Relief Programs

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Many years ago, Journeys of the Heart established an international relief fund, called the "Love the Children Fund", to help the children left behind. These are children living in orphanages, on the streets, or simply living in poverty in countries where Journeys has programs. While thousands of children are adopted into American homes each year, thousands more are left behind with little hope of being adopted.

The fund is maintained through charitable contributions which go directly to the orphanage, child, child's family or school - providing goods, services, or medications that Journeys' staff or representatives are able to supply. Some funds may also be used to keep adoptions affordable for more families, or to help facilitate the adoption of older or special needs children. All donated funds go to actual assistance with nothing going to administrative services.

The Love the Children Fund is an independently-audited account whose 501 (c)(3) Donations, funds, and charitable works are kept separate from Journeys of the Heart's general accounts and operations. 501 (c)(3) Donations are tax deductible and receipts are given.

Here's some of what the Love the Children Fund has accomplished:

IN CHINA

The fund has helped purchase numerous cribs, and heating/air-conditioning units for orphanages in the southeastern provinces of China, where many children await adoption. Orphanage officials have identified these temperature-control units as their most pressing need. Few Chinese orphanages have indoor temperature control, and outside temperatures often range from about 28 degrees in the winter to 105 degrees in the summer. These temperature extremes can last for three months each season, resulting in respiratory diseases, heat rashes or other illness for the children.

Donors have also provided schooling for eight older girls living in a Hunan orphanage. During a recent visit to Chinese orphanages, David Slansky, Journeys' Director of International Programs, met some older girls who may never be adopted. These girls were not attending school, so Journeys found families to sponsor their education.

Other orphanage 501 (c)(3) Donations included music tapes and cassette players, washing machines, water purifiers, clothing, office equipment, and tutoring for some of the older children. Journeys always asks the orphanage directors to help us shop for the goods they need most.

In addition to the projects funded through the LCF, every group of families that travels to China contributes toward improving the conditions in their child's orphanage. Many generous 501 (c)(3) Donations have been made, including the purchase of heating and air-conditioning units, children's clothing, washing machines, dryers, water purifiers, and cribs.

IN GUATEMALA

The fund has helped purchase text books, dictionaries, reference books and other educational materials, as well as cleaning supplies and play equipment for schools in six indigenous communities in the Western Highlands. In many cases, these were the first reference books, and the first color books, the children ever had. The fund also helped vaccinate several hundred children in the same communities for worms and parasites. In recent years the fund has purchased 10,000 notebooks a year which were distributed to 2,500 school children in the mountainous region of Colombia. Without textbooks, these notebooks are the only way that students can record the lessons their teachers provide. Thirty educational scholarships were also provided to students who demonstrated a commitment to their own education and the betterment of their communities.

IN VIETNAM

The fund has helped purchase much-needed antibiotics, antiseptic ointments, children's Tylenol, and other basic medical supplies to the Vietnamese orphanages that Journeys' staff have visited. The fund also purchased the only refrigerator for one Vietnamese orphanage in which 140 children live, and it provided relief to victims of Typhoon Linda.

Help support a Vietnamese girl who provides for her family by selling postcards and trinkets on the streets of HoChiMinh City.

IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

The fund has helped provide new roofs on the homes of ten families living on the island of Majuro in the Marshall Islands. The project was organized and supervised by Journeys' Executive Director Susan Tompkins with the assistance of two adopting families, who worked with residents to construct the new roofs.

IN INDIA

The fund has contributed toward the construction of a larger birth mother residence in Kerala, India. The new home, which is operated in conjunction with an orphanage that Journeys works with, will provide food, medical care and employment training for the residents.  Monthly payments assist an orphanage to purchase necessary items that they normally could not afford.

Following the Tsunami, in South Asia, the fund was able to provide near $100,000 in direct relief, including food, water, boats, nets, medicine and more.  Please click here for more.  In 2006, the work continues.  Please click here to see to see new projects.

IN OREGON

The fund has provided emergency clothing or household items to needy children attending public school, and women escaping violent living situations in the Hillsboro area. The fund also supplied residents of a migrant labor camp with baby equipment, formula and other basic necessities when the camp burned down.

ON-GOING PROJECTS

Educational sponsorship of older orphanage children: Journeys is looking for families to sponsor the education of school-age children living in Chinese, Indian or other orphanages who, for various reasons, are not being schooled. These sponsorships are in the range of $140/year.

Contribute toward the purchase of heating/air conditioning units for Chinese orphanages: Journeys is trying to put these units in as many infants' and children's rooms as possible. Some orphanages could use ten units, others could use 30. But even one will help. Each unit costs about $500. We're asking families to contribute toward the purchase of one unit, or ask their local Kiwanis, Rotary or other local service club to buy one.

HOW TO DONATE TO THE FUND:

You may donate any amount at any time. Journeys staff is constantly finding needs for the funds, both here and abroad. Simply send a check, made out to Journeys of the Heart, and write "Love the Children Fund" on the memo line. If you'd like, you can indicate where you'd like the funds to be used. Mail it to our Oregon office at: P.O. Box 39, Hillsboro, OR 97123

New!  Use the drop down box, below, and donate using your credit card and the secure 'Google Checkout'.  Because of the generosity of Google, not one cent of your donation will be used for credit card processing - all of your donation will go to the needy!  As soon as we receive your donation we will send you, by mail, a special 'thank you' note and a receipt for your taxes.

Make a secure online donation today

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All 501 (c)(3) Donations are tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt.

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