A. If your sponsored friend is the only child sponsored, be assured that your sponsorship is received with joy and appreciated by the entire family as it lessens the financial pressure on the family, giving them hope and providing help.
A. For sponsors who have the means and desire to provide additional assistance, we can inquire at the project whether your child requires additional assistance beyond what sponsorship provides.
A. CFCA’s livelihood initiatives have steadily grown to the point that approximately half of projects now have livelihood programs. The programs are made available to families with a desire and ability to participate.
A. Telling your story is one of the best ways you can help spread the good news of sponsorship. Please use only the first name, age and country when identifying sponsored friends and their families online or in print.
A. There is no specific age one must be to qualify for sponsorship as an aging person. Our project staffs make this determination within the context of the person’s circumstances.
A. A. We prefer that you do not use translation software. Using such software often results in an unintelligible translation because the software is incapable of recognizing context and common phrases and expressions.
A. The most convenient, efficient and cost effective way to make a contribution is through automatic bank withdrawal. With this payment option, you are authorizing CFCA to withdraw your monthly sponsorship payment directly from your checking account.
A. There are a variety of reasons why a letter may be written by someone other than your sponsored friend. When this occurs, CFCA asks that the person writing the letter clearly identify themselves so you will know.
A. Your letters and photos are the best gifts you could send.I know it sounds too easy, but we hear from our project staff time and time again that letters are really what the sponsored children and aging want the most.
I am sponsoring a child in Africa and I was supposed to get an mailing address for this child but still have not heard, I just get general news letters from CFCA. How can I get my child’s mailing address so that I can send cards? I signed up in December 2008 and still have not heard from CFCA about the address.
Thank you
I am sorry that you did not receive the welcome packet we sent to you in December that contained your receipt and labels for writing to Joseph. I will be happy to mail a new packet for you today.
If we can be of further assistance, please call us at 800.875.6564 or 913.384.6500 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST or e-mail us at mail@cfcausa.org. Thank you for your care and support of the children and aging we serve.
I have been thinking about going to Kenya on the mission trip ,but the main reason for wanting to go is to see my sponsored boy in the Matiri project. This one has been excluded from the trip. I am wondering why. Thank you, SIncerely, Meg Ivan
Thank you for your comment and for your interest in the Kenya mission awareness trip.
CFCA has two mission awareness trips visiting Kenya in 2009. The trip leaving this week will visit the Matiri project. As you commented, the trip in September will not be visiting the Matiri project. Instead, the September group will visit the areas in western Kenya where CFCA works. Since we have two trips this year, we have the opportunity to focus on particular regions of Kenya during each trip. This way, different communities will have the opportunity to welcome and meet a group of sponsors.
Although the group will not visit Matiri during the September trip, if you chose to participate in that mission awareness trip, we would invite your friend to meet up with the group so that you could have the opportunity to meet him. This is the case for everyone who sponsors someone in Kenya.
Regardless of which trip someone chooses, a sponsor will have the opportunity to meet their sponsored friend.
We have sponsored a boy in Haiti for the last 5 years. We are contemplating a mission trip, but Haiti is not on your list. Why not? and if so, When will it be?
Thanks for your question. The safety and health of our sponsors is our top priority. At this time, CFCA is not able to offer mission awareness trips to Haiti and some of the other countries where we work for a variety of reasons. In some of these countries, the number of available staff is limited, and some projects are not equipped to assist with a large-group visit. Also, CFCA communities in which we work can be located a great distance from each other, and poor roads, weather and lack of transportation make large-group travel difficult or unsafe.
We thank you for your support of your CFCA friend.
Thank you for your comment and concern. We received word from some of our Honduran projects that they have been able to continue their work, despite the political situation. We posted a news story with more information, which you can access here.
The projects ask that we continue to keep the people of Honduras in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.
We sponsor a child in Legaspi. At some point does their education end if they do not achieve the appropriate education goal. our boy is 13, I worry about him having to leave school to work. How can the project help keep them in school.
CFCA believes that one of the keys to breaking the cycle of poverty is education. As a child grows older, the family may feel the need for him or her to start working in lieu of going to school. Our hope is that the benefits of sponsorship will alleviate some of the financial burdens, which may otherwise prevent a child from continuing his or her education, whether it be actually paying school-related expenses or relieving other financial constraints in the family to allow the child to focus on school instead of working.
Although we know this is not always possible for a child to stay in school, our project staff works with the families and children to promote the importance of education and help families consider all of their options before making a choice to discontinue studies.
Depending on the situation, a sponsored youth may even be provided with the option to discontinue studying for a certain amount of time to work, as long as he or she intends to return to school. At times, these out-of-school youth may bank their benefits to pay for education expenses or their family needs may be so great that they focus their benefits on other important needs, such as food.
Don’t forget: Your encouraging letters can also play an important part in keeping your sponsored friend focused on education.
I am currently sponsoring an elder lady in the Phiilppines. How can I find out if she and her family have been affected by the recent typhoon?
Thank you for your help.
Judy Richardson
Thank you for your concern. Anyone who has questions about a sponsored friend’s well-being may contact Sponsor Services via email or phone, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
We appreciate the love and concern you have for your sponsored friend and respect those who consider adoption as a possibility; however, facilitating adoptions is not part of the mission of CFCA.
