Frequently Asked Questions
HOW IS MY MONTHLY GIFT USED?
Your gift is used to empower children and their community. Your contribution helps provide basic necessities that will help each child reach their given potential. This includes access to resources like clean water, healthy food, basic health care, educational opportunities, spiritual nurture, and economic development in the community. Your monthly gifts will be combined with those of others who sponsor children in the same area, so that all children will benefit. By combining funds, we ensure that all gifts entrusted to us have the maximum impact.
HOW DOES MY GIFT AFFECT THE COMMUNITY?
Your contribution will be used to benefit individuals as well as his/her community. Hope for MENA combines the 'Change a child's world' gifts to empower community-based projects that improve the well-being of the center, school or village. H4M has learned that one of the most effective ways of helping the children is by bettering the community as a whole. By combining gifts, H4M ensures that individuals and the community will benefit from these programs.
CAN I VISIT THE CHILD I AM EMPOWERING?
We are thrilled when a child meets their loving sponsor in person! Because of our dedication to child protection and the complexities of travel arrangements, we need to know of your desire to travel at least three months prior to your travel date. As a part of the process, a background check may be required. Once the visit is approved, we will assist you in making arrangements for your visit.
H4M is committed to protecting the security, privacy and dignity of the children whose parents/guardians and village leaders have graciously allowed them to be a part of our child empowerment programs. Our privacy and protection policies require us to only release limited information about each child.
The empowerment process is contingent upon your agreement, as a donor, that you will NOT in any way attempt to contact a child, his or her family or community members, in any manner other than that prescribed and permitted in advance in writing by H4M. This is to include, telephone calls or emails outside of the H4M 'Change a child's world program. Any unplanned visits to the child's residence and community are not permitted without oversight and written permission by H4M. In addition, all letters must be sent to “Change a child's world.”
Change a Child's World
3166 Caralee Drive Columbus,
Ohio, 43219, USA
Duplication of photos or other information on the web site whether through downloading or copying is strictly prohibited without the written permission of Hope for MENA.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF FAMILIES GOING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM?
The heart of this program is to bless the community as a whole and empower them with the understanding of their worth and value. We have a leaderships groups that facilitate the work of community members on small projects, using their own resources, such as growing fish and vegetables, handcrafting or starting a small business. Our key role is to facilitate discussions and help the community execute their own ideas for their villages. As these underprivileged communities gain self-confidence by completing projects, neighbours and other villagers begin to get involved in a organic way.
This process is intelligent community development, resulting in the empowerment of an entire community. As a result, their hearts soar and their mentalities change from worrying about immediate needs to long-term sustainability. As this model is refined, we will implement it in other bases in Africa and Middle East.
As a supporter, what do I get?
When you sponsor a child, you can exchange letters, photos and prayers. You can even choose to visit the child you sponsor. Children's info and photos will be updated on a regular bases on their online profile.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SEND A GIFT?
We suggest that you do not send physical gifts due to the 40% duty tax (on the value of the gift), charged to the recipient. If you would like to send an additional monetary gift, Children's Day (June 1st) and Christmas (December 25) are the perfect opportunities to do so! Both are fun times of celebration and there are thousands of smiling faces as each child receives a gift! If you would like to participate, please send your monetary gift a month prior to the celebration, noting what the gift goes towards. We have two ways to give: online or by cheque (sent to the address below). All monetary gifts will be combined to ensure that every child is celebrated!
ARE MY MONTHLY GIFTS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes, H4M is an integral part of Inspirational Ministries which is a registered 503 c3 non-profit organization in USA. Any gifts to Inspirational Ministries for 'Change a child's world' are deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please consult your tax advisor for information about your specific situation and country. A tax receipt will be sent to you annually. If you have any questions concerning your tax receipt please contact us: ministry@hopeformena.org
To whom do I make my check or money order payable?
Please make cheques or money orders payable to:
Inspirational Ministries
3166 Caralee Drive Columbus,
Ohio, 43219, USA
Memo: 'Change a child's world”
To ensure that the finances are designated appropriately.
HOW CAN I COMMUNICATE WITH THE CHILD I AM EMPOWERING?
- Keep your letters positive and encouraging, short and use simple vocabulary.
- Describe your family, home, pets, hobbies, sports, job/school, city and country, etc.
- Consider spending some time researching the country they are from as a basis to ask your questions.
- Ask them to teach you a few words in their language.
- Ask only a few questions at a time so they are not overwhelmed.
- Be sensitive to avoid sending pictures of material possessions, keeping in mind the difference in socioeconomic status between Western and developing cultures.
- Please do not suggest that the child should visit you.
- Please do not ask your child what kind of gifts he/she would like to receive. See section ‘What is the best way to send a gift?’ for more information.