Aug 10 2012

How we see success in the lives of families, part 4

Posted on August 10, 2012 by admin

This is the final post in our blog series about what success looks like for CFCA. Here are some goals of the Hope for a Family program, and stories that exemplify how those goals are being met worldwide. We hope it encourages you, as it does us, to see hope growing in families.

GOAL: We want to promote a culture of learning, within the program and in the world, adapting and changing as we learn and grow.

The CFCA Antipolo project in the Philippines is promoting a culture of learning through yearly evaluations with staff and sponsored friends.

Through shared learning with CFCA headquarters in Kansas, the project refined its assessment process and focused on program outcomes (changes and benefits experienced by program participants) in 2011.

The Antipolo project used this outcome measurement model to evaluate one of its socioeconomic programs ñ the Likas-Kayang Pagkain (LKP or Sustainable Food Program).

The program is designed to increase food security for families of sponsored friends through integrated strategies. Read more

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Jun 29 2012

How sponsorship helped change an orphan’s life

Posted on June 29, 2012 by admin

Rosemary is from Uganda and was orphaned at age 6.

After her parents passed away, she went to live with her uncle and his seven children.

“Coming from a humble background, my parents meant everything to me,î Rosemary said. ìAfter their death, it meant an end to everything, the good dresses and meals on Christmas, etc. The death of both my parents left me in shambles and my whole life was engulfed in misery.”

With the high cost of attending school, Rosemary had no hope that she would ever receive an education.

But when CFCA welcomed Rosemary into the program, her life completely changed.

Read the full story about Rosemary in Uganda.

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May 29 2012

Sponsorship helps families afford school, part 1

Posted on May 29, 2012 by admin

Because education is so effective in helping families build a path out of poverty, the Hope for a Family program places a high priority on the education benefit.

Children and youth who are of school age are eligible for CFCA sponsorship as long as they are in school.

Rachel, CFCA sponsored child in Kenya, with her new school uniform

Rachel, sponsored as a child through CFCA, has a new school uniform provided by money saved from her sponsorship account.

Parents in the CFCA program accept this requirement and work hard to keep their children in school. They are committed to helping their children reach their educational goals.

“Many parents of sponsored children didn’t have the opportunity to complete their own education,” said Dan Pearson, CFCA director of international programs. “They want their kids to have more choices and better opportunities that come with a more complete education.”

However, the greatest barrier to education for families in the CFCA program is the cost. That includes direct costs, such as tuition, books and supplies.

It also includes the hidden cost of lost family income when a teenager continues in school instead of working full time.

The families CFCA serves live on very narrow margins. Costs such as bus fare or uniforms can have a very large impact on their lives.

“Sponsorship widens those margins and gives families a little more breathing space, which allows them to keep their kids in school longer,” Pearson said.

During the next few weeks, we’ll present several examples of how sponsorship empowers families to support their children’s education. Today we take a closer look at Kenya. Read more

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May 7 2012

Sponsored aging friend creates beauty with beadwork

Posted on May 7, 2012 by admin

By Regina Mburu, CFCA communications liaison in Kenya

Beadwork by CFCA sponsored aging friend in Kenya

Leah, 72, sponsored through CFCA in Kenya, has learned how to make beautiful jewelry from wastepaper. She also weaves baskets for a living.

At 72 years old, Leah is loving life ñ enough to learn two whole new trades.

Leah has been sponsored through the CFCA program in Kenya since 2003. Recently she has taken up basket weaving and making jewelry out of recycled wastepaper.

“This work keeps me so busy that I forget any problems I might be having,” she says. “You know when you are busy, you don’t fall sick.”

It wasn’t always this easy for Leah. She has seven children, three of whom have passed away, and 18 grandchildren.

Leah’s husband died in 1977, leaving her to take care of the seven children.

At that time Leah worked as a hospital cleaner, and her earnings were not enough to provide for her family.

“My neighbors saw my plight, and they introduced me to the CFCA Hope for a Family program,” Leah said. Read more

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