How to set up an Email Foster Parent Program

1. Honesty and integrity of the orphanage director and staff
2. A genuine need, desire and understanding of the program by the director and staff
3. Have at least one staff member who can speak English, has basic computer skills and be willing to translate email letters for the children and their foster parents
4. A computer, email service and digital camera (Although we provided the digital camera for them)

I visited six orphanages before finding one that met the above criteria. This was quite the interesting and emotional experience as you can imagine. Orphanages are typically run by the state, religious orders or just big-hearted humanitarians.

Orphanages can be located through the Internet, government human service agencies, religious groups, local service agencies, or non-government organizations.
 

Ideally you will choose a country you have some affinity for that you would enjoy visiting each year or so and continue to learn about.
 
Once you have selected your orphanage you need to make sure the director is clear on the concept of the program:

1. All the foster parent money is to go directly towards the child’s welfare. Support for the two orphanages we support is $300 a year per child.
2. Children (with the help of their translator) must email in English (assuming that is your native tongue) to their foster parents on a consistent basis. Our kids email a minimum of once per month.
3. Emailing with their foster parents is an excellent way for the kids to improve their English and computer skills as well as build their confidence and self-esteem.
4. A monthly or quarterly expenditure report must be submitted to you by the director.
5. A monthly report should be emailed to you on news of the overall well-being of the children and operation of the orphanage.

Once the above has been made very clear with the orphanage director, verbally and in writing, they are to provide you with biographies and pictures of each of the children.

Ideally you will have a non-profit foundation (501c3) you are able to use to have your foster parents contributions flow through. One may be available through a service club or church you belong to or you can create one specifically for this purpose. This will allow your contributions to be tax deductible and give you added credibility. Your attorney or an attorney friend may help you set one up for little or now cost once you explain to them what it is to be used for.
 

Initially I did not use a foundation but once the program took off it was obvious that one was needed. The Rotary Club I belong to had a 501c3 tax deductible foundation set up which we are using for the program: The Honolulu Sunrise Rotary Foundation.