We are called to this ministry because it is so crucial for orphaned and vulnerable children to grow and learn in a stable, supportive environment where they feel loved. Impoverished children are at high risk for becoming severely depressed, being taken advantage of by traffickers, or succumbing to crime or homelessness as they get older. Surrounding each child with the care and love they need as they grow helps set them up for a life of promise and self-sufficiency. Educating and empowering these young people helps pave the way for long-term, sustainable change.
ROOM is unique in that we are a very small but mighty nonprofit organization, and our staff and volunteers have built strong, direct one-to-one relationships with the staff and children at the orphanages we support. We have two part-time remote employees in the U.S. and one part-time employee in Honduras who regularly visits the orphanages and keeps us up-to-date on the children, staff and activities. This has become invaluable during the pandemic, when our U.S.-based employees and Board of Directors members have not been able to visit the orphanages in person.
Because of the direct relationships we have with each orphanage, we have full transparency about how our funds are used. In Honduras, funds are transferred to our bank account, and our ROOM employee purchases the needed items for each orphanage and delivers them in person. We receive updates and photos of these deliveries. In India and Nepal, because we do not have employees on-site, the funds are transferred to their nonprofit bank accounts, and the orphanage Directors provide us with detailed reports of the items purchased. This process allows us to track and monitor all expenses, turning our donors’ contributions into desperately needed material donations.
The pandemic, destructive natural disasters and increasing gang violence and persecution against Christians in the communities we serve have only increased the need for our assistance. Our goal for the future is to expand our core services to additional orphanages and community organizations in the countries we serve.