Meet the Founder - Jonatas Longo

Jonatas Longo

Founder & President, S.O.S.

Samaritan Association

My name is Jonatas Longo,

I was born in Angola, a nation of extraordinary resilience, rich culture, and remarkable potential. Yet it is also a place where many families continue to face poverty, displacement, and limited access to basic opportunities. My own life was shaped by those realities.

I grew up surrounded by uncertainty. For much of my childhood, my biological mother was not present in my life, She was very sick at the time I was born and I did not have the opportunity to know her until I was about 15 years old. Home was never a permanent place. I lived with my older brothers, relatives I barely knew, and at times within church communities that opened their doors when I had nowhere else to go.

Looking back, I realize that although I lacked many things, God was using those experiences to teach me lessons that would one day become the foundation of this organization.

One of my earliest memories takes me back to when I was about 5 years old. My brothers, sisters, and I were living in a church. The pastor who led that church also served as the local leader of the International Red Cross Nonprofit Organization. Because of that connection, we participated in activities with other children in the community.

I remember something that has never left my heart.

Whenever we gathered, we were taught a simple but powerful lesson about sharing. Before we had our meal or began whatever activity was planned, we were given one cooked bean to share among everyone present. That single bean had to be divided into tiny pieces_sometimes among 10 or even 15 children_so that everyone received a piece, no matter how small. Only after everyone had received their share would we continue with the meal or the day's activities. Sharing that one bean was part of our training, teaching us from an early age that no one should be left out.

No one was allowed to eat while someone else had nothing.

It was a simple lesson, yet it carried extraordinary meaning: what we have is meant to be shared. Compassion is not measured by abundance but by a willing heart.

Another memory comes from my kindergarten years. Our teacher would take the entire class outside into the yard. Each child carried a small stick, and together we walked across the grounds picking up leaves and litter while singing songs. We placed everything into the garbage containers, learning that caring for our environment was everyone’s responsibility.

At the time, these seemed like ordinary childhood activities.

Today, I understand they were shaping my character.

Those two lessons—sharing what we have and caring for God’s creation—became deeply rooted in my heart. They continue to guide every decision I make and every vision I pursue.

That is why S.O.S. Samaritan Association exists.

Our mission is not simply to distribute food, provide clean water, teach technology, plant trees, or organize community cleanups. Our mission is to cultivate a culture of compassion, responsibility, and hope that can be passed from one generation to the next.

There are nights when I cannot sleep because the burden to serve weighs heavily on my heart. I feel compelled to preach the Gospel, to teach, to equip, and to remind people that every human being has immeasurable value. I believe we are called not only to love one another but also to care for the world God has entrusted to us.

Humanity has been entrusted with the responsibility of caring for what God freely provides through nature. When we protect creation, share with those in need, and invest in people through education and opportunity, we honor both our Creator and our neighbors.

Through S.O.S. Samaritan Association, we strive to serve children, youth, families, widows, orphans, churches, schools, and communities by providing humanitarian aid, education, technology, leadership development, environmental initiatives, disaster relief, and spiritual encouragement.

My hope is that this mission inspires others to believe that lasting transformation begins with a single act of kindness.

Together, we can restore hope—one community at a time.

— Jonatas Longo

Founder & President

S.O.S. Samaritan Association