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Questions About Family Partners

If you have any questions that aren't answered here, you can contact us through our contact page

How do I become a Partner? 

You can become a partner by clicking here, selecting a family to partner with, and filling out the donation information at the bottom of the page.

How much does it cost to become a Partner?

One partner share is $30, but Partners are welcome to donate in any $30 increment (based on the family’s size).

What impact does partnering have on a family?

A big one. Children can get an education, families have increased access to food and clean water, and starting a small business is attainable, to name a few. 

 

We aim to see a family fully empowered and graduate from our program. They are supported along the way by the wonderful team at AfricaHope.

How are Partner funds used?

We use donations for Direct Give, Family Care, Education, and Team Share.

Direct Give

Most of the gift you give will go directly to the parents of the family. They will receive biblical-based financial training, which teaches guard rails for wise spending

of the funds.
 
Family Care
Another part will provide psychosocial and spiritual care for the family. This includes home visits, counseling by social workers, and spiritual mentoring by pastors and church planters.
 
Education
A portion of your gift will provide educational opportunities for all the of-age children in the household. Every year of education increases a child’s potential future income by 10%.
 
Team Share

We allocate a small share toward New International’s greater mission to proclaim Christ and make disciples globally. Administrative costs come out of this portion.

How many Partners are needed per family?

It varies based on family size. 
A family of 1-3 needs two partners (or $60), a family of 4-6 needs four partners (or $120), and a family of over 6 needs six partners (or $180).  

How did Family Partners start? 

Check out our About page to read our story.

Where does New International Family Partners work?

We work in Narok County, Kenya with the Maasai people group.

Is there a way to partner with a family that is most in need? 

While any registered family without a partner is certainly in need, our priority is to find partners for lapsed families. We consider a family “lapsed” when their donor ends their funding. 


Once a family receives their first Direct Give funds from our program, we assure them that this income stream will not end while they are eligible to receive them. We have limited funds set aside for this purpose. To keep the program viable, we must prioritize lapsed families.

 

If you are interested in partnering with a lapsed family email familypartners@newinternational.org

Are my donations to New International Family Partners tax-deductible?

Yes, New International is a registered 501(c)(3) charity with 30 years of experience. It is also a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and has a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator.

How does Family Partners ensure my support benefits the family I’ve partnered with? 

We use a mobile banking system called M-PESA that is a safe way to send the direct cash transfers to the families. 
 
New International is a registered 501(c)(3) charity with 30 years of experience. It is also a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and has a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator.

Can I send letters to the family I’ve partnered with? 

The best way to communicate with the family you’ve partnered with is by documenting how you pray for them and sharing it with us (or your church). When our team or a team from your church is in Kenya, we will celebrate the impact of your generosity and share your prayers with the family’s community.

 

You can also send notes, cards, photos, stickers, or any small gift that can fit in an envelope to the family. However, responses from the family are limited to biannual updates from Africa Hope’s staff, who meet with every family throughout the year. 

To share your prayers email them to familypartners@newinternational.org or the designated person at your church. 

To send mail, please include the Family ID number and send it to:

New International Child Sponsorship

2701 Cleveland Ave.

Suite 200

Fort Myers, FL 33901

As a Partner, how can I stay up to date with the family I’ve partnered with? 

You will receive updates on the family you’ve partnered with. We will add you to our quarterly print newsletter and monthly e-newsletter. If you aren’t receiving either of those, please reach out to mroahrig@newinternational.org

Can my church get involved? 

Yes! The community-to-community connection is special. Your church community can be a part of transforming a community in Kenya.

Your church can host an event to partner with families. We also have opportunities for teams to travel to Kenya and host a Children’s Camp with AfricaHope. Email FamilyPartners@NewInternational.org for more information. 

Questions About Visiting the Family You Partner With

If you would like to get more info about traveling to Kenya and meeting your partnered family, please complete this form.

Why should I consider meeting the family I partner with?

Your “presence” can be much more impactful than your “presents”! Those living in extreme poverty often struggle with feelings of insignificance, which can lead to hopelessness. Children are especially vulnerable to these feelings. Your personal sacrifice to meet the family you partner with in person reinforces the values of self-worth being taught in their communities by Africa Hope’s staff and has the potential to be a life-changing event for their family and for you as well. 

Can a family member or friend visit the family I partner with for me?

Absolutely! Please be aware that the same rules and guidelines set forth by New International and their affiliates apply to your family member or friend traveling to Kenya. We will contact the family you partner with to communicate that your friend or family member will visit them on your behalf.

When can I visit the family I partner with?

