Every beneficiary of our program is connected to a donor family in the United States, Canada or beyond. Every level of interaction between families are encouraged from writing letters, purchasing gifts or hand delivery of those personal gifts to each family. You can visit your sponsored family’s home and get to know them up close and personal. All these opportunities create the foundation for a one on one connection with someone you are directly impacting with your donation. Poverty is suddenly right in front of us, seen and not hidden. And while our first mission’s intention was transforming widows and orphans in Africa, we have seen the same occur in those donors who make the most of their connection with their sponsored family.

Often the people we work closely with are rescued from dire circumstances. These individuals are isolated from their communities without food or appropriate clothing. They are sickly, illiterate, fearful, starving, unclothed and exhausted. Often, they have sold themselves in manual or sexual labor to attempt to feed their children. The lowest rung of society, they are either invisible or shunned to and by others. When they enter the program, their introduction into community is when they are ushered into a bank and open their very own bank account. As they receive their direct deposit from their donor and new friend, they are often bewildered by the gift of welcome into decent society. They are drawn into savings associations through the organization, church and being a part of that fellowship, as well as relationships with caseworkers and individuals who want to see them succeed. There is joy where there was once sorrow. Physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally; the lost are now found.

One of the most shocking results of the AFR Family Sponsorship Program is the palpable change of spirit within our widows and orphans. Prior to the program, they do leave their huts unless it is necessary to find food or water every two to three days. Otherwise, they stay in their shelter naked, hungry and infested by disease. Living like animals, these individuals barely speak and are terrified of others. They fear that their children will be taken from them and that they will be kicked out of the small place they reside. Once they begin receiving sponsorship and paying for a rented room and food, a light comes on in them! They stand taller and speak with more confidence. They smile and laugh again like the other humans around them. Dignity is something that is restored in their lives and it is visible!

Individuals supported through donors like you are not given hope as a gift, they have been reaching out for it every day and grab hold of it because their life depends on it! Hope is simple; it could be a meal or to sleep safely under a mosquito net, but usually it comes in the form of a smile and human intervention. Each individual in our program is valued whether they are young or old, impacted by HIV or war, mentally disabled or believe in faiths different from our own. The program is designed to bring change to a family not only during 36 months of sponsorship, but for years to come. We challenge our families to work hard and create ways to provide for themselves and become self-sustainable.