Hello The Downs Benefice!
We’d love for you to join Karis Kids. On this page you can find lots of info about who we are, what we’re doing, and how you can get involved.
We’ve already seen God do magnificent things over the last 12 years of partnership. You can hear stories about that if you keep scrolling below. ⬇
Join us in this model of Kingdom partnership and help build a family and a future for those trapped by poverty. Email me (will.law@kariskids.org) or Carol Coleman (downs.benefice@kariskids.org) if you’d like to become a Link Family.
Blessings,
What is Karis Kids?
Watch this 90-second video interview with Ketrah Turyakira (director of the Karis team in Uganda), introducing Karis Kids.
The Mission
A family and a future for children trapped by poverty in Kampala, Uganda.
The Model
Church to Church links
The Downs Benefice is linked to St Paul’s Okuvu in Okuvu (pronounced uh-koo-voo), who work within Kinawataka/Mbuya slums.
The Downs Benefice formed this partnership 10 years ago in January 2012.
Family to Family links
100% of the money given goes to supporting the families in Kampala.
It helps support…
school fees
beds with mosquito nets
supplementary food and household basics
medical expenses
pastoral support, career guidance and life skills training
The Downs Benefice links help support…
9 families
12 carers
43 children
Key Distinctives
- 100% of your donation helps your family
Private donors plus the Gift Aid on donations cover our operating costs, so 100% of your donation goes towards helping your family in Kampala.
- We support the whole family
Child sponsorship programmes can sometimes lead to family divisions. By sponsoring the whole family we help every child progress together.
- The local church do the work
We build relationship and give resources to empower the local church to rewrite the story of their community.
- Families grow to support themselves
We help each child break the cycle of poverty through education, opportunity and job training. This, in turn, helps families become self-sustaining.
- Two-way transformation
This is not a one-sided programme of social relief. God’s grace (Greek: charis) is at work in both UK and Ugandan families as we build his kingdom.
- We share Jesus
We share the good news of Jesus. And we see many respond to his love and give their lives to him.
Before & After
Hear first-hand from carers and children the difference Karis Kids has made in their lives in this 5 minute video.
“You have made me to become someone who can be recognised in a society and responsible.”
“All [we] prayed for was to get a saviour who could be there for our family and so it was that God sent you to us and answered our prayers because he tells us that whenever we shall call unto him he will always answer unto us. Many say that roses are the most beautiful thing