New International and Africa Hope will coordinate all visits to coincide with pre-determined travel dates to Kenya based on New International staff, interns, short-term project teams, or church groups. You can find a current list of tentative travel dates here. We will consider requests for dates apart from those posted on a case-by-case basis.

What is the cost for me to visit the family I partner with? 

New International staff will communicate and plan with you before your visit to establish your unique budget and funding needs. Costs incurred for your visit can vary widely, depending on your length of stay in the country, seasonal constraints, and your planned itinerary.  


Costs may include airfare, in-country accommodations, ground transportation, meals, safe drinking water, and planned tourism activities. Additionally, there can be costs associated with updating passports and immunizations. All costs are solely your responsibility and are payable before your departure date from the US. Neither New International nor Africa Hope are able to subsidize any of these costs.

Are the costs of my visit tax deductible?

According to IRS rules, payments made to New International toward your visit are NOT tax-deductible contributions. Since payments are spent directly to cover the expenses of your travel, the IRS does not consider this a charitable activity. Please consult your personal tax adviser for any further details or questions.

Why are background checks required and what is the cost?

New International has policies in place to protect children in our program from possible exploitation or abuse by instituting reasonable guidelines and procedures. We directly supervise the interactions of partners and other visitors with children and their families. A Background Check is mandatory for all adult visitors (18 and older) who are meeting any beneficiary of the Family Partners program. 


Each adult visitor will pay the $60 nonrefundable, non-tax-deductible fee, as well as submitting the information to our third-party vendor. We will provide instructions for the background check upon application for a visit, and completion is required before final approval of your visit.

Will New International make my travel arrangements, or can I make them myself?

Because of the complexity of international travel to Kenya and the extensive logistics required to facilitate your particular visit to the rural area where Maasai families live, we require New International to facilitate all international travel arrangements.

Will I need a passport and/or visa? If so, how do I get these?

A valid passport is required for all travelers coming to Kenya. Your passport expiration date should be at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date. If you have questions about your passport requirements, you can check with the State Department website or communicate with New International’s Mobilization staff for help.
 
All visitors are required to get a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before departing their home country. The Mobilization staff at New International will assist you in obtaining your eTA prior to your scheduled visit.

Will I need immunizations?

New International follows CDC and destination country immunization recommendations. These recommendations can change, so if you would like a more specific answer you can email us at familypartners@newinternational.org and visit the CDC website.

How long will I be able to visit with the family I partner with?

We ordinarily limit visits to weekdays during the mid-day hours. The Maasai village where your partnered family lives is in an extremely remote area of Kenya, with very little infrastructure. This makes travel to and from the villages challenging, not only due to rough road conditions but also because of the time required to reach them–typically 2 to 3 hours each way from your lodging in the town of Narok. While we try to arrange home visits with the family you partner with, the exact location of the family’s home may dictate a meeting arranged at the local school or other location. If you are visiting more than one family, it is possible that we will need multiple days, depending on their location.

Where will I be staying during my visit?

Most flights to Nairobi, Kenya (NBO) from the US arrive in the late evening hours, so it’s typical for a guest to stay overnight in a pre-screened, secure hotel in Nairobi. Ground transportation from Nairobi to Narok, Kenya is usually the following morning. After a 3-hour journey (or longer, depending on local traffic conditions), you’ll arrive at Africa Hope’s campus, where your accommodations will be on the 2nd floor of one of their 40-room guesthouses. (Stairs only, no wheelchair accessibility). Each room has a bed and wardrobe closet, along with a private bathroom with a toilet, running water (not for drinking) and a shower. There is 24-hour security on the Africa Hope campus.


Overnight trips to the Masai Mara National Reserve that are arranged in advance typically include staying in one of the Masai Mara lodges. Seasonal constraints will dictate the exact location.

What other activities might a visit itinerary include?

Depending on the length of your stay, seasonal constraints and your personal preferences, other activities may include:

  • Day or overnight trip to Masai Mara National Reserve, one of the world’s top destinations for African wildlife safaris. 

  • Attending morning devotions with the Africa Hope staff.

  • Informational meeting to learn more about Africa Hope’s other ministries to the rural Maasai communities.

  • Shopping for souvenirs in Narok.

  • Personal rest, relaxation and reflection time in a tranquil, natural atmosphere on Africa Hope’s 15-acre secure campus.

  • Other field visits, depending on Africa Hope staff’s planned outreaches during your time in Kenya. 

What is the cancellation policy?

If it becomes necessary to cancel your visit, you will be responsible to reimburse any administrative fees and non-refundable expenses that have already been paid to coordinate your visit.

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