CFCA is committed to doing the best job possible of helping to build life-giving relationships between sponsors and sponsored persons, and encouraging their families and communities. We do not engage in activities that go beyond the scope of that mission or that might serve to mislead or confuse people about our true purpose.
This is kinnu from India,
It’s a very help for to like me childs and others praise the lord god like this only .
prayer for me and help me……
I wait for your mail and your’s good talks
praise the lord
Thank you very much for your question. I’m sure you are very excited to hear from your new friend!
It is not unusual for the first letter to take two to four months to arrive. The time depends on many factors, including the time of year, how far away from the project office the child lives, translating, etc.
Each month, our project teams receive a report to remind them to have the individuals with a new sponsor to write letters. I would expect you will receive a letter before much longer, but I encourage you to contact Sponsor Services directly if you have not received a letter by the end of January.
If we can be of further assistance, please contact us at 1-800-875-6564 or 913-384-6500 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST, or email us at mail@cfcausa.org.
Thank you for your care and support of the children and aging we serve.
Hi !I’m a sponsor now and previously working with CFCA Zamboanga Project as Assistant Project Coordinator for more than 10 years and now presently working here in Canada. I just had on hand my sponsored child second letter but a little of disappointment . I wrote her a letter but to may dismay her 2nd letter seems to be a welcome letter again.If only these kids would really write a letter coming from their heart like tellings stories regarding their summer vacation or anything happened within the last time she wrote a letter to me.That would feel more exciting and would encourage the sponsor to continue on sponsoring them.Her 2nd letter was about how old she is ,what grae is she now ,how siblings she has.I know that these kind of things was already mentioned on their welcome letters.I’m sorry about this I’m just suggesting for CFCA to be able to keep all the sponsors.
Thank you for your question. In fiscal year 2009, total program support represents 94.2 percent of CFCA expenses, and includes both project funding (87.8 percent) and U.S.-based program support services to the projects and our sponsors (6.4 percent). Fundraising costs are 2.8 percent of expenses, with the remaining 3 percent used to fund general and administrative costs.
1. Linda Koval | February 15, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I am sponsoring a child in Africa and I was supposed to get an mailing address for this child but still have not heard, I just get general news letters from CFCA. How can I get my child’s mailing address so that I can send cards? I signed up in December 2008 and still have not heard from CFCA about the address.
Thank you
2. cfca | February 16, 2009 at 8:21 am
Thank you for your comment, Linda.
I am sorry that you did not receive the welcome packet we sent to you in December that contained your receipt and labels for writing to Joseph. I will be happy to mail a new packet for you today.
If we can be of further assistance, please call us at 800.875.6564 or 913.384.6500 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST or e-mail us at mail@cfcausa.org. Thank you for your care and support of the children and aging we serve.
Sincerely,
Claudia
Sponsor Services
3. Meg Ivan | February 19, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I have been thinking about going to Kenya on the mission trip ,but the main reason for wanting to go is to see my sponsored boy in the Matiri project. This one has been excluded from the trip. I am wondering why. Thank you, SIncerely, Meg Ivan
4. cfca | February 23, 2009 at 10:23 am
Meg,
Thank you for your comment and for your interest in the Kenya mission awareness trip.
CFCA has two mission awareness trips visiting Kenya in 2009. The trip leaving this week will visit the Matiri project. As you commented, the trip in September will not be visiting the Matiri project. Instead, the September group will visit the areas in western Kenya where CFCA works. Since we have two trips this year, we have the opportunity to focus on particular regions of Kenya during each trip. This way, different communities will have the opportunity to welcome and meet a group of sponsors.
Although the group will not visit Matiri during the September trip, if you chose to participate in that mission awareness trip, we would invite your friend to meet up with the group so that you could have the opportunity to meet him. This is the case for everyone who sponsors someone in Kenya.
Regardless of which trip someone chooses, a sponsor will have the opportunity to meet their sponsored friend.
Karen
International Department
5. matthew cosenza | April 10, 2009 at 5:52 am
We have sponsored a boy in Haiti for the last 5 years. We are contemplating a mission trip, but Haiti is not on your list. Why not? and if so, When will it be?
6. cfca | April 13, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Matthew,
Thanks for your question. The safety and health of our sponsors is our top priority. At this time, CFCA is not able to offer mission awareness trips to Haiti and some of the other countries where we work for a variety of reasons. In some of these countries, the number of available staff is limited, and some projects are not equipped to assist with a large-group visit. Also, CFCA communities in which we work can be located a great distance from each other, and poor roads, weather and lack of transportation make large-group travel difficult or unsafe.
We thank you for your support of your CFCA friend.
Sincerely,
Ashley
Sponsor Services
7. Robert Rose | July 29, 2009 at 3:02 am
I sponsor a child in Honduras. I was wondering if the current political strife has affected the mission there in any way.
8. cfca | August 3, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Robert,
Thank you for your comment and concern. We received word from some of our Honduran projects that they have been able to continue their work, despite the political situation. We posted a news story with more information, which you can access here.
