FAQ
Matthew 25:40
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
A: Warm Blankets Orphan Care, Intl. (link) is a non-profit Christian mission, dedicated to the rescue and care of orphans and widows in
the developing world. Our mission is to restore the lives of orphans in partnership with churches, corporations, organizations, and
individuals who have a passion to help needy, parentless children. We provide holistic care to orphans in the context of a family
environment; through our effective Church/Home Model (link), they are raised to be Disciples of Christ and leaders in their generation.
A: Church Orphan Homes are a response to the typical orphanage. Rather than a sprawling, dingy, isolated institution, WBOCI Church
Orphan Homes are designed to develop a family atmosphere. The buildings are planned for multiple purposes. As the name suggests,
each building serves as both a church and a home. The children's safety is our main concern, so sleeping and privacy quarters for the
children and caregivers are strictly separated from the public areas. Usually, the church operates on the first floor, while the children live
upstairs. The public area is not limited to church services. At times, it serves the community as a training center and temporary medical
treatment facility.
A: Visiting Church Orphan Homes and serving there is one of main activities on many short term mission trips WBOCI plans each year. All
are welcome; however, the safety and emotional stability of our children requires a basic background checkup for all first time applicants.
Therefore before you'll start making plans to go, please make sure to contact one of our mission team leaders or advisors .
A: The church also serves as a community center in the area. The children who were once abandoned and alone are now at the core of
social activity in their village. Since orphans do not have biological parents to raise them and be role models, the relationships the children
experience through the church play a vital role in their development.
A: It is vital that you understand and are confident that 100% of the money you send is going directly to the Church Orphan Home you are
supporting. None of it goes to cover overhead costs; your contributions are purely dedicated to your group’s Church Orphan Home. Warm
Blankets Orphan Care International is committed to giving you the opportunity to see the extraordinary return on one of the greatest
investments you will ever make. To make this possible we work with other generous contributors and foundations that provide support for
WBOCI.
A: Warm Blankets Orphan Care International is a 501 (c)3 charitable organization recognized by the IRS. All gifts are tax-deductible to the
extent allowed by law. Whether or not your gifts are deductible on your tax return may depend on your own financial situation and the tax
form you use.
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We are ranked in the top 10% of charities by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
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Certified by the Better Business Bureau.
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Given four stars (the highest possible rating) by Charity Navigator.
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Have received the Presidential Points of Light Award.
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Other awards and certification include: Christian Service Charities, Combined Federal Campaign, and Guide Star.
A: Remember, 100% of the money you send is going directly to the Church Orphan Home you are supporting - no exceptions! Your
monthly support provides:
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Food for the children and caregivers
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Education, including school fees and supplies
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Operational costs related to the home, including repairs, maintenance, etc
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Routine medical and dental care
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Bible education
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Vocational training
A: Small groups of individuals partner with Warm Blankets Orphan Care International to provide for all the needs of orphaned children in a
Church Orphan Home. WBOCI will build the Church Orphan Home, rescue the orphans, and help them get stabilized. We also find, train,
and provide continuing support for the home parents. Groups care for orphans in a specific Church Orphan Home through monthly
financial support, prayer, and community advocacy. Your involvement can be as deep as you’d like to make it.
Once you have formed your group, you will:
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Establish your monthly financial support goal and make monthly pledges;
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Stay informed about your home through your Advisor;
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Pray for the children and caregivers in your home.
Once your group has reached your financial goal, you may consider getting more involved in these ways:
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Taking a trip to your group’s Church Orphan Home to meet the children for whom you are caring;
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Service projects, such as a book or toy drive, to provide for extra needs of the children;
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Sharing the vision with others, who may want to develop Small Group Program of their own.
A: You can always visit your Church Orphan Home’s websites and see pictures of the kids and caregivers, as well as family photos. This is a
great way to better understand the children’s everyday lives. When you become a particular Church Orphan Home sponsor, we will be glad
to provide you with picture updates even before they will go through the publishing process.
A: We understand that circumstances and, sometimes, changes in your financial situation are out of your control. In this case, contact your
Advisor to press the “pause” button on your monthly giving. You”ll still be a part of your group and you can press the “play” button to
resume your giving when you are ready.
If you need to stop supporting this home altogether, we will look for another small group.
A: We want your group to be as connected as possible with your Church Orphan Home. Please let your Advisor know if you want to be
updated about special needs and emergency situations at your home. Your group can determine how you want to take action in these
circumstances.
A: Warm Blankets Orphan Care International rescues and cares for orphans in some of the most desperate places on earth. War, genocide,
natural disasters, and disease claims millions of lives often leaving children behind with no one to care for them. We rescue children from
refugee camps, garbage dumps, the streets, disaster areas, - and worse. We provide them with emergency care and stability while we try
to reunite them with their families. When there is no family, we welcome them into a Church Orphan Home where we provide permanent
care in a family environment.
A: The pastor of the church and his wife usually live in the Church Orphan Homes as home parents. We also welcome widows from the
community to be care-givers in Church Orphan Home families. We cannot really take credit for this idea. Throughout the Bible we see
orphans and widows together and the church caring for them. It just makes sense. the orphans and widows need each other. They have
experienced similar loss, grief, and needs. They help each other recover and heal.
A: Just like your children, these kids have different needs and develop at different paces. It puts unnecessary stress on the children and
inhibits a family environment if they are forced to leave on their 18th birthday. They need to know this is family committed to them and
their individual situation.
In some of our homes, college-age kids still come home to do their laundry on the weekends, or for big holiday celebration once or twice a
year. We have had young adults learn how to fix cars, sew beautifully, attend classes to become a teacher, and even start their own Church
Orphan Home!
A: We would love for you to finally meet ‘your’ kids! Whether you ever meet them or not, you are a significant presence in their lives. You
and your team are literally helping to save and transform their lives. This is your chance to “visit the orphans and widows in their distress”
(James 1:27) and experience the sheer joy of generosity. Contact your WBOCI Advisor for details.
A: Once your group has reached your financial goal, you may consider getting more involved in these ways:
•
Taking a trip to your group’s Church Orphan Home to meet the children for whom you are caring
•
Service projects, such as a book or toy drive, to provide for extra needs of the children
•
Sharing the vision with others who may want to develop a Small Group Program of their own.