Help An Orphan Project
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)
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What Is Help An Orphan?
Help an Orphan is designed to help older orphans (age 7+)
in the orphanage (not a hosting or adoption program).
Each orphan is matched to a family. We ask the family to send at least 2
parcels a year, and include a personal letter.
You can also send (to Life2Orphans
via Paypal or check) money for a birthday party (budget $50 to include all
the kids in the orphanage).
You are most welcome to send general donations to the orphanage too.
Other orphanages welcome more frequent parcels.
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What are the ages of children available for sponsorship?
The majority of the children are aged 7 to 17 years. We do not focus on the younger kids for the following reasons:
* Children in younger orphanages are generally not allowed to keep their own possessions.
* Younger children may struggle to understand the concept and it may create false expectations
* Pre-selection laws are applied more stringently to younger children - this program is designed to help the older orphans at the orphanage and is not an adoption program.
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When does the sponsorship end?
The sponsorship ends if you withdraw or if the child is adopted. If the child “ages out” of the orphanage you are welcome to sponsor their studies – we have a Vocational and College program.
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What information will I receive about my sponsored child?
We aim to provide:
* Child's first name (and where there is more than one child with the same name, the first letter of their surname)
* A photo
* Measurements (where possible, height, waist, chest, shoe, in seam)
* Some basic interests
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Is my sponsored child available for adoption?
Unfortunately we cannot disclose this information.
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Will I get updates or more photos?
When your parcel arrives we will email you:
* Take a digital photo of the child with your parcel
* A letter/picture from your child
NOTE: We will be receiving updates from each orphanage
at least once a month.
However, please keep in mind that it may take up to three months
from the time your parcel is sent to receive your feedback.
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Letters - how are these translated?
You are welcome to write in English - our volunteers will translate the letters. The letters sent from the children will also be translated for you.
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Can I request a specific child?
We will try and allocate you a child according to your age and gender preference. This is not always possible.
Sadly there are more boys that girls in the orphanage and we have more sponsors requesting girls too.
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Where is my child?
We currently run Help an Orphan at the following orphanages:
* Children's Hope, Kyiv (we ask families at this orphanage to pay $5 per month for school lunch for their child)
* Sevastopol Orphanage #2, Sevastopol
* Mykolaivka Internat, Donetsk Oblast (2005)
*Torez Special Needs Orphanage (2007)
NOTE: We will be receiving updates from each orphanage at least once a month.
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How many kids are at the orphanage?
This varies according to the orphanage. We currently run Help an Orphan at the following orphanages:
* Children's Hope, Kyiv, 50 kids
* Sevastopol Orphanage #2, Sevastopol, 100 kids
* Mykolaivka Internat, Donetsk Oblast (2005), 220 kids
* Torez Special Needs Orphanage (2007), 350 kids
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What should I include in my parcel?
These items should be included in every package sent:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Soap
Deodorant (for older children)
Feminine Hygene supplies (for older girls)
Some sort of clothing item (see below list for options)
A “fun” item (see below for options)
Some small treat for the child to share with the other children in their group (we suggest +-15 items)
Personal letter from you
These items are things that are needed by the children and could be included in your package*:
| Underwear | Shampoo | Crayons/Markers |
| Bras | Lip Balm | Paper/Coloring Books |
| Socks | Lotion | Art/Craft Supplies |
| Tights | Make Up | Puzzles |
| Shirts/Sweaters | Comb/Brush | Board Games |
| Pants/Shorts | Pens/Pencils | Dolls |
| Skirts/Dresses | Pencil Sharpener | Cars |
| Coats | Eraser | Sports Equipment |
| Hats/Scarves | Glue | Toys that don't need batteries |
| Mittens/Gloves | Pencil Case | Hair Ornaments |
| Pajamas | Backpack | Small Items for Caregiver Gifts |
v This is not a complete listing of items the children could need, but are some examples. You are not required to send all of the above items on this list, just pick a few you think your child would like and are personal from you.
These items are things that we have been requested not to send:
War or fighting toys
Food that may melt or spoil during shipment
Gum
Hair conditioner
Anything that may leak on route (please double-bag any shampoo)
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How can I learn more Life2Orphans?
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How do I ship my parcel to my child?
You send the parcel with a check and shipping form to the Nazarene Ministry of Help in Portland, Oregon. We have space in their warehouse and Megan, our Life2Orphans Director, goes into the mission weekly and dispatches the boxes to the orphanages.
NOTE: Please do NOT use the US postal service to send your parcels to Portland.
Please read our shipping instructions.
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What does it cost to ship a parcel to the orphanage from Portland?
Please check our shipping calculator.
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What should I send with my parcels when I send them to the mission?
Please complete a shipping form.
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Can I sponsor a birthday party for my child, buy them something special locally, etc?
You can Paypal money (or send a check) to Life2Orphans. We will ask our local volunteer to purchase the items.
How can I send food to the orphanage where my child is?
| Visit www.friendsfund.org, a USA-based online food store that enables you to order over 1000 food and household items and have them delivered to any address in Ukraine. Your purchase is considered a donation for tax purposes and you will receive a non-profit receipt. For instructions on how to send food to the orphanages click here. |
Why do you have Help an Orphan at these orphanages?
We have the necessary local volunteers to supervise the program.
Copyright © 2006 Life2Orphans, All Rights Reserved.
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