The projects ask that we continue to keep the people of Honduras in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.
Best,
Natasha
blog administrator
9. jayapal | September 17, 2009 at 5:49 am
CFCA have made lot of changes in my life.
10. Doris Borsch | October 5, 2009 at 2:52 pm
We sponsor a child in Legaspi. At some point does their education end if they do not achieve the appropriate education goal. our boy is 13, I worry about him having to leave school to work. How can the project help keep them in school.
11. cfca | October 6, 2009 at 9:26 am
Doris,
CFCA believes that one of the keys to breaking the cycle of poverty is education. As a child grows older, the family may feel the need for him or her to start working in lieu of going to school. Our hope is that the benefits of sponsorship will alleviate some of the financial burdens, which may otherwise prevent a child from continuing his or her education, whether it be actually paying school-related expenses or relieving other financial constraints in the family to allow the child to focus on school instead of working.
Although we know this is not always possible for a child to stay in school, our project staff works with the families and children to promote the importance of education and help families consider all of their options before making a choice to discontinue studies.
Depending on the situation, a sponsored youth may even be provided with the option to discontinue studying for a certain amount of time to work, as long as he or she intends to return to school. At times, these out-of-school youth may bank their benefits to pay for education expenses or their family needs may be so great that they focus their benefits on other important needs, such as food.
Don’t forget: Your encouraging letters can also play an important part in keeping your sponsored friend focused on education.
Thank you,
Claudia
Sponsor Services
12. Judy Richardson | October 24, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I am currently sponsoring an elder lady in the Phiilppines. How can I find out if she and her family have been affected by the recent typhoon?
Thank you for your help.
Judy Richardson
13. cfca | October 27, 2009 at 10:57 am
Hi, Judy
Thank you for your concern. Anyone who has questions about a sponsored friend’s well-being may contact Sponsor Services via email or phone, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
Sponsor Services contact info:
mail@cfcausa.org
913.384.6500
800.875.6564
Thank you for your continued support,
Natasha
blog admin
14. ajay | October 27, 2009 at 4:41 am
can i addopt my sponsor child
15. cfca | October 28, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Ajay,
We appreciate the love and concern you have for your sponsored friend and respect those who consider adoption as a possibility; however, facilitating adoptions is not part of the mission of CFCA.
CFCA is committed to doing the best job possible of helping to build life-giving relationships between sponsors and sponsored persons, and encouraging their families and communities. We do not engage in activities that go beyond the scope of that mission or that might serve to mislead or confuse people about our true purpose.
Claudia
Sponsor Services
16. kinnubabu | December 8, 2009 at 12:42 am
This is kinnu from India,
It’s a very help for to like me childs and others praise the lord god like this only .
prayer for me and help me……
I wait for your mail and your’s good talks
praise the lord
17. Gary Hempel | December 8, 2009 at 7:09 pm
We have sponsored a child in Bolivia. It’s been well over 2 months and we have yet to recieve any letter from her. Is this unusual? Gary
18. cfca | December 9, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Dear Gary,
Thank you very much for your question. I’m sure you are very excited to hear from your new friend!
It is not unusual for the first letter to take two to four months to arrive. The time depends on many factors, including the time of year, how far away from the project office the child lives, translating, etc.
Each month, our project teams receive a report to remind them to have the individuals with a new sponsor to write letters. I would expect you will receive a letter before much longer, but I encourage you to contact Sponsor Services directly if you have not received a letter by the end of January.
If we can be of further assistance, please contact us at 1-800-875-6564 or 913-384-6500 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST, or email us at mail@cfcausa.org.
Thank you for your care and support of the children and aging we serve.
Sincerely,
Claudia
Sponsor Services
19. Racheal T. Abrera | June 24, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Hi !I’m a sponsor now and previously working with CFCA Zamboanga Project as Assistant Project Coordinator for more than 10 years and now presently working here in Canada. I just had on hand my sponsored child second letter but a little of disappointment . I wrote her a letter but to may dismay her 2nd letter seems to be a welcome letter again.If only these kids would really write a letter coming from their heart like tellings stories regarding their summer vacation or anything happened within the last time she wrote a letter to me.That would feel more exciting and would encourage the sponsor to continue on sponsoring them.Her 2nd letter was about how old she is ,what grae is she now ,how siblings she has.I know that these kind of things was already mentioned on their welcome letters.I’m sorry about this I’m just suggesting for CFCA to be able to keep all the sponsors.
20. Stan Schenher | August 24, 2010 at 10:18 am
What percentage of funds is used on sponsoring children and families and what is used for administration? Thanks.
21. Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) | August 30, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Hi Stan,
Thank you for your question. In fiscal year 2009, total program support represents 94.2 percent of CFCA expenses, and includes both project funding (87.8 percent) and U.S.-based program support services to the projects and our sponsors (6.4 percent). Fundraising costs are 2.8 percent of expenses, with the remaining 3 percent used to fund general and administrative costs.
You can find more information about our financial stewardship report and charity ratings at http://www.cfcausa.org/aboutus/accountability.html.
Thanks!
Shanxi Omoniyi, web editor/writer
Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA)