From Faith to Action - Faith to Action Initiative

If You Are Considering Funding an Orphanage…Evaluate the orphanage for careful admission procedures andbasic standards of care (see Resources). Ask if every effort ismade to fi nd living relatives before a child is admitted. Workin partnership with the orphanage to encourage and fundefforts to transition children to family care and to strengthencommunity ties. Help ensure developmentally appropriatecare and protection from abuse. Be sensitive to the fact thatsending large groups of volunteers to serve as “rotating staff”can interfere with children’s need for consistent caregivers.I was visiting an orphanage that received frequentvisits from American and British churches.Throughout my stay, children of all ages wereseeking emotional and physical attention fromoutsiders such as myself — holding our hands andsometimes clinging to us. I was concerned becausechildren who have formed healthy attachments areusually more cautious of strangers. I also worriedabout how easily children that have grown upwith a succession of temporary caregivers might beexploited.~Geoff Foster, pediatrician, ZimbabweA Donor’s Perspective:Shifting to a More Community-Based ApproachSave Africa’s Children/Pan African Children’s Fund was foundedin 2001 by Bishop Charles E. Blake, pastor of the Church of God inChrist in Los Angeles, California. The church has over 25,000 activemembers and is one of the largest African-American faith-basedorganizations providing direct support to African children orphanedand affected by HIV/AIDS. Initially, Save Africa’s Children focusedits grantmaking on supporting orphanages, primarily because thefunding requests it received were from individuals and organizationsinvolved in institutional care. Over the past three years, Save Africa’sChildren has shifted toward a more community-based approach,both in their overall funding program and in the specifi c requeststhat they receive. Executive Director Diana Aubourg says, “As a donororganization, Save Africa’s Children has become keenly aware of the needto partner with sustainable efforts that draw from the resources locatedwithin the community.”In 2005, a range of grassroots initiatives were funded, includingchurches and community-based organizations that run feedingprograms, community schools, day care centers, home-based care,and income-generating programs for caregivers of orphans andvulnerable children. Save Africa’s Children still provides some fundsto residential care programs, but seeks to support institutions thatstrengthen families and support communities.When orphanages step up familyplacements and engage incommunity outreach, they oftenrequire additional donor support.Their shift in focus requiresadditional staffi ng, training, andprogram services. Once childrenare relocated into the community,the costs to support them aregreatly reduced.23