FAQ
What is this program all about?
Our family sponsorship program allows families in the US to sponsor a family in Africa who struggles to meet their basic needs. A.S.A.P. partners with A.S.I.G.E. organization in Ghana to locate families experiencing particular hardships and connects them with a US family who wants to help. The goal is to assist the family in developing a financial plan to be able to support themselves independently while also receiving encouragement and moral support from the sponsor family. The sponsor family will learn about the real life and challenges faced by a family in a completely different culture and has the satisfaction of being able to empower the family as well as the whole community to thrive.
How much does it cost?
Only $37 a month can help a family get back on their feet and give them the hope for a better future.
Exactly where does my money go?
We are completely transparent and are happy to tell you exactly where your sponsorship money will go.
Approximately $7 a month will go towards costs of administering the program by Americans Serving Abroad Projects and ASIGE. These include the cost of accounting, transferring the funds, opening a savings account for the family, education on money management and financial planning, assisting the family in developing a plan to become self sufficient, supervision in ensuring the money is used properly, obtaining and delivering periodic correspondence/pictures/videos to and from both families, and quarterly reports on the sponsored family's progress.
Approximately $5 a month will go into a community account to be spent on community development projects for the community in which the family lives. Experience shows that improving conditions and education in the general community also directly benefits the sponsored family.
The remaining $25 will go to the sponsor family and will be spent according to the plan developed by the sponsored family and ASIGE (some for essential needs, some into savings to start a business or for education) The sponsoring family will be given info on the plan that is developed as well as the progress.
If these allotments change based on the particular needs of the family and/or community, the sponsoring family will be notified.
Can my family correspond with the family we sponsor?
Absolutely! That's a core part of the program. Though not required, we encourage each member of the sponsoring family to send letters, pictures, and videos to the family you are sponsoring. This is an important piece that will help the sponsored family feel supported and encouraged. You will be given a profile of the family you sponsor and will receive monthly communications from them also. We want you to develop a relationship so that you know your support is vital. All communications will go through ASAP and ASIGE in the form of emails. Communications you send to your family through ASAP will be printed and delivered to the family by ASIGE staff. As most families in that area do not know much (if any) English. correspondence will need to be interpreted. Likewise, communications from the sponsored family will be obtained from and interpreted by ASIGE and delivered to you via email from ASAP. You may also send videos which ASIGE will show to the family on their mobile phone. ASIGE may take videos of the sponsored family from time to time which ASAP will email to you. You will also have the option of sending an extra amount of money on special holidays if you desire.
Am I obligated to continue sponsorship for a certain period of time?
No. Our hope is that you will be able to continue sponsorship until the family is able to support themselves independently but we realize circumstances may change where you are no longer able to support them. If this is the case, we ask that you give us as much advance notice as possible so that we may find another sponsor for them.
What happens when the family I sponsor establishes independence or has to leave the program for other reasons?
If the family you are sponsoring no longer needs the program or leaves the program for other reasons, you will be given the choice of sponsoring another family in need or discontinuing sponsorship.
Can we visit the family we sponsor?
If you have the desire and the means, ASAP and ASIGE can help you make arrangements for a visit if the family agrees.
Can we send packages to the family we sponsor?
No, we do not recommend sending packages as customs fees can be high and mail is unreliable so we cannot guarantee the family will receive it. If ASAP is doing a visit to the area we will inform you so that you may send a small package with us to deliver to the family. Likewise, on our return you may also receive a surprise package!
How can I sign up?!
Please fill out a family sponsorship application and we will contact you promptly with some profiles of families available to sponsor. When you choose your family we will send you a Paypal invoice for secure sponsorship payments.
How do I make my sponsorship payments?
Secure payments can be made directly from the Paypal invoices we email you, either through your bank account or a credit/debit card. For your convenience, you can choose to pay monthly ($37), every 3 months ($111), every 6 months ($222) or for the year ($444). If the family you sponsor leaves the program for any reason, you will be reimbursed for the fees that have not yet been disbursed. Fees for the month are disbursed to the family's account on the 1st of each month no matter what payment plan you choose. For example, if you choose to pay for the year but the family you sponsor leaves the program in the 6th month, you will be reimbursed for 6 months of fees (unless you choose to sponsor another family)
If you have further questions at any time, please contact Lauri Rupracht at [email protected].
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