We are pleased to offer a limited number of opportunities to build a relationship with a child at AHP's Refugee Orphan Home at Buduburam through our Orphan Sponsorship Program. Sponsors will committ to regular donations to cover the costs of supporting their assigned child - about $75 USD per month - and will have the opportunity to receive photo and letter updates, post comments*, and receive messages* through our secure, online Orphan Profile Centre (beta). In this way, the sponsor-orphan relationship is mutually beneficial, which we hope will develop into a life-long friendship.

Scroll down for details on what services a sponsorship provides, the cost, how to sign up, and what is expected of our sponsors.

Below you can see all of our children and youth, their ages, and whether or not they have been linked with a sponsor. Siblings are placed next to one another. In the case of young adults, they are on a limited support basis that includes shelter and scholarship, and medical care for life-threatening illnesses.

How to Become a Sponsor:

The process for becoming a sponsor will require about 20 minutes of your time over a few days, as follows:

1. Contact us by email or phone to let us know of your desire to become a sponsor. During this communication we will select your sponsored child with your input (view unsponsored children below). Please allow 1-2 days for email reply.
2. Fill out the Sponsorship Form and return to us by fax or email. Included is the option to donate by monthly automatic credit/debit card payment. For budgeting purposes it is preferred that, where possible, sponsorship donations be made on a monthly rather than annual basis.
3. Upon approval of your new Sponsorship by email, create a new Sponsor Account in our Orphan Profile Centre (beta). This will give you access to the child's details and history, and will eventually allow you to receive updates and communicate with the child upon logging in.
4. Upon approval of your new Sponsor Account, log in to the Orphan Profile Centre (beta) and upload at least one photo of yourself/family. Also post an introductory message* to the child's profile, and take time to learn more about your sponsored child by viewing their Orphan Profile (beta).

Evon Dennis - 16 (TO WJ CJ)
Sponsor: Atkin Family

Princess Dennis - 11
Sponsor: Melinda

Isatu Sillah - 17
Sponsor: Helm Family

Mohammed Sillah - 15
Sponsor: Helm Family

DeConte W. Doe - 9
Sponsor: Jan J. (TO)

Diana Alice Doe - 15
Sponsor: Jan J. (TO)

Arikton Maidawa - 16
Sponsor: Greg J. (mc)

Felecia Feeler - 11
Sponsor: Erik & Amy A.

Jefferline Davis - 13
Sponsor: Jordan & Rachael D.

Tito Appeton - 15
Sponsor: Shanna & Janna (mc)

Promise Whyee - 13
Sponsor: Vibeke T. (JA)

Adam Kamara - 14
Sponsor: Chris & Amanda J.

Glicia Duncan - 16
Sponsor: Summer & Jon L.

Winner Angelina Duncan - 13
Sponsor: Summer & Jon L.

Barbara Vannie - 13
Sponsor: Mountainville Academy

Hector Elliott - 13
Sponsor: Kathy & Dave W. (JJ)

Babygirl Barlee - 16
Sponsor: Petree/Smiley Family

Temoh Barlee - 13
Sponsor: Rachelle B.

Blama Shirieff - 14
Sponsor: Keith R.

Watter Simone Shirief - 11
Sponsor: Keith R.

Eric Paye - 16
Sponsor: Dibon Rythym Troupe

Moses Paye - 11
Sponsor: Dibon Rythym Troupe

Bintu Sowah Paye - 7
Sponsor: Dibon Rythym Troupe

Varfolay Sesay - 21
Sponsor Varfolay's appreticeship in African drum carving!

Beauty Sneh - 17
Repatriated with Foster Family
May 2011

Calvin Johnson - 15
Placed with foster family
Dec 2011, Accra

Stephani Mahane Flore - 13
Placed with foster family
May 2010, Ivory Coast.

Melaine Mahane - 17
Placed with foster family
May 2010, Ivory Coast.

Victoria Mulbah - 11
Placed with foster family
April 2010, Buduburam.

