at the Footprints Child Care Center! Joseph has played a huge role in keeping the everyday running of the orphanage successful and keeping the Footprints team aware of how the children are doing daily as well as the needs at the orphanage.
Joseph is married and has three children and his family resides in Makeni, Sierra Leone. Joseph has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration that he attained at the Private University of Makeni and has lots of experience running various businesses prior to our orphanage. He has been our project manager since June of 2018 when our orphanage opened and has been such a gift from God in running our orphanage.
Our Kid's Stories
Amadu Kanu was born at the Masaymoi village. Both of Amadu’s parents died from Ebola. Amadu likes to play soccer and is very athletic. He is known as having a graceful smile and being very helpful. He is very intelligent and one of the top academic students in his class.
Fatmata’s Sai Conteh’s father and mother both died from Ebola. After her parents death, her blind grandfather had her and her siblings beg in order to provide food for the family. Fatmata is described as smart, funny, and has a wonderful contagious laugh.
Fatmata Bangura was born in Yele, where she lived with her grandmother after both parents died from Ebola. Fatmata is a go-getter. Her agility makes her an incredible athlete and tough competitor. She has a bubbly and optimistic personality, making her a great teammate and friend.
Hassan Mansaray was taken in at the Footprints Orphanage in October of 2022. Hassan is from the Bombali District in Sierra Leone. His mother died 10 days after giving birth to him. Three years ago, his father died after falling from a palm tree (often people climb trees for food sources from trees.) He is of the the first children that Footprints took in.
Both of Aminata Sussy Fullah’s parents died as a result of the Ebola outbreak. Aminata is described as a social butterfly. She is friendly, fun, kind, and affectionate. She has the ability to talk to anyone and make them “feel at home.” She loves to play games, and has a sweet small voice that cheers everyone when she sings.
Mahawa Kanu is from the Masayomi village. She has a bubbly and fun personality and has the ability to make anyone and everyone smile. he is very smart and is described to “crush everyone at the multiplication game.” She is described as patient and very clean, always helping the center mothers. Mahawa is a joy and a blessing.
Mariatu Conteh lost both her parents died from Ebola and she was later taken to Waraima to be cared for by her blind grandfather. Mariatu is smart and kind. She is very bubbly and self-aware. As one of the older girls, she has begun taking more responsibilities like cutting fruits and vegetables, and guiding her siblings in making good choices. Her future is bright, just like her intelligence and personality.
Samuel Kanu’s father, Sheku Aruna Kanu and mother, Naso Gbla both died from the Ebola virus. Samuel is intelligent and very smart, mentally and physically. He holds first or second position in each of the classes in his school. He loves everything about sports. When Samuel wants something, he goes for it unhindered. He is a wonderful young man that everyone admires.
Both of Sullay Thullah’s parents died from Ebola, and Sullay was left in the care of his impoverished uncle. There was little hope for his survival in his living environment. Sullay is currently the eldest at the orphanage. He is described as a “light in a dark room.” All of the other children look to Sullay for guidance. He is extremely smart and can “fix anything.” Sullay is humble and dependable and has dreams of becoming an engineer.
Aminata Conteh was born at Makelleh but later taken to Masumana after the death of both of her parents. She is a ray of sunshine. Aminata is affectionate, loyal, and has big beautiful eyes that melt your heart. She loves piggy-back rides, hanging onto your shoulders and climbing up your back until you crouch down and let her up. She loves giving hugs and also loves animals.
Ramatu Tholley lost both parents due to the Ebola crisis. Ramatu acts as a light in a dark room. Her smile is warm and inviting, while her eyes are analytical and aware. She possesses all of the qualities of a great leader. She is currently the teacher and leader of the orphanage singing group for church worship. Ramatu is one of God’s most astonishing creations. It is impossible not to love her.
Karty Kanu’s parents both died from the ebola virus. Karty was in the care of her old grandfather when we took her in. She is easy to love. Despite her small size, she has a huge, boisterous personality that demands attention, and is very aware, energetic, smiley, feisty, and smart. Karty is neat and bold in involving to doing things.
Aminata Tholley’s parents died as a result of the Ebola outbreak. Aminata is gentle, thoughtful, and affectionate, while maintaining the ability to tackle any problem or person fearlessly. She is strong, tenacious, beautiful, independent, and fierce. She always goes for the win. It is clear that she will be successful at anything and everything she sets her mind to. Her work ethic and worldview are two qualities most people attain in old age, if at all.
Kadiatu Fullah lost both of her parents to Ebola. Kadiatu is fun and loving. She loves to play games and mess around, but also is very responsible. She helps the center mothers prepare food for the younger children. Kadiatu will laugh with her whole body, throwing her shoulders forward, head back, and contagiously having others join in her laughter. Everyone simply loves her.
Aminata Fullah’s parents died from ebola. She is beautiful in every way. Aminata is fun, funny, independent, and kind. Her spirit is bright, shedding light on everyone. Whenever she wins a game, she does a head bobbing victory dance and sings about Jesus!
Abdul Bangura’s parents died of ebola virus. Abdul is fearless, brave and strong. He has leadership qualities. Abdul is tactful in playing soccer, and as one of the older boys in the orphanage, he helps the younger kids to learn many things. He is fun when happy, but can be tough at times too. He is incredible.
Abdulai Fullah’s parents both died of Ebola virus and was left with the his siblings in care of their grandmother. Abdulai is quiet and independent. He is strong and brave. He likes going to the bush to have fun. He his helpful and very courageous in the football pitch. Most times he is seen manning the goal post. He is a wonderful young man.
Aminata Joyce Fullah’s parents died from ebola. Aminata is the girl everyone wants to be friends with. She is sweet, independent, spunky, and strong. Bright in both personality and intelligence, she is successful in everything she does. She has a strong work ethic and her contagious laugh welcomes people with open arms while her kindness. She blazes her own trail while as a guiding light for the other children.
John Kanu’s parents died of ebola. John is a joy. Despite his small size, he packs a punch in terms of his personality and energetic love for life. John has a heavy tongue and can’t pronounce some words smoothly, making him shy and reserved. However, John is gentle and affectionate, showing his love and affection through touch and attention. He always pushes for what he wants and does not easily give up.
Aruna Kanu’s parents died of Ebola virus. Aruna is fun and full of joy. He loves playing soccer, hand games, or in the sand. He cannot be kept in one place for long – he is very active. Aruna is competitive, aware, and unafraid, taking on the older kids. He has a warm, comforting presence that makes him irresistible.
Issa Fullah is one of the newest members of the Footprints Orphanage. His mother, Yardo Fornah died immediately after giving birth to him. His father died 3 years ago of liver problem proven at City Garden clinic by Dr. ABD Sesay.
Mohamed Fullah is one of the newest members of the Footprints Orphanage. Mohamed was born at Pintklie village, sharing boundary with Yele town. His mother, Mariatu Kanu died 5 years ago immediately after Mohamed was born. His father died of cancer in 2017. Mohamed is now five years old and only just started schooling.
Asher Turay came into the orphanage as a special case on January 1, 2024. His mother was a teen mom that was attending the sewing center at the Footprints Orphanage when she became pregnant with Asher. His mother suffered from epilepsy and in December of 2023 she was washing clothes in a river and suffered an epileptic episode and drowned. She left Asher behind with nobody with the means to care for him. Asher is currently two years old.
Mohamed Alie Sesay is the younger brother of Momoh Sesay. Two years after his birth, his mother disappeared from home and up till now could not be traced. He was left in the hands of his father. In January 2023, his father died suddenly from ill health. Due to Mohamed’s poor condition, he was taken into the orphanage for better care.
Momoh Sesay’s mother, disappeared from her home in 2020 and her location is unknown. All efforts to find her has turned fruitless. Momoh’s father, John Sesay died in January 2023 due to illness. He was a worker at City Garden clinic in Makeni. Momoh has a younger brother also in the orphanage.
