Ways to Help

Many people have emailed me asking if I need anything or if there is something that they can do to help. I appreciate your care and concern so much! Fortunately, I have what I need here. And, thanks to the wonderful and generous support of my family, friends, and church, I have raised more than enough funds to cover my monlthy expenses while on the field. However, if you would like to do something to aid the project, I have several suggestions:

1. Sponsor a child.
The children and their families benefit greatly from sponsorship. The cost is $30 per month to sponsor a child. The money pays for school fees, school supplies, food, clothing, medical care, and other items. Your child will write you at least thrice a year and you will receive a picture profile once a year. You should also know that for many of these kids, it is not just the fincial aid which changes their lives, but also the knowledge that someone out there in the world cares about them enough to make sacrifices on their behalf. These kids love to communicate with their sponsers. You are free to send your sponsored child letters and small packages as often as you would like (and they will write you back). To the kids, you are not just a sponsor... you become like a father or mother to them.

Sponsorship does not have to be on an individual basis. You are free to sponsor a child collectively as a ministry, company, church, school, office, Sunday school class or other small group. Please email me if you would like more information about child sponsorship or if you would like to sponsor a child.

2. Give to the COH general fund.
Children of Hope has a "general fund" which is used to buy necessary items that do not directly go to the children... for example: vehicles, property, office supplies, etc. These items benefit the children indirectly and are vital to running the project.

If you would like to donate to the general fund, you can do this by logging on to http://www.worldventure.com/. Choose the option “give” from the menu on the left. The next page should include the option of giving to individuals or to specific ministries. You can then choose “Children of Hope” from the list of ministries and enter the amount you wish to donate.

3. Raise money as a group for a specific item.
In the past, groups have contacted Catharine about what they can do to help. She gave them the suggestion of raising money for something specific that the children or the mentors here can use. A children’s Sunday school raised money to buy every COH child a mosquito net. Another group is currently raising money to buy playground balls and jump ropes for the children to use during fun days and holidays. If your group is interested in doing something like this, please let me know. There are several small “projects” that you could help to finance.

4. Donate clothing.
I will be returning home for two weeks at the end of this month (one of my best friends is getting married). While at home, I will be collecting clothing to bring back for the children here. If you would like to contribute, please drop off any children’s clothing to one of my family members OR you can give it to Richie Lord at the church (Park Avenue). The clothing can either be new or it can be second-hand clothing in good condition. The children here only buy second-hand clothes anyhow, and your second-hand clothing will often be much nicer than what they have. T-shirts, trousers, skirts (especially for the older girls), button-down shirts and blouses would all be appreciated. We have children of all ages in our project – from 6 years old up to teenagers – so any size clothing can be used. Also, if you have baby to preschooler size clothes, I know it would be much appreciated as well in the camps. If you plan to donate clothes, please attempt to have it dropped off by Friday, June 22.

Thank you all so much for your marvelous support and compassion for these kids!