Haitian Children's Home

Child Sponsorhip FAQs

What is the cost to sponsor a child?

The short answer is $32/month. The long answer is $160/month. Here’s how it all works out. The cost of care for each child per month is $160. We understand that not everyone is able to afford that kind of monthly payment, so we have structured our program so that each child has four $32/month sponsors. It is the Haitian Children’s Home policy that 100% of your money goes directly to meeting the needs of your child. It supplies him or her with food, clothing and shoes, education, salaries for the nannies who care for them, medical treatment, and housing costs including utilities, building maintenance, and various orphanage upgrades. All of the administrative costs associated with the program are covered by private donations and volunteer labor. While this does add to our administrative work, we find it’s a good way to do things. Not only does it give more individuals the opportunity to participate in giving, it lessons the financial strain on the Haitian Children’s Home should a sponsor determine that he or she is no longer able to participate in the sponsorship program.

Expense	Cost per month per child
Housing	$32.00
Food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc.	$40.00
Nanny Salary	$8.00
Tutor	$1.75
Housekeeper	$1.75
Tuition	$12.50
Electricity	$12.50
Propane (for cooking)	$7.50
Water	$9.00
Building Maintenance	$2.50
Medical	$5.00
School Supplies (Uniforms, school books, admission fees…)	$9.00
Staff Bonuses (Mandated by Haitian Law)	$1.25
Birthdays (party for your child on his or her birthday)	$1.04
Christmas	$4.17
Clothing	$5.00
Emergency fund (major medical or facility emergencies, etc.)	$7.04
Total	$160.00

Is my participation in this program tax-deductible?

Yes! You will receive a receipt every January to use for tax purposes for the previous calendar year.

How often will I receive updates on my child?

You will receive quarterly email updates with photos in February, May, August and November. You will receive an annual “snail mail” update with a photo and a copy of your child’s report card during the month of August.

Can I write letters to my child? Will he or she write me back?

Absolutely! We encourage you to be in contact with your child. Our children LOVE getting mail! Feel free to send letters and we encourage you to send photos of your family. You will receive responses from your children, but because of translation and mail delays, it may take several weeks to receive these responses. You can also send an email to your child at HCHKids@aol.com. Put your child’s name in the subject line.

I would prefer to pay one lump sum annually rather than monthly—is that an option?

Yes! We can set it up monthly, semi-annually, or annually.

Can I send gifts to my child?

You already are! As you can see above, part of our monthly budget for each child is a birthday and Christmas fund. Because our children live in close proximity to one another, we try to handle gift-giving occasions with a certain amount of equity. We give each child a party on his or her birthday with cake for everyone, homemade cards from all of their “brothers and sisters” in the orphanage, and a small gift. On Christmas, we have a similar party and each child gets 3 gifts: a pair of new shoes, one clothing item and one small toy. Additionally, we have an end-of-school party each year where we celebrate graduation to the next grade. We want these children to know that they are valued as a member of our Haitian Children’s Home family, and we believe that celebrating them individually on special occasions teaches them important lessons on how families function. In addition to this, you can send letters with flat gifts like stickers, paper dolls, temporary tattoos, photos, etc. Finally, you are always welcome to send community gifts that can be shared by all of the children in the orphanage. Popular items include soccer balls, inflatable rafts for the beach, hair beads, elastics and snaps, and craft supplies like string and beads to make jewelry. In order to pay for customs and shipping (from our US address to Haiti), for all parcels sent, please include a check for $3 per pound made out to Haitian Children’s Home.

What happens if I am no longer financially able to sponsor my child?

We understand that family dynamics change. Please just let us know and we will work to find a new sponsor for your child, no questions asked! You are still welcome to write letters to your child and stay in contact.

What happens if I miss a payment?

We understand that there are times when things get a little tighter financially; however, we are counting on sponsorship commitments to meet your child’s needs. If you miss a payment, simply resume the next month. If you are able to make two payments at once the next month, that would be great, but if not, that’s okay, just pick up with the new month.

Can I visit my child?

The Haitian Children’s Home offers short-term mission trips to Jacmel to work on various projects in and near the orphanage. Check out our Mission Trips page for more information on scheduling a trip.

How long do the children stay at the Haitian Children’s Home?

We’ve committed to caring and providing for these children through the completion of their high school education. However, high school education in Haiti is not like high school education in the United States. Our children attend Damou Christian School where they are educated not only in academics, but also life skills and a trade. We believe that our children will leave high school with the tools they need to support themselves and contribute to the community. The typical child in our care will complete high school in their mid-20’s.

Can I pay by electronic debit?

The Haitian Children’s Home is in the process of investigating a number of automated payment options. We will let you know when we are set up to do this in a safe and reliable way.

Who can I contact if I want more information?

If you have additional questions, please contact Gwenn Mangine, Child Sponsorship Coordinator, at gwenn@haitianchildrenshome.org.

I am not sure I can commit to a monthly payment. Are there other ways to give?

Yes. (Of course there are!) Check out our support page for more information.