Mohamad Tholley was born in Makorya village. He is now 8 years old. His late mother Fatmata Kamara died few months after Mohamad was born. His father, Mohamed Tholley died during mining of gold when the mud fell on him inside the mining pit.
Sinnah Komeh is one of our newest children to join us October of 2024. She entered the orphanage with her twin brother Alusine. Sinnah’s father died in November 2023 from an episode of epilepsy and her mother died during her latest childbirth. When she was taken into the orphanage she was living with her uncle, a farmer with 7 other children to care for.
Alusine Komeh entered the orphanage with his twin sister Sinnah in October of 2024. Alusine is currently in class 1. Hia father died in November of 2023 due to an epileptic episode, and mother died following childbirth of her most recent child in emergency surgery. Alusine’s infant sibling also did not survive.
Maseray Gbla is from the Mabetty Village, birthdate December 15, 2013. She is currently in class 2. Her father died in 2022 of stomach pains that went undiagnosed. Her mother died in a vehicle accident in January of 2023 heading to market. Maseray arrived to the Footprints Orphanage in October of 2024.
Ramatu Sonnie Kamara’s father died in a mining accident while mining for gold at the Mansoberie Mines, and her mother died after delivering Ramatu. Ramatu was one of three triplets, and was the only baby to survive. Prior to arriving to the Footprints Orphanage, she was living with her grandfather who had ten other people to also care for- he was a farmer.
Isatu Turay came to the Footprints Orphanage in October of 2024. Her father died in 2014 to an undiagnosed disease that caused rapid weight loss. Her mother died in 2019 after giving birth to another child. Before arriving at the orphanage she lived with her uncle that had 4 children and two wives. He was a self proclaimed farmer.
Isatu Conteh is currently 7 years old and has never been to school prior to entering the orphanage in October of 2024. Her father died after falling from a palm tree in 2023. Her mother died after a stroke in 2020. After the death of her father, her grandmother took care of her and 4 other grandchildren. Unfortunately, the grandmother lost eyesight and could no longer care for the children and sent them away to live with other relatives.
Hawa Koroma came to the Footprints Orphanage in October of 2024. She is currently in class 4 at the primary school in Yele. Her father died in 2023 to cancer and mother died also in 2023 due to high and uncontrolled fevers from an unknown cause. When Hawa came to the orphanage, she was living under the care of her uncle who had 6 people to care for besides Hawa.
Fatmata Kargbo’s father died in 2012 from a swollen stomach with an undiagnosed illness. Her mother died while suffering from high fevers from an undiagnosed cause. Fatmata was living with her grandmother and 8 other children. Her grandmother was a self-proclaimed farmer.
Fatmata Conteh is from the Mabetty Village and her birthday is January 15, 2012. Fatmata is currently in class 2, and came to the Footprints Orphanage in October of 2024. Fatmata’s mother died from an unknown sickness while gold mining and her father died in a motorbike accident in August of 2023.
Adamsay Kamara comes to the Footprints Orphanage from Patifumayawa Village. Her birthday is November 10, 2012. She is currently in class 4 and lost her mother in June of 2020, following a stillbirth of her youngest child. Her father died after falling from a palm tree in 2017. Adamsay came to the Footprints Orphanage in October of 2024.
Fatmata Fullah came to the Footprints Orphanage in October of 2024. Her birthdate is January 1, 2016 and she is in class 3 at school. Her mother got sick and died in 2020 and her father has been missing for over 5 years. It is unknown whether he is alive or deceased. Before arriving to the Footprints Orphanage she was living with her uncle and his two wives and children.
Hawa Kargbo came to the Footprints Orphanage in October of 2024. Her birthday is October 8, 2016. Before arriving to the Footprints Orphanage, Hawa was living in the Rolinekaparoke Village and not attending school. Her father died in 2021 from liver failure and her mother died directly after giving birth to Hawa.