How do I know the money gets to the child?
The 2010-2011 Board of Directors:
Edwin and Nancy (President)
Dane Ruck
Trudy Ruck
A former teacher-aide who now owns a small business, Trudy is keenly aware of what is important in her life. trudy says, "For me, it is all about family, my own three boys, two of which are married, one granddaughter, my church family, and my Kenyan family of 90 children. Being on the Mercy and Caring Children's Board is my way of helping promote the work in Kenya and getting more people involved. Dane and I look forward to going back in the late summer of 2009 to help the Home get some sustainable businesses going. Any questions, please call, 604-886-9792 and I would be happy to discuss anything about the work in Kenya".
Donna Ball
"I feel so privileged to be used by our Lord to be able to use my God given talents to help these children grew up in a safe & caring place. I pray that each child will grow up to be the man or women God can use to then help others in Kenya."
Nancy Miller
'Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master."
God has blessed me with certain gifts, abilities and talents that He wants me to use for His kingdom. These things are a blessing from God, but they are not for safekeeping; they're for using daily! I am honored to put my gifts to work and start sowing seeds of goodness,, whatever that means, wherever that takes me. For now I am thrilled to serve on the Board of MCCH and the marvelous work they do in Kenya.
Carolynne Myddleton
"I feel blessed by God to serve on the MCCH board for the past few years, stepping in where help is needed, to watch the children grow and mature in their journey with the lord, to see the development that has taken place from rented land to owning property and seeing housing, school rooms, garden and fish pond coming to life to give these children a place to feel safe, loved and cared for is all I need to know God is in control and gives our hearts desire".
Marja Partenan
I am honored to be part of the ministry of Mercy and Caring chidlrens Homes. Jesus said "Let the little chidren come to me,for such is the kingdom of Heaven" and "what you have done for one of the least of these you have done for Me".I pray the Lord will increase this ministry to be a great blessing to many and to the glory of his Name.
Tom Williams
Tom is our newest Board member. His son, David, joined Dane & Trudy on a mission trip to Mercy Homes last year.
How do I know the money gets to the child?
Mercy and Caring Children’s Homes was registered in 2007 as one of Kenya’s approved Children’s Homes. The rules were strict, because the government is trying to weed out pseudo homes that don’t really exist except on websites. Donations can be designated to 3 categories:
-child-sponsorship money goes here plus undesignated donations. It covers operating expenses like food, clothes, housing, staff, and on site schooling.
-to fund secondary and college students
-ongoing projects at the farm. We currently need to build a chapel, start chicken and tomato projects to work towards self-sustainability, and build another dorm.
HOW IT WORKS
Each month, the Canadian board receives an email showing the monthly needs from the Kenyan Centre Manager. Funds are then authorized on a form that covers all the usual spending in categories, and there is never more than $100 left to miscellaneous. At the end of the month, a handwritten report is completed by the Kenyan bookkeeper/accountant, signed by the Kenyan Centre Manager, and sent back to Canada showing how the sent funds were actually spent. All the receipts of expenditures are kept on file in the Kenyan office.
These financial reports are filed by our Canadian treasurer. S/he reports from them once a year to Canada Revenue. You can view them by going to Canada Revenue Agency on the web and looking up Mercy and Caring Children’s Homes.
The Cahills or other board members visit the Kenya site at least once a year to make sure the money is being used the way it is designated. All travel costs are the responsibility of the individual, not the ministry, though an income tax receipt is given to the individial for the travel expense.