FAQ
Here you will find answers to all your questions about donations, sponsorships and project funding.
Questions and answers about ora Kinderhilfe
Who is ora Kinderhilfe?
ora Kinderhilfe is a Christian children's aid organization that has been helping children and families in need since 1981. The focus of all projects is on the youngest: children. The aim is to help them and their families to lead an independent life in dignity. We first provide the children with the basic necessities of life and then involve the child's family and its environment. We also provide disaster relief.
What does ora Kinderhilfe mean?
The name ora Kinderhilfe is a proper noun. ora comes from "ora et labora" (pray and work) and illustrates our Christian values.
Until the beginning of 2014, our aid organization was called "ora international Deutschland e. V.". We changed the name to "ora Kinderhilfe international e. V." to show even more clearly that we are committed to helping children.
What does ora Kinderhilfe do?
Three main areas characterize the work of ora Kinderhilfe:
- Sponsorships
- Development cooperation
- Disaster relief
Where does ora Kinderhilfe work?
ora Kinderhilfe is currently active everywhere here: Project countries
How does ora Kinderhilfe finance its work?
ora Kinderhilfe finances most of its work through donations and sponsorship contributions. In implementing some projects, ora also receives support from public institutions such as the Federal Foreign Office or the German Embassy in the respective project country. Numerous commercial enterprises are also involved and support the work - for example through donations in kind. Partners
You can find detailed information in our annual report.
Sponsorships with ora Kinderhilfe
What is a sponsorship?
Sponsorship is the most personal form of development aid. Sponsors take on direct responsibility for a child or young person and thus build up a personal relationship. For the sponsored child, this means first and foremost a tangible improvement in their quality of life.
Who can take on a sponsorship?
Both individuals and groups such as communities, sports clubs or school classes can take on a sponsorship. Companies and businesses are also welcome to take on a sponsorship. In the case of a group sponsorship, we ask you to name a fixed contact person. This makes communication and payment transactions easier.
How can I take on a sponsorship?
Now you are just one click away from becoming a sponsor. Online you will always be shown a child for whom we are currently looking for a sponsor. You can sponsor this child immediately using the online form. Once you have entered your details, we will send you your sponsorship certificate and further information.
You also have the option of having a non-binding sponsorship proposal sent to you. Complete this within four weeks and send it back to ora Kinderhilfe by post or fax. You will then immediately receive your sponsorship certificate and further information about your sponsorship.
Does sponsorship imply a legal obligation?
No, you are not entering into any legal obligations. Your sponsorship can be terminated at any time and without giving reasons.
How much is the sponsorship contribution?
The sponsorship contribution is 35 euros per month. This amount ensures that your sponsored child receives basic care and at the same time supports the people in his or her environment and the region.
How are the sponsorship contributions paid?
Sponsorship contributions can be paid by direct debit or standing order. Payment by direct debit is the cheapest and therefore most effective method for us. However, it is not possible from abroad. When paying by standing order, it is important to state your sponsorship number as the reason for payment.
Is it possible to contact us by letter?
Yes, contact by letter is possible in any case. We are happy to forward your mail to the children via our project offices. If required, we can also help translate the letters into English or from English into German.
However, please do not assume that you will receive your mail quickly. In our experience, there are always delays for various reasons. Either the villages in which the children live with their families do not have a postal address or the children are unable to answer and thank the letters on their own. Please understand that your sponsored children may not always be able to reply promptly due to their living conditions.
You can write to your sponsored children in Moldova and Romania in German, to all other sponsorship countries we only send in English.
Please contact the sponsorship team if you have any questions.
Are visits to the godchild possible?
A visit to your sponsored child is possible in consultation with us. We ask you to register your trip to the project country in good time. We can then provide you with information about the country and the respective cultural customs and announce you on site. As a visit from Germany is an absolute rarity in the families, we will inform the child's family about their visit in advance.
In Romania, Moldova and Rwanda there is accommodation for sponsored children, which we are happy to provide at low cost.
