Okoa Care Teams

Okoa Refuge exists to glorify Christ through stabilizing the family unit and transforming entire communities. Additionally, our vision in the Child Rescue Program is to see each child find their forever home.

From the moment a child is enrolled in Okoa's programs, their care team begins developing an individualized exit strategy. Every child has assigned mentors, social workers, caretakers, and healthcare team who immediately begin to unpack the child’s story so that they can be back in a healthy family as quickly and safely as possible. Each team member works together for the child's good and each child is cared for in a way that ensures they will know their profound value in this world. We don’t believe in institutions, we believe in families!

Previously referred to as Sponsors, the Care Team Members, will continue to be vital in the life of each and every child through prayer, communications, and financial support.

When you join a child’s care team, you are becoming a part of the intricate process of helping that child find their forever family. As a member of the Care Team, your monthly support ensures that the child will be able to have all of their needs met during the resettlement process, and even after a family is identified and the child goes home. Care Teams provide a way for Okoa to help children find loving, healthy families!

HOW IT WORKS:

CORRESPONDENCE

As part of the Care Team, you will receive updates on the child’s case (except for confidential information), status of the resettlement process, social work reports on the child’s development and handwritten or hand drawn notes, videos, or pictures. These files will be uploaded to a Google Drive folder that is shared with you when you join a Care Team. This way you can look back on them at any time! Care Team Members are also encouraged to write letters to their child by emailing to careteam@okoarefuge.org. 

VISITING

Okoa encourages all Care Team Members to come and visit their children! Visits occur during Okoa mission trips and so be sure to check out trip dates! If you happen to be in country for any other reason, please send an email to careteam@okoarefuge.org for details on what the process would be to see your child.

GIFTS

Every child loves receiving gifts and the Okoa kids are no different!

• Suggested gifts for younger children include: dolls, clothes, balls, bubbles, chalk or coloring books.

• Suggested gifts for older kids include: clothes, hoodies, ball caps, art paper, or journals.

You can mail your gift to Okoa Refuge at PO Box 50014, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240 and it must be packaged in a gallon size (or smaller) ziplock bag labeled with your name and the child’s name. These packages will be sent whenever possible, with a team that is traveling to Uganda. Additionally, be on the lookout for our Christmas store during holiday season where you will be able to purchase items, ensuring the children at Okoa have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Savior!

RESETTLEMENT

What happens when a child you sponsor is resettled or adopted?

First of all, we celebrate! Each and every time a child is placed in a safe and loving home, we joyfully praise our Lord and Savior! 

Next, we ask you to join in on the celebration!  If a child that you sponsor is resettled with a family member or adopted domestically, you will get an email from careteam@okoarefuge.org letting you know the details. If the child is adopted or if the family does not require further assistance, the child will no longer be part of the program and we can transfer your monthly support to another one of our precious children. 

Sometimes children are resettled but remain in Okoa's program as we continue to support the family by covering school fees and providing other services as needed. In this case, you will be able to remain a Care Team member as the child will then be in our Resettlement Program.

*Children that are in the Resettlement Program are not listed in the Residential photo section of OkoaLife magazine and often have fewer updates throughout the year since they no longer reside at Okoa. 

CHILDREN IN OUR Residential Program

These children receive everything they need from Okoa. This includes love, housing, meals, medical care, daily needs, mentoring and education. Okoa works diligently to find families for these children, but sometimes it is not possible. For those children, Okoa is and always will be "home."

Program Fees

In order to provide excellent care for the children, Okoa needs at least $150/mo per child. For anyone who is unable to support at that amount, fees have been divided into $25 increments. Please note that "full" need is $150 and unless a Care Team Member is the first to sign up and support at the level of $150, the child might have multiple Care Team Members.

NOTE: Children with an asterisk (*) require specialized medical care. Their Care Team fees are $250/mo.

Support received above and beyond a child's set amount will be used to cover the cost of children without Care Team Members.

Note: To become a Care Team Member, be sure to select the 'Create Recurring Transaction?" box when you are entering your payment information - that will ensure that you are setting up a recurring child care support rather than a one-time gift to the program.

CLICK ON A CHILD’S PHOTO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM OR JOIN THEIR CARE TEAM!

Family and Disability program

There are so many children in Uganda who have disabilities and significant medical needs that are incredibly hard and expensive to care for. The goal of the Family and Disability Program is to keep these children in healthy families. In order to do this, Okoa comes alongside families to partner with them in ensuring a healthy environment for raising the child and supporting them in the specific needs to help the child thrive. Naturally, this is different for every family but some things we do is to cover surgery costs, provide medicines and therapies, supply specialized and custom assistive devices, and counsel family as needed. On top of that, the parents are taught vocations, parenting skills, and have the opportunity to connect with other families in the program. Our Family and Disability Program truly changes the lives of so many. This is orphanage prevention!

Our program needs more Care Team Members supporting, praying for, and championing these families. We need you!

Program Fees

Below are photos of the amazing children that are currently enrolled. Just click on any one of them to set up your recurring monthly donation and become a Family and Disability Program Care Team Member! Fees have been divided into $25 increments so that you can select your amount of monthly support.