We select our target orphanage carefully
In 2013, we identified a small orphanage that was doing good work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It started with an email from a friend telling the story of 35 orphans being taken into the woods to hide from rebel soldiers.
Initially, we paid for the school fees and uniforms for the orphans. Over time, we expanded our support as we built a trusting relationship with the Grace Orphanage leadership team. In the long term, our goal is self-sufficiency for the orphanage. We connect with the orphanage director on a weekly basis, and get monthly updates on the children. We visit and inspect at least once every couple years (as the safety situation dictates) to ensure compliance. Visitors always pay their own travel costs.
Over the last 10 years, we helped built a permanent facility to house 46 orphans and a farm to grow vegetables, pigs and chickens. We have also constructed a Learning Centre that doubles as a meeting space/ dining room and widows training centre. https://www.iwof.ca/projects/reading-centre/
We support local solutions
It is through partnership that we learn from the local leaders the best way to support these vulnerable children, in the context of the local culture. We trust our local partners with their expertise to care for the children. IWOF maintains direction and control over the funds sent to Congo and we require regular reporting and accountability to all partners.
We forward 97% of funds we raise
We are a totally volunteer-run, Canadian registered charity, allowing us to forward over 97% of the funds donated. We have partnered with Grace Orphanage in eastern Congo with a great track record and that is very efficiently run. We have been part of a process that has seen children taken off the street, now in university preparing for a bright future.