Sponsorship FAQ

Orphanages for Africa (OFA) began in October 2005, after our founder and president returned from a humanitarian trip to Swaziland, Africa. She was handed a $100 bill and with faith and prayers, OFA was begun. OFA has not asked God for a few orphanages to help a handful of orphans; we have asked God to help us eventually reach out to millions of orphans on the continent. With goals like this we need your support and earnest prayers everyday.

OFA's role model is George Müller who cared for orphans throughout the 19th century in England through prayer alone without directly raising funds. Mr. Müller received 7.5 million dollars over the course of his life for the children (equivalent to 180 million dollars in the 21st century!). The only one he ever asked for money was God, and God proved Himself to be faithful time and time again. OFA has found this same testimony to be true today as we carry on Mr. Müller's legacy. Müller's basic aim was to have a work; something to point to, as visible proof that God hears and answers prayer.

OFA partners with churches, families, individuals and other non-profit organizations in order to assist as many orphans as possible. We conduct extensive background checks on all potential ministry partners. Once we establish a partnership, we require partners to submit receipts for any funds they receive and to provide progress reports related to their work with orphans. We also make site visits to monitor their ministries. Our aim is to provide humanitarian and development relief as well as the love of Christ for the children.

In addition to founding this corporation on core principles of stewardship, integrity and accountability, OFA's goal is to develop sustainable projects in connection with all of our partners. OFA provides small grants to establish micro-enterprise businesses to give our African partners a hand-up rather than a handout.

Every time someone becomes a sponsor, two lives are forever changed. The lives of sponsored children are changed as a result of your financial gifts. With your support and the assistance of other caring sponsors, we work with orphanages and organizations to help our partners develop the ability to take care of themselves. Your sponsorship will help make programs possible that will address your sponsored child's (and other children's) most basic needs--programs that provide school fees, food, basic medical care and supplies.

The children also benefit in ways you cannot imagine. The love you provide through a simple letter may be the encouragement a struggling boy or girl needs to make it through another day. You will see first hand how you've given your child the chance for a more promising, hopeful future.

The second life that is changed is yours. How can the photographs, letters, or drawings not touch you from your sponsored child? Thanks to your prayers and commitment, you'll have the opportunity to watch your child change as he or she grows up.

Basic sponsorship $36 CAD/month: covers food or education fees

Full sponsorship $75 CAD/month: covers food and education fees (partial or full)

90% of your donation goes directly to the orphanage hosting your child. OFA accepts monthly, quarterly, and annual payments. Donors can also give via 12 post-dated cheques if that is the most convenient. We hope to offer the option of electronic funds transfer in the future.

We encourage you to be faithful in your financial support and appreciate a minimum one-year commitment to the sponsorship program.

One of the most effective ways of helping children is to combine your sponsorship gifts with those of others. Your child will not benefit exclusively as benefits will be shared. This system ensures that children who may not have a sponsor of their own will still benefit from OFA programs.

Yes! When enrolling, you may choose a child to sponsor by country and gender. Currently OFA is operating the child sponsorship program in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. If you do not have a preference, a child where sponsor support is needed the most will be selected for you.

Yes! You are able to share the gift of child sponsorship with a loved one. Please fill out the form found here. The recipient will then receive a welcome package introducing them to their sponsored child.

You may contact OFA's Sponsorship Program Coordinator here or send a letter to:

Orphanages for Africa – Canada
32 Signature Cove
Sherwood Park, AB T8H 0W8

We hope that you will want to be part of OFA's work for a considerable length of time. Committed support from sponsors will allow us to achieve lasting results. However long you will be with us, your sponsorship is very important to us. As long as a sponsored child is in a project associated with OFA, he or she will continue to receive assistance.

We will notify you when your sponsored child becomes self-sufficient or if he or she leaves the orphanage that OFA is a partner with. At that time we'll introduce you to another child who needs your help.

OFA does not require you to disclose your faith, religious beliefs and practices. We do however seek sponsors who are aligned with our ministry approach and philosophy.

OFA-Canada is a Not-for-Profit Corporation but not a Registered Charity. Donations are not tax-deductible at this time in Canada.

OFA is deeply committed to conducting its programs in a manner that is safe for the children we serve and to help protect the children with whom OFA and our sponsors are in contact. As a humanitarian organization, we believe that all children have the right to live free of the fear or reality of any form of abuse or exploitation. We strive to create and maintain an environment that aims to prevent these circumstances and enforce our child safety policy. We are confident that our sponsors will join us in upholding this policy so that, together, we can do our best to ensure that the children we help remain safe. While the vast majority of individuals have good intentions, we must safeguard against the few who do not. We are sure you understand the need to protect the wellbeing of the children we help.

Meeting your sponsored child can be a most valued experience that strengthens your relationship and understanding of OFA's work in Africa. In keeping with our commitment to child safety, all visits to sponsorship areas must be coordinated through OFA's Child Sponsorship Coordinator well in advance. Unannounced visits are prohibited. Prior to visiting your sponsored child, an application, release forms and a background check will be required. OFA does not pay for travel expenses. We hope you understand that these steps are necessary to ensure the safety of the children.

We encourage you to build a relationship with your sponsored child. You may send letters or cards to your child as often as you wish. We encourage you to write at least twice a year. A hand written letter is more personal; however, we will accept e-mailed letters, which will then be forwarded to the child through the postal system. The more you write the child you sponsor, the more he or she will reap the benefits of your relationship. We appreciate your patience in receiving a response from your child as this process can take an extended period of time.

OFA suggests you share a bit about your life, family, where you live, your culture, and what you do. Please personalize your letter; that makes it meaningful. Also ask your child about his or her life.

We ask you to provide comments consistent with the Christian values and philosophies we share with our African partners.

Please refrain from writing about your material possessions, or anything else which may stress the difference between you and your sponsored child. Another topic to avoid is politics. Some governments open mail and derogatory comments about their government and leaders could cause harm to our African partners. Also, do not include any personal contact information such as phone numbers, e-mail or mailing addresses. This is to protect your privacy as well as to avoid direct appeals for financial aid from your child.

We will not forward photographs and other materials with activities that:

• May be considered inappropriate in another culture

• Promote unhealthy lifestyle choices that go against biblically based lifestyles or are otherwise inappropriate for sponsored children

• May threaten the safety of the sponsored children in any way.

You may send anything that is flat and fits easily into a letter-sized envelope: postcards, photos, bookmarks and stickers. Please do not send money. This may create unrealistic expectations for direct financial assistance. This could then encourage the very "handout mentality" OFA is trying to prevent. Additionally, sending money can also create jealousy among those who are not sponsored or who do not receive money.

We understand you may want to send packages to your sponsored child; however, OFA has a policy not to accept packages. High postal rates, slow delivery, the possibility of loss, theft or damage are some of the reasons why OFA is not able to allow packages to be sent. In this way, we are able to direct a higher percentage of your contribution to the sponsorship program.

To protect the privacy of all parties, we do not allow children and sponsors to exchange contact information. Correspondence may be emailed to the Child Sponsorship Coordinator here or mailed to:

Orphanages for Africa – Canada
32 Signature Cove
Sherwood Park, AB T8H 0W8

Place your letter in an unsealed regular sized envelope with the full name of the child along with the child's ID number. Do not include your return address, just include your name and sponsor ID number on the envelope. We ask that it is unsealed because we monitor letters for content. Mail this envelope in a larger one to the Child Sponsorship Coordinator at the address noted above.

As you can understand, we take any breach of these policies very seriously and, in the unfortunate circumstance that one should occur, we will end the sponsorship relationship.