Child Sponsorship Initiative: Sponsor a FELICA Child
The “FELICA children” are a group of orphaned or abandoned children who have been saved by Dr Catherine Loua and live with her. They are loved and cared for like Dr Loua's own children. Their ages are between 2 and 17 years. The housekeeper, Madame Philomène, assists with the domestic work, while Dr Loua works at the health centre and, in the evenings, in her own private practice. The schooling, feeding and caring of the FELICA children puts a big strain on Dr Loua. The Friends of FELICA believe that sponsoring a FELICA child could be a wonderful experience for individuals or families here, and could free up some of Dr Loua's scarce resources for her other development work benefiting the wider community.
Madame Philomène opening mail from Rosemary Golding
How much does it cost to sponsor a FELICA child? It costs £20 a month. This is based on a detailed costing done by Dr Loua. It includes all expenses incurred for schooling (fee, uniform, shoes, schoolbag, stationery, vaccination book, insurance, PTA contribution, and transport to and from school), nutrition (three meals per day), hygiene and medical care (toiletries, detergent, de-worming, malaria treatment, vitamins, etc)
Will this cost rise as the child grows up? No, the schooling costs at secondary school level are very similar to those at primary school level. The total of all the other costs combined remain at a similar level over the life of a child. However, it is a fact that local prices go up very fast due to inflation (this poses problems to Dr Loua since her salary is not getting adjusted according to the devaluation of the Guinean Franc).
Where does the money go? All of the sponsorship money received goes towards the living costs of the sponsored child. Donations first come into the “Friends of FELICA” bank account in Helston and periodically get transferred as a lump sum to the FELICA bank account in Conakry. Bank and transfer charges are kept to a minimum (total losses are 1.5% due to transfer charges). Dr Loua presents financial and activity reports to her board of trustees and regularly communicates results to the Friends of FELICA.
May I write to and visit the sponsored child? The children love getting letters through e-mail or post, written in very simple English or in French (French is the official language in Guinea and the first language the children learn). The children might write back in French, and sometimes responses might take time to get to you due to the adult carers lacking time to help with the letter writing. Sometimes, there might be drawings or a photo included in a letter. Dr Loua is very keen to welcome visitors to the FELICA house. We advise you to read the Foreign Office travel advice and to communicate with Dr Loua and the Friends of FELICA before deciding on a trip.
Can I choose the child I sponsor? We encourage you to be open-minded about this. So far, it has been easier to find sponsors for girls, so most children without sponsors today are boys, and they are mostly over 5 years of age.
Dr Loua's husband Jonas translating the book "Up and Away" by Rosemary Golding into French. It is a story about the FELICA children, their neighbours and their many ways of using a frisbee
What religion will my sponsored child be? Guinea is a predominantly Muslim country, but the Islam practised is moderate. Dr Loua and her husband are of Catholic belief, but they are liberally minded and great humanists. You will find out through your correspondence where your sponsored child goes for prayers.
Are there other ways I could support the work of FELICA?
If you prefer to support other, community-based FELICA activities, please still consider making a regular donation (on our standing order instructions form you can choose any amount and frequency to give on a regular basis to FELICA, please request form by e-mail). These donations will go towards FELICA’s sexual and reproductive health programmes, which include prevention of STDs, HIV/AIDS and early pregnancy in youth; training of peer educators; social welfare support to foster families of abandoned and orphaned children; community mobilisation campaigns; medical support of critical carers (such as AIDS cases in child rich households). If you would like to give us a single donation, please send a cheque payable to "Friends of FELICA" to Nicole Fraser, Mill Mehall, St. Keverne, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 6PX.
If you would like to sponsor a child, please send the answer slip below to: Nicole Fraser, Mill Mehall, St. Keverne, Helston, TR12 6PX. You will then receive information about the child for sponsoring and a standing order instruction form (alternatively, you can send an e-mail).
Child Sponsorship Initiative: Sponsor a FELICA Child
Where does the money go?