Frequently Asked Questions

How much of the sponsor’s money goes to the children?

All of it! Our unique quality at FCH is that all administration costs are covered separately. This means 100 cents in the dollar you donate goes to the child you sponsor. All other donations go fully towards the specific resource needed. Administration costs are covered 70/30 by Russell and Jenny Coutts and Ian and Amanda McKay.

Will the children be adopted?

No, the children will remain in FCH until they are 18 and move onto university or married life or return to their villages.

How does the Nepalese school system work?

Most of the children start in Nursery when they arrive at the orphanage regardless of their age. The children spend a year in each of the following classes:

Nursery
LKG
UKG
Class  1
2
3
4… etc

Can I send gifts to my sponsored child?

While gifts of clothing and toys are welcome, sponsorship is the most effective way in which you can help build a future for the children.

It is also important to keep in mind that Nepal is a third world country lacking basic infrastructure like a good postal system. Therefore, although most packages sent in the past have reached their destination, there is no guarantee that what you send will make it to FCH.

Bearing this is mind, if you would still like to send something please refer to our Contact page for more information.

If you would like to donate clothes or goods for the children, we sometimes have volunteers visiting the center in person, so please get in touch and we may be able to arrange something.

How do I know you are a genuine charity?

This is a very good question and I’m glad you asked! Unfortunately there are many unscrupulous people out there setting up bogus websites and taking advantage of people’s generosity for their own selfish reasons.

You can rest assured that we are authentic – we are registered both in New Zealand and Nepal and this information is publicy available.

We don’t hide behind the anonimity of an email address – we give you names and telephone numbers so you can talk to us at any point if you want to. We featured in a New Zealand TV documentary called “Working Holiday” back in 2006 (when we were known as the Orphan Help Center) – you can view a couple of short clips here and here. We have also been featured in numerous New Zealand publications such as Next Magazine and Women’s Weekly.

If you have any questions, please email us and we will add them to our list.