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What is the FARA Child Sponsorship Program?
The FARA Child Sponsorship Program is the arm of the FARA organization that aims to provide financial, material and spiritual aid to children in the East African countries of Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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How did FARA begin and what is its current status?
The Uganda Child Sponsorship Program was established in 1988 in Uganda and Canada with a challenge presented to a friend of Canadian Missionary Colleen Stevenson to start a child sponsorship program to help meet the great need of children in Uganda. Thus, one little boy was sponsored and gradually more children were added as other sponsors were acquired.
This program developed under the mission board of the Church of God in Eastern Canada and the first sponsor became the program coordinator. In 1997 the first review trip was made to Uganda and the coordinator gained first-hand knowledge of the desperate need and opportunity to provide hope for the children. The program is also a great way to provide an avenue for Canadians to significantly engage in missions to help the poor, impoverished families in Uganda.
The Program was gradually developed and expanded to include D.R. Congo and South Sudan and regular review trips occurred every 2-3 years. The name of the program was changed to Furaha Child Sponsorship Program. The program celebrated 30 years of service in 2019. The Church of God in Eastern Canada stopped the oversight of the Furaha Child Sponsorship Program at the end of 2020. The Furaha Africa Relief Association (FARA) charity was formed in 2021 and it initiates projects in East Africa (Uganda, South Sudan, DR Congo and Rwanda). These projects include the Child Sponsorship Program and projects to improve and provide for life’s necessities for the impoverished. Sponsorship numbers have been maintained around 300 for the last few years with children exiting out of the program and others coming in.
FARA is a charity registered in Canada - Charity Registration No. 73870 0335 RR0001
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Is FARA affiliated with any church or denomination?
FARA continues to partner with the Church of God in East Africa. It is no longer sponsored by the Church of God in Eastern Canada but it remains in good standing with the Church of God in Canada.
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How can I support FARA?
You may support FARA in several ways.
- a) Provide financial support to a child through our Child Sponsorship Program. The funds assist with child sponsorships, special needs of sponsor children and contribute for annual gifts for each of the program's children. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, you are required to submit an application form. Following the organization’s review and approval of your application, you will be sent information on one of the children waiting to join the program or a child presently in the program who needs a new sponsor. You will receive a child's background information and correspondence from the child a .minimum of once a year. Generally included is a photo, a letter and sometimes a report card.
- b) Pray for FARA, its leaders, the children, their families and the missionaries.
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How much does it cost to sponsor a child? What does the sponsorship fee cover?
Regular support costs $ 36/month to sponsor one child and includes birthday and Christmas gifts.
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Does the sponsorship fee cover all the education costs of the child?
It covers a significant portion of the child’s education costs. Each child receives a base amount and they are also granted additional support as their grades and needs increase. Additionally, a small percentage of the fee is directed towards the education systems whenever end-level exams are given, a requirement before the child can move onto the next level of education. The monthly financial contributions also support the purchasing of school uniforms, as well as certain medical and other relief needs.
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Can the children access additional fees?
Younger children will not need the total amount of the sponsor fee in the beginning but as they progress their fee requirements increase and the funds that have been sent in for their support will be ready for use, as needed. The child’s family also will provide some support, if it is able, but the program also has a special needs fund which receives donations to help with these extras. Administration funds may be used to support needs outside of regular program support.
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Will the cost increase as the child grows up?
No, the monthly sponsorship fee remains the same for the child as long as the child is in the program. However, additional expenses may be supplemented from the special needs monies, if necessary. These funds are available for any child in the program that needs assistance in this way.
So long as the child has a sponsor, the Program endeavors to support them through their education which may include a post-secondary education (college, university or a trade school).
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How much of my sponsor fee goes to the administration of the program?
Approximately 3% of the sponsorship fee is retained by the Canadian office for administration, the remainder is forwarded to Africa for the program of which approximately 10% is used by the office in Kampala for administration.
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What specific benefits will the sponsored child receive?
The FARA Child Sponsorship Program provides funds for each child's education and assistance as needed for relief such as food, clothing, basic medical needs, transport, vocational start up, etc.
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How are children chosen for the FARA Child Sponsorship Program?
The Program’s administrators have a set of criteria for identifying and confirming that a child or children require support. A child may be discovered in a dire situation or alternatively, someone within their network may request assistance. The needs and circumstances of each child are validated by contacting government officials, social workers and church leaders in the area.
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What is expected of me as a sponsor of a child in the FARA Child Sponsorship Program?
A sponsor provides regular funding to enable a child to join the program and the child will then receive the Program’s benefits (i.e. education, medical support, annual gifts and other relief). It is requested that the sponsor try to correspond with the child a minimum of once per year. Additionally, the sponsor can also pray for the child and their family. Sponsors will be given opportunities to contribute towards other special needs funds and projects but participation in these promotions is not a requirement of the sponsorship program.
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Will I be the only person sponsoring the child I'm helping?
Children are assigned to one sponsor. Sponsorships occur in various ways: by individuals; by groups/organizations/networks who share the cost of sponsoring a child. Even if you are sponsoring a child individually, others may contribute money to support other needs of the Program expenses for the child.
If for some reason payments have been delayed for an extended time and funds are needed to enable the child to continue in the Program - the child's support will then be supplemented by those who donate to the Program's General Fund.
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Will I always have the same child?
The sponsor may continue with the same child as long as the child is enrolled in the Program and continues to meet the Program’s criteria and the sponsor continues with their commitment to support the child. If a child exits the Program, the sponsor may be assigned another child.
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If I must discontinue my sponsorship, what happens to the child I sponsor?
Please notify the FARA Child Sponsorship Program as soon as possible if you are planning to leave the program so a new sponsor can be assigned to enable the child to continue in the Program. In this instance, if you know of someone who might be willing to assume your sponsorship, please let us know.
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How long will a sponsorship last?
Sponsorship of a child lasts until the child has completed their education at whatever level it is pursued. It could be secondary, post-secondary, or technical schooling. If the individual sponsored completes schooling or training, moves out of the supervision area, gets married or refuses to cooperate with reporting, they will exit the program and the sponsor will be assigned a new child.
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Are there other ways to support FARA other than through child sponsorship?
Yes, donations may be made to the general fund, or to special needs funds, or projects. The funds will be used as designated or where determined by the Board of Directors according to our Stewardship Policy.
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How can I communicate with the child I sponsor?
Communication with the sponsored child may be done by the sponsor sending mail to the sponsorship office in Kasubi, Kampala. Do not include your last name or address on items that will go to the child as communication needs to occur through the FARA offices.
[Child's name and number]
c/o Colleen Stevenson
P.O.Box 1353
Kampala, Uganda, E.A.
Alternatively, you may also send your correspondence via email through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and it will be forwarded accordingly.
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Will I receive correspondence from/about my sponsor child?
Yes, when you join the Program you will be sent the background information page, which includes a photo of the child. Moving forward, the goal is for the sponsor to annually receive a communication that includes a photo, a letter and a school report. Some children write more frequently than others and children who are in remote areas communicate less frequently.
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May I send material gifts directly to my child?
No, please direct all correspondence and personal gifts through the sponsorship office at Kasubi and it will be distributed to the child. Small gifts for birthdays may be sent in a small bubble package.
Communication with the sponsored child may be done by the sponsor sending mail to the sponsorship office in Kasubi, Kampala. Do not include your last name or address on items that will go to the child as communication needs to occur through the FARA offices.
[Child's name and number]
c/o Colleen Stevenson
P.O.Box 1353
Kampala, Uganda, E.A.
Alternatively, you may also send your correspondence via email through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and it will be forwarded accordingly.
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Is there anything I cannot send to my sponsored child?
Please do not send money or large parcels that require duty payments on the receiving end
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How do I respond to requests for money from the sponsor child?
If you receive such a request do not feel obligated to respond to these. Support they receive through the Program provides significant assistance.
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As a sponsor, how else can I learn about the child I am helping?
You may reach out directly to FARA regarding the child's situation. Our sponsorship office will endeavour to provide the requested information, where appropriate.
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May I visit my child?
The FARA Child Sponsorship Program will endeavour to work with sponsors to visit their sponsor child/children as mission trips are planned. Please contact FARA for more information.
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Why does FARA place so much emphasis on helping children?
The Word of God instructs us to care for the needy, the widows, the orphans, the poor and our neighbors. In Africa, there are so many orphans, half-orphans and families in need of support. As an organization, we recognize that we cannot help everyone, however, we are blessed to be in the position to support some. Through sponsorship we can make a difference in a child’s world and what opportunities they will have with an education and spiritual development, in developing a vocation and skills to make a living.
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How important is prayer in sponsorship?
Prayer is vitally important - prayer for the families and the children in the program; prayer for the leaders and workers; prayer for financial needs for the various special needs guides the entire purpose and execution of the program.
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Must I hold and practice specific Christian beliefs to sponsor a child through FARA?
No. Anyone may join the program but it must be understood that the program is operated by a Christian organization.
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Are my contributions to FARA, including my sponsorship support and gifts, tax-deductible?
Contributions for projects within this program are tax-deductible. Additional personal gifts given or sent for specific individuals are not eligible for charitable tax receipts.
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How does FARA ensure that my support actually benefits the child/children I sponsor?
FARA has developed a number of governance practices to ensure the benefits of the Program are carried out appropriately. For example, activities are validated and monitored by on-site visits of the Canadian Coordinator and/or a Member every two or three years. A program agreement (with CRA requirements) is in place with the Program Director Agent in Africa.
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Can I see a copy of FARA’s most recent audited financial statement?
The charity files an annual report of its activities with the Canada Revenue Agency. Information is available at www.canada.ca/charities-giving. You may also direct inquiries to the Treasurer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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What is the policy if a program is over-funded or discontinued?
Funds designated for an approved and specified project, ministry or program will be used for that project, ministry or program. However, when any such project, ministry or program need has been adequately met, or where such project, ministry or program cannot reasonably be carried out in a timely manner, the donor agrees that such designated funds may be used as and where needed by Furaha Africa Relief Association (FARA). Redistribution of the funds will be approved by the FARA Board of Directors.
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Where can I find an application form to get a sponsorship or support a project?
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How do I find out about projects and how to support them?
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What is FARA’s Privacy Policy?
Our Privacy Policy is available HERE.