Conversely, it is not possible for the child to visit the ora sponsors.
Are special payments possible?
Yes, these are possible at any time. We take into account the specifics of the country in which your sponsored child lives. In this way, we ensure that your donation is used as effectively as possible for the benefit of the child.
Please transfer special donations to the sponsorship account, stating the sponsorship number and the reference "Special donation".
Sponsorship account
Bank für Sozialwirtschaft
IBAN: DE63 3702 0500 0008 3312 01
BIC: BFSWDE33XXX
Purpose: "Special donation" + sponsorship number
Can I send parcels to my godchild?
This is only possible for Eastern Europe and only in individual cases. The parcels are then sent along with the regular aid supplies. It is very important to us that all children are provided for equally. We give presents to all our ora sponsored children at Christmas and Easter. Parcels are suitable for birthdays or school enrolments, provided they can be sent with the regular shipments. They should be sent directly to Korbach. Please clearly mark which child the parcel is for and add their P-number. Donation receipts cannot be issued. The material value cannot be determined.
Basically, the children can use almost anything. From hygiene articles to clothing, durable food and shoes to simple games.
For Moldova, no shoes or food containing gelatine (e.g. jelly babies) are permitted for customs reasons.
It is not possible to send the goods yourself.
The acceptance point for parcels is our logistics center in Korbach:
ora Kinderhilfe
Am Ziegelgrund 31
34497 Korbach
Phone: 05631-95 05 0
Can I support your work beyond my sponsorship?
We would be delighted to hear that. There are many ways to support us. You can promote us in your community and help us to recruit more sponsors or donors. Because it is quite clear: the more sponsored children we can find in one place, the more effectively we can use the contributions for the benefit of the children. Perhaps your friends and acquaintances are interested in a personal form of development aid.
Or how about using your next birthday party to collect for us? Instead of giving yourself a rich present, you could do something good for children in our projects in the long term.
There are also creative ways to support us. Maybe there is something for you!
Project funding and donations
Is it possible to support the projects regularly, even without a sponsorship?
Yes, you can support any ora Kinderhilfe project with a one-off or permanent donation. Whether it's an agricultural project or a tailoring workshop, choose the project you would like to support. We will be happy to send you detailed information about project sponsorship. The same applies if you would like to support the work of ora Kinderhilfe in the long term with a will. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, your donation is tax-deductible. We will automatically send you a donation receipt in January of the following month. Please make sure that we can clearly allocate your donation. Always state your name and - if available - your sponsorship number.
Will my earmarked donation really be received?
Firstly, you can support our projects in a specific country.
This makes sense, as we often support several projects in one country that are closely interlinked. You can also support our work in a specific area. We differentiate here between education, nutrition, health and disaster relief. For example, if the topic of health is close to your heart. If so, your donation will specifically support health maintenance or training in healthy eating or hygiene.
Who controls the handling of donations at ora Kinderhilfe?
The German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI) audits us as ora Kinderhilfe annually. We have carried the seal continuously since 30.11.2005. The seal is only awarded annually to organizations that convince through transparency and truthful information. We are thus recognized for our trustworthy and transparent handling of the donations entrusted to us.
Is the online donation safe?
Yes, your online donation is secure. We attach great importance to data security and data protection. That is why your data is only sent in encrypted form. This is ensured by the SSL (Security Socket Layer) encryption protocol, which encrypts your personal data and makes it unreadable to outsiders.
Which payment methods are available online?
We currently offer two ways to make an online donation:
- You can transfer the amount to our donation account or
- give us a direct debit authorization.
One-off donations can also be made via PayPal to:
spende@ora-kinderhilfe.de can be sent.
You can also use our donation form for online donations!
Our donation account:
Postbank Frankfurt am Main
IBAN: DE33500100600000050609
BIC: PBNKDEFFXXX
Do you have any further questions?
Just give us a call: 030 - 643 87 82 30
or send us an e-mail: info@ora-kinderhilfe.de
