All of our efforts, helping the Nshombo family, helping Fidel reach his dream of going to college, and helping Africans in Boise successfully integrate into life in the United States, are dependent upon financial assistance. Your donations are needed, and greatly appreciated.
There are 3 ways to donate:
1. You can send a check to Karitas Foundation, 1275 Rose Lane, Berwyn, PA 19312. Put Boise to Bukavu on the memo line of your check in order to direct it to our organization. This is a tax deductible donation. You will get an acknowledgement of your donation for tax purposes. 100% of your donation will be received and used by Boise To Bukavu, Inc.
2. You can send a check to Boise to Bukavu, Inc., c/o Ruth York, 6455 Snake River Ranch Rd., Wilson, WY 83014. This will NOT be a tax deductible contribution, but you will receive an acknowledgement of your donation.
3. You can donate via PayPal by clicking the button below. (Note: A PayPal account is not required. Directions for donating without a PayPal account are on the PayPal screen, lower left. ) This will NOT be a tax deductible contribution.
All donors will receive a thank you letter for your records.
Hi. I read the article about your group in the Statesman with some interest. I think it is great that you want to help these deserving people while maintaining/establishing self-reliance.
Just thought I’d share a little about our church’s “Perpetual Education Fund”, as the concept may be useful to you. The initial money for the fund came from the church budget (at a national level) plus continual donations from members specifically to that fund. Deserving individuals from (usually) underprivileged nations were identified, and these individuals could apply for, and receive an educational loan, usually toward completing a college degree. After these people complete their college education and find a decent-paying job, they pay the loan back–the funds paid back return directly to the educational fund, and so are continually replenished by those they’ve helped. Those receiving funds are typically careful in using the money, as they know they will repay it at a later time. Donors are more willing to donate, knowing that the money is not just a “handout”, and most likely will not be misused or misappropriated. And dignity and self-reliance are maintained.
On a local level, the poor seeking assistance from church funds toward food, clothing, etc., are helped according to need, but are also asked (for their own benefit–not necessarily the church’s) to fulfill simple work assignments, such as helping clean up or maintain church-owned properties, etc. Again, this is to encourage the principle of self-reliance and promote dignity and industry.
Sounds like a great model and it is a great fit philosophically with the mission of our organization. Thanks for sharing it. This is really good food for thought as we have discussed the possibility of a loan program. I can see the appeal people have to donate towards such a program. Again, thanks for taking the time to share this information,
Ruth York