Frequently Asked Questions

Q . “When will I get all the goodies I’m promised?”

A. Immediately after your $20 payment is processed, you’ll be directed to a private web page to download your promised rewards.

Q. “What is the mission and purpose of The Forsaken Children (TFC) and Children’s Home Ethiopia (CHE)?”

A. There are an estimated 4,414,000 orphans in Ethiopia. Many of these children reside on the dangerous streets of Addis Ababa begging, stealing, fighting, or even prostituting in order to survive. Questionable deformities and scars mark some of these little ones for life, begging the question – how did such atrocities occur? These are the faces of Ethiopia’s future, a future that will remain bleak unless something is done to significantly change the circumstances of these children.

The Forsaken Children (TRC) is working hand in hand with Children’s Home Ethiopia (CHE) to be agents of hope for the street children of Ethiopia. We believe that hope is available to them first through hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then through leaving the streets, and finally by being part of a family.  For this reason, TFC/CHE do not stop at the institutional level of care, but rather goes past the institutional level by providing its beneficiaries with what they truly need to develop into healthy adults – a home and a family.

TFC’s focus is to fund the work of CHE, act as a consulting agency to CHE in its development, and to be an advocate for the street children of Ethiopia.

Q. “Is TFC a real non-profit/charity?”

A. Yes, The Forsaken Children, Inc. is officially registered as a 501(c)3 NonProfit Public Charity.  And Children’s Home Ethiopia is a locally organized (in Ethiopia) “NGO” — Non Governmental Organization.

Q. “How will the money raised from this project be used?”

A. The money raised from this project will be specifically used to establish a new “Halfway Home” for girls in the heart of Ethiopia.

Children’s Home Ethiopia (CHE) is currently operating only one Halfway Home where both girls and boys reside. To truly be effective and safe, a second halfway home needs to be opened making one home for boys and one for girls. The amount needed to establish the opening of a girls Halfway Home and cover it’s expenses for the first year is almost exactly $25,000 — so that’s just what this project (and your $20 contribution) will be dedicated to doing.

This is actually the second phase of a three-phase rehabilitation model to street children. The first phase began in May 2008, with the opening of a Drop-In Center, where children come to prepare to leave the streets. This is a key step in the process of ending the rinse-and-repeat cycle of “generational streetism” among Ethiopia’s children.

The Halfway Home is the next step for children who have no family members or who are not welcomed by their family members. It begins the process of integrating/reintegrating them into home life.  This is where children learn to trust adults again and how to live as part of a family.  Phase three will employ the use of foster families for the children who are prepared to enter a family.

So you can rest assured every penny raised for this project is being put to good use to directly benefit these children.

Q. “Is TFC a faith based organization?”

A. Yes.  TFC is a Christian-based organization.  In addition to helping Ethiopia’s impoverished youth find food, shelter and a life beyond the streets, an important part of TFC’s and CHE’s mission is also to share the love and hope of Jesus.

But it is also important to note that while the Christian faith is of core importance to the ministry, it is never “force fed” to anyone.  The children will have the opportunity to hear the Good News on many occasions, but they are NOT required to be Christians in order to receive assistance.  Every child, regardless of faith, will receive the same opportunity and help from TFC and CHE.

Jesus commanded us to serve the poor and needy, to help widows and orphans.  And children had a special place of honor in his eyes. This is the very blood that runs through the veins of TFC.

Q. “Is this a ‘top heavy’ organization?”

A. No, not at all.  The organization is run very “lean”.

Many charity organizations are notorious for high administrative costs, paying their board members and executives extravagant salaries, and often seeing only a small part of donations actually going to help their flagship causes.

TFC is NOT one of those organizations.  Their budget is meager at best, they have NO paid executives and a board comprised of dedicated volunteers.  Founders Joe and Karyn Bridges receive their income from separate means, apart from TFC.

As for paid staff, TFC has none, and CHE employs a modest staff comprised of a handful of part-time and full-time social workers, teachers, security and administration, and a full time director.  That’s it.

So basically 100% of the monies raised by The Forsaken Children Fund will goes towards the work of Children’s Home Ethiopia.  It’s all for the kids.  So suffice it to say, “top heavy” they are not.  You can rest assured all donated monies are applied to support the core mission of the organization.

Q. “Is my $20 payment today a tax-deductible, charitable donation?”

A. Just to be clear, you are purchasing products today, valued at well over $2,000, for only $20.  Your money will be collected by a legally FOR PROFIT entity, who will then be donating 100% of it to this charity.

You should consult your tax adviser as to whether or not your purchase is tax deductible – many “business purchases” are deductible as such.  But we cannot give you tax advice of this nature, and will not venture to do so.  Please consult your own adviser.

Q. “Will any of the experts who donated content to TFC project be receiving any of the money?”

A. Not one red cent.  100% of what’s received will be donated to TFC.  They have generously donated their products because they believe in this project.

Q. “Who is in charge of this project?”

A. This project is conceived, organized and executed by JP Moses, onwer of REItips.com.  However our sincerest thanks go out to everyone who has contributed to this project thus far, including our REI experts who have contributed products and helped spread the word in their circles of influence.

Q. “How can I find out more about TFC or keep updated on their ongoing work in Ethiopia?”

A. You can visit them on the web at www.TheForsakenChildren.org.  If you would like to be kept up to date with the work of TFC/CHE on an ongoing basis, you can sign up for their newsletter there.