TutuGirl Damenda - 16
Placed with foster family
February 2011, Buduburam

How Sponsor Donations are Used and Monthly Cost

$75usd per month will provide the following for each of our orphans:

• Full time education & uniform at respected local school;
• Three meals per day and clean water (most costly budget item is food)
• Medical care (including preventive education and care)
• Physical infrastructure (rent, utilities, cooking supplies, generator, fans, chairs, etc...)
• Full time matron, cook, and administrative staff
• Hygiene supplies, clothing, bedding, recreational items
• Organized classes at the AHP Vocational Training Center (est. May 2010) to learn income-generating skills such as baking, sewing, cooking, soap making, craft making, art, and agriculture.
• Performing group rehearsals
• Individual birthday gift and Christmas party & gifts
• Clothing
• Contingency fund for unexpected emergencies or expenses

How to Become a Sponsor:

The process for becoming a sponsor will require about 20 minutes of your time over a few days, as follows:

1. Contact us by email or phone to let us know of your desire to become a sponsor. During this communication we will select your sponsored child with your input (view unsponsored children below). Please allow 1-2 days for email reply.
2. Fill out the Sponsorship Form and return to us by fax or email. Included is the option to donate by monthly automatic credit/debit card payment. For budgeting purposes it is preferred that, where possible, sponsorship donations be made on a monthly rather than annual basis.
3. Upon approval of your new Sponsorship by email, create a new Sponsor Account in our Orphan Profile Centre (beta). This will give you access to the child's details and history, and will eventually allow you to receive updates and communicate with the child upon logging in.
4. Upon approval of your new Sponsor Account, log in to the Orphan Profile Centre (beta) and upload at least one photo of yourself/family. Also post an introductory comment* to the child's profile, and take time to learn more about your sponsored child by viewing their Orphan Profile (beta).

What is Expected of Sponsors^:

Sponsors play three important roles with the Refugee Orphan Home, including financial benefactor, mentor/friend, and networker.

• Financial Benefactor: By becoming a Sponsor you are commiting to make regular, fixed donations to cover the costs of supporting the orphan child. Please read above to see which important servcies your donation will provide. It currently costs us on average about $75 USD to provide for one child at the Home.
• Mentor & Friend: Through sponsorship we are hoping to gain for the child an additional source of caring interest in his/her growth and development; somebody she knows who cares about her life, who wishes to share of their lives with her. Of course each sponsor's situation is unique, and each child's needs and abilities are unique, so we expect that this aspect of sponsorship will develop organically, within the structure we have provided. We envision that twenty years from now sponsors and (grown up) children will still have a postive sharing relationship with each other, independent of AHP. There is no expectation that financial support will continue after the child eventually leaves the Orphan Home (age 18-20).
• Networker: We know that kind-hearted people like you also have like-hearted friends and family. We want you to help them find Africa Heartwood Project, so they too can have the opportunity to be involved in making a real difference through supporting AHP's meaningful, small-scale humanitarian and development projects. Please join us on Facebook and consider posting our postings on your profile, read (and forward) emails that come from us, and otherwise invite others to get involved.

^If you feel you would like to make a monthly donation, but do not wish to participate as a mentor or networker, we still need you! There are individuals who are unable to contribute financially, but would like to fill the role of "official" mentor/friend. In this case we would customize a sponsorship to meet the needs of both sponsor and child.

*Limitations:

As caretakers of our orphan children we are obligated to ensure their safety and equality of opportunity. With this in mind, there are certain restrictions we have put in place to make sure all of the children have a positive experience as beneficiares of the Sponsorship Program. All communications between sponsors and children must be monitored by AHP, as much for the protection of the sponsor as the child. Direct email communication is not permitted with the children, but posting of messages in the Orphan Profile Centre is encouraged. Mailing packages or letters, and phone calls are also permitted, but you'll need to contact us first. Any items you wish to send to the Home must equally benefit all children, not just your sponsored child. In-person contact with any of the children will always be public, in the presence of 2 of our staff members at the Home.