About the Program
Why a Hosting Program?
The children involved in this hosting program are from an area of Eastern Europe that has been hit hard by severe challenges for many years. World War I and II devastated these countries in the early and mid-twentieth century. Communism and atheism caused its own spiritual and cultural devastation. When the Soviet Union broke apart in 1991, new countries, such as Belarus and Ukraine, had to find their way as independent countries. Economically, they have been challenged. Even today, Belarus has one of the lowest average wages in the developed world. In 1986, the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in northern Ukraine sent 100’s of tons of nuclear waste into the air and poisoned the soil and water for many years. Even today, there are still pockets of radiation in the soil and food, and a high level of certain cancers and conditions among the people. Many people in this area feel that living in an area of low level radiation has adversely affected their health. This is true especially in Belarus.
Global Family Alliance is a group of Christian families who have a love and concern for the children in this part of the world. Our organization formed in 2003, initially to provide health respite trips for children living in the area of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, specifically Belarus, which had received 70% of the fallout. In recent years, GFA’s hosting program has expanded to include children from Ukraine, especially orphans.
God has blessed us tremendously to see so many children and host families learn to love and enjoy each other through this experience. Many children receive their very first Bible during their hosting, and learn that God loves them. Orphans express how they enjoy being in a family and now have an “American family” that loves them. GFA is not an adoption agency, but has been blessed with seeing a few of the orphans find their “forever” family.
Hosting a child with GFA is a way for Christian families to bless a child from another culture, learn a new language, share their love for God and bring the mission field home!
Selection of Children
Children are generally from 8 – 12 years of age. We provide as much detail as possible on the children and you can review this information and request a specific child. Both boys and girls participate in the program. In 2010, all the children are from Ukraine. Children are from foster homes, orphanages or poor families.
Hosting Time Frame
A six week visit is planned for hosted children in the summer of 2010. Tentative dates are arrival on June 16th and departure on July 31st.
Cost of Hosting
The cost to host a child in 2010 is $1,450 plus there is an application fee of $50 due when an application is submitted.
Payment deadlines for 2010:
Note: If fee deadlines are missed, application process will be suspended.
With Application (on-line or hard copy)- $50 application fee.
Note: Application processing will begin when $50 application fee is received by GFA.
March 9 – 1st payment $450 due.
April 9 – 2nd Payment of $550 due.
April 30 – Final $450 due.
Other costs associated with hosting include extra food, entertainment, travel, etc. for your guest. The children will require items such as additional clothing, shoes, and school supplies. GFA and host families work hard to get these items donated from local merchants.
Many families raise money to cover the cost of hosting from their friends, family, or church. This is encouraged and is a good way to get other involved in the program. We have resources and ideas to help you do this.
We understand that the costs of hosting can be burdensome. Furthermore, we do not want to exclude a potential host family due solely to financial purposes. With that in mind, we offer financial assistance in the form of a reduction of the hosting fee (see financial aid policy). To apply for a reduction in your host fee, you will need to submit a financial aid application. All information will be held in the strictest confidence.
Medical Needs
Global Family Alliance provides a basic health exam during the first week of the children’s arrival. Generally, only acute (not chronic) illnesses are taken care of during their stay. Usually, any medical care for illnesses or injuries required during their stay is donated by local clinics and health care providers.
The hosting fee includes a small amount for a travelor’s medical insurance policy, which is purchased for the children by GFA. This policy covers accidents or emergencies while visiting the U.S. rather than treatment of medical conditions.
Dental exams, fluoride treatments and teeth cleaning are expected during their stay. Any dental procedures requiring anesthesia are not permitted until parental consent is obtained. The child’s chaperone will contact the child’s parents for this permission after the initial exam.
No routine immunizations should be given during their stay.
For more information, please contact the medical director at carole@globalfamilyalliance.org
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DENTAL CARE FOR YOUR HOSTED CHILD:
Before arrival:
- Contact your family dentist, or a dentist who is familiar with GFA. Ask if they would donate services to our program.
- Make an appointment for your hosted child with your dentist for cleaning and exam. This is usually best done in the first 10 days for new children to allow time for any follow up appointments.
- Purchase toothbrush and toothpaste for your hosted child.
During visit:
- Have the child brush thoroughly twice daily. Make this one of the “house rules”.
- Arrange to have the child’s chaperone at each dental visit.
- Interpreter will call child’s family to get permission for dental work requiring anesthetic, if necessary.
- Send extra toothpaste and toothbrushes home with child for other family members.
- Obtain copies of the dental evaluation and treatment from your dentist. Send one home with child and the other to GFA Ukraine Programs President: Carole Clark, 13208 Meridian Ave N, Marysville, WA 98271, or fax to 360 651-7482.
MEDICAL CARE FOR YOUR HOST CHILD:
Before arrival:
- Purchase multi-vitamins with iron, appropriate dosage for age.
During visit:
- Provide daily vitamins. Make this one of the “house rules”.
- Have a variety of fresh fruits available for free access during the day.
- Be present with child for health check during welcoming party.
- Notify child’s chaperone and health care provider of any health concerns.
- Carry insurance information at all times (copy in car).
- Follow up on any medical appointments if necessary.
- Any appointments for routine (non-emergency, non-illness) medical, naturopathic or chiropractic care should be approved by child’s chaperone.
- Obtain a copy of any medical examinations and treatment given to the child (emergency or illness visits). Send one home with child and one to GFA Ukraine Programs President: Carole Clark, 13208 Meridian Ave N, Marysville, WA 98271, or fax to 360 651-7482.
Communication
While most of the children speak little or no English, communicating with them is generally not too difficult. Each family is provided with a GFA Host Family Booklet that guides them through the process, and the book First One Thousand Words in Russian that uses pictures of various settings, such as bathroom, grocery store, dentist’s office, etc. and provides the English and Russian words for each item.
This website lists a number of resources to assist you, and interpreters come with the children to assist the families and with the medical and dental visits.
English is the international business language and it is a great benefit to these children to learn as much of the language as possible, so it is best to put your efforts into teaching English rather than learning Russian.
Host Family Screening Process
Naturally, we take this process very seriously. We require a formal application process, which includes an in-home evaluation and a state patrol background check for each family member and adult who will be with the children.
Apply to Host
Click here to print an application that can be mailed in.
NOTE: A criminal background check will be done for:
- All people 14 years of age or older living in your home while you are hosting.
