About Hope for Villages
Discover our mission, vision, and commitment to positive change.
Our Mission
Reducing African exodus to the West by creating self-dependent rural communities through modern actions in Agriculture, Education and Health. We believe positive change is possible when communities have access to resources and opportunities in their own region.
- Equity & Justice
- Sustainability
- Partnership
- Innovation
Our Vision
A self-dependent and unemployment free Africa, where every person has access to the resources, opportunities, and education needed to reach their full potential.
We advance this vision by building strong partnerships, supporting entrepreneurship, and creating sustainable economic opportunities.
Our Commitment to Transparency
Hope for Villages is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States. We are committed to complete transparency, financial accountability, and best practices in governance. Every dollar you give is used efficiently to create lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Our Core Values
Transparency
- ●We use all resources at our disposal in all transparency and honesty
- ●We allow easy access to both internal and external stakeholders
- ●All transactions are documented to facilitate external and internal audits
- ●Honesty, integrity and loyalty govern all our decisions
- ●All members are committed to reject any form of corruption
Responsibility
- ●Follow through on all our engagements
- ●Be serious and rigorous in everything we do
- ●Look for excellence in all our actions
- ●Enable a culture of high performance and effort
- ●Draw the trust of collaborators, partners and volunteers
- ●Train and mentor new members
Service Mindset
- ●Serve instead of being served
- ●Encourage all actors to serve others
- ●Be others-centered in our approach
- ●Execute concrete service actions
- ●Cultivate a culture of servanthood throughout the organization
Benevolent Heart
- ●Respect and accept people regardless of their background and religious affiliations
- ●Remain open to new projects and ideas
- ●Listen to everyone's ideas and feedback
- ●Try to understand others' viewpoints
- ●Show compassion in all interactions
- ●Take time and be patient with others
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- ●Value all our staff and volunteers ideas
- ●Be open to new ideas and ready to take on new territory and areas
- ●Be result-oriented in everything we do
- ●Innovate constantly to enrich people's lives
- ●Encourage initiative and creativity
Our Leadership Team
Harold Affo
Executive Director/Founder
Harold Affo was born in Benin and has lived in the United States since 2008. With a Master's degree in Computer Science, he built a career in technology but never lost touch with his roots. Hope for Villages is a dream come true for Harold, who have always longed to give back to the land that raised them. Though deeply involved in his local community, Harold wanted to reach further—to support those too often forgotten and in need of help to improve their lives. He believes Hope for Villages can be a bridge of compassion, connecting people and resources to uplift underserved communities across Africa.
Aubin GBONGBE
Director of Strategic Initiatives/Founder
Aubin was born in Ivory Coast and relocated to France in 2002. He is a co-founder of Hope for Villages. He holds an engineering degree and an Executive MBA, with over twenty years of professional experience gained in major companies across IT consulting, metallurgy, pneumatics, and logistics transport. Since 2016, he has served as Head of IS Group Applications for an agricultural cooperative.
Pélagie DOKO
Chief Operating Officer
Born in Benin, Pélagie Doko has dedicated her life to helping children grow, learn, and thrive. Her passion for child development has taken her across continents — from Benin to Greece, Niger, and Côte d'Ivoire — where she has led and supported youth programs and community initiatives. Known for her warmth and empathy, Pélagie brings both heart and experience to her work. Her lifelong commitment to creating joyful, nurturing spaces for children continues to inspire everyone around her and strengthens the mission of Hope for Villages.