Door of Hope Mission [1901- ]

The Door of Hope Mission was founded in 1901 by Cornelia Bonnell and others, who were disturbed by the sight of prostitutes being paraded through the treaty port streets of Shanghai, promoting the brothels that owned them. They were inspired by urban reform ideals and Christian beliefs. They established a rescue centre to help those affected.

The Mission quickly gained its first residents after opening, and by 1905, it sheltered 74 women and children. Operating for about 50 years, it sheltered up to 200 girls at a time, many of whom stayed for roughly two years to gain training.

By 1910, the number had grown to 325; even during the Japanese occupation from 1937 to 1945, it remained operational, caring for hundreds more. It persisted until after World War II, only closing when Communist authorities expelled Western missionaries in 1951*.

The Mission served formerly enslaved prostitutes, abused wives, concubines, servants, and abandoned "extra" women and children, offering sanctuary and support services otherwise inaccessible to them. This included chapels, schools, industrial workshops, and health clinics located both at their downtown Shanghai premises and at their countryside Children's Refuge. 

Associated with the Mission is the production of Door of Hope dolls, which featured handmade Chinese clothing produced by the women and girls in the mission's care, and which were sold worldwide to raise funds.  The doll’s head, hands, and forearms were carved from Chinese pearwood, left smooth without paint or varnish. Its hair, eyes, and lips were painted, while the cloth body was filled with raw cotton.  

The girls of the mission hand-made each doll’s clothing as an exact replica of clothing worn by the Chinese people of the time including under garments, all of which could be removed. 

Because of its comprehensive care, the Mission received strong backing from both Western and Chinese Shanghai governments and reformers throughout its existence. In total, the Mission directly assisted more than 5,000 women and children, with many more benefiting from its day schools, religious revivals, and prayer gatherings. 

*The Door of Hope moved its operations to Taipei, Taiwan, in 1955.

Sources:

World History Connected

Doll Reference

The Gamble House (with pictures of dolls)

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                                                           The Door of Hope Mission: Canton

The Door of Hope Mission in Canton, South China, was focused on rescuing and rehabilitating vulnerable women and girls during the early twentieth century. 

It was started by some women who felt the need for this work, and they had just come together on their own to pray for the opening of a rescue mission for little Chinese slave girls, many of whom were victims of the mui tsai practice—a form of child servitude. They formed a committee, meeting monthly, praying for it and undertaking to support it and to help get it going.

In the 30s it was directed by Rev Erwin Raetz and supported by his wife, Florence, the Mission provided sanctuary for 25-30 former sex workers. It operated within a walled compound, ensuring the safety and protection of its residents, and was staffed by a Chinese matron and amahs who contributed to the daily care and guidance of the girls.

Daily life at the Door of Hope Mission was structured and nurturing, beginning with a devotional hour followed by lessons in reading, writing, arithmetic, history, and geography. Afternoons were dedicated to handicrafts such as embroidery, sewing, and weaving, equipping the girls with practical skills for the future. The Mission's work was sustained through donations and the personal support of friends from abroad, reflecting a network of international backing.

The Mission faced significant challenges during times of conflict, particularly during the Sino-Japanese War and the subsequent Japanese invasion in 1941, when Canton came under threat of bombardment. 

Because of this, the Raetz family relocated the Mission first to Hong Kong and later to Taipo, adapting to the growing number of girls seeking refuge. 

During the Japanese occupation, Florence Raetz, her children, and the girls in the home, were interned at the Mission in Taipo. Then, following an agreement for the exchange of American and Japanese prisoners of war, Florence and others were repatriated, returning to New York in 1942. 

The Canton/Hong Kong Door of Hope Mission operations concluded then, although the Shanghai work continued until 1951.

Sources: 

Wheaton College Archives

Assemblies of God Heritage Magazine.

                                                                             Door of Hope Today

Today Door of Hope (doorofhope.co.uk) operates in Eastern Europe, primarily in Bulgaria and Ukraine, focusing on supporting marginalized communities through education, social care, and efforts to combat human trafficking. They run projects in Chirpan, Bulgaria, and support missions in Odessa and Lviv, Ukraine. They also provide aid and humanitarian support, including shoebox deliveries, to these regions.