What We Do
Orphan Care
The line between children who have been abandoned and vulnerable children on the brink is a thin one. The difference lies in whether a child has a champion in their life who is willing to engage. King’s Kids Africa, in partnership with GO Africa, the Presbytery and the local church, cares for and strengthens the neediest of these.
Core Principles
King’s Kids Africa, GO Africa, the Presbytery and the local church work together to honor God and care for the neediest of His children through the following Core Principles:
Bring the love and power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lives of the children.
Provide orphan care that is:
- Loving
- Local church-based
- Consistent with basic care standards
- Progressively self-sustaining
Children’s homes are the “last resort” for the neediest of the needy.
Children’s homes are “culturally relevant” to the surrounding community.
Extended families are valued and remain involved in the lives of the children.
Orphan Homes
“Let the little children come to me… in my Father’s house are many rooms.” (Jesus)
- Once a Field Partnership Agreement is signed, King’s Kids Africa works with the Presbytery’s “Building Committee” and the local church to design and construct an orphan home
- The pastor of the local church works with the Presbytery to select the mommas
- Orphan homes are located on church property adjacent to the Pastor’s home
- Orphan homes (duplexes) have been designed for 12 children (6 boys and a mother on one side and 6 girls and a mother on the other side)
- Women (mostly widows) from the church and local villages become the children’s mothers
- Orphan homes are culturally sensitive to the local village
- The lifestyle of the children are no better than those in the surrounding community
Momma
Like any family, the mother is the heart of the home. The pastor of the local church works with the Presbytery and the local “management committee” to develop selection criteria for the mommas, such as:
- She is a born again Christian
- She is a member of the Mother’s Union (women’s ministry)
- She has demonstrated a love of children and a willingness to be a mother and an advocate for them
- She is willing to leave her own house and make the orphan’s house her home and the children her children
- She is most likely a widow
- She is strong and able to work hard enough to look after 5 children
- She is content with her “single” status and is not seeking marriage
- She is well known by a member of the Management Committee and people will verify her Christian character
Lifecare Costs
The full cost of supporting a child is approximately $80/child per month, including:
- Food
- Clothing
- Education
- Healthcare
At this point, King’s Kids Africa funds the ongoing life care costs of the children. However, over time, the level of financial support provided by King’s Kids Africa will be phased out, as we work with the local church to become more self-sustaining.
While King’s Kids Africa pays for a significant portion of the ongoing life care costs, the local church and the Presbytery will be viewed by the community as the “care providers” and not King’s Kids Africa.
To provide more flexibility in sponsoring a child, we have now adopted several levels of giving, including:
- Embrace Me – This level is for those who have the financial ability to pay for the full cost of supporting a child, including: housing, food, clothing, healthcare, education and the mommas. ($80/month)
- Feed Me – This level is similar to Embrace Me, but excludes the cost of education. ($55/month)
- Teach Me – This new level provides a low cost alternative to help sponsor a child by funding the cost of education. ($25/month)
In the Midst of Orphans