Information for new sponsors:
St. Michael Parish and St. Jerome’s Worship Community have been supporting the Notre Dame Children Outreach (NDCO) program in Nyalieng’a Kenya since 2009. In 2013, a sponsorship program was introduced linking Canadian sponsors with individual children.
Sponsorship costs vary depending on the level of education – primary, secondary or tertiary. In Kenya, boarding schools are the preferred educational providers and so living expenses may also be included in the sponsorship.
For the 2021 school year, primary students require about $450 annually, secondary students need $650+ and tertiary (college, technical school, university etc) needs range from as little as $400 to upwards of $1000. (The Kenyan Shilling is linked to the US Dollar - this also impacts the number of Canadian dollars required.)
Options for Sponsors:
Typically sponsors give whatever they are comfortable donating and are matched to a child (or sometimes more) in the NDCO. If the donation covers the full cost – great! If not, then a child may be matched to 2 or more sponsors. Sponsors can ask to be matched to male/female, age range etc. but some flexibility is required.
How to become a sponsor:
Pre-COVID, there was an annual Fall Mission Appeal by the NDCO but, for 2020 and 2021, the Diocese of Hamilton has cancelled all Mission Appeals. Because the Harambee Child Sponsorship program is an ongoing parish commitment, St. Michael’s has been given permission by the Diocese to accept and issue tax receipts for all donations to this program.
This year, we request that all donations be mailed to the parish using specific donation envelopes. Please contact us and these will be sent or delivered to you along with a New Sponsor Registration Form. We request that all donations be received by November 1, 2020.
Contact by email: harambeeletters@gmail.com
Contact by phone: Diane @ 519-616-2227 (please leave a message)
Please Note: 100% of your donation will be directed to the NDCO. There is no administration fee from the parish, the Diocese of Hamilton or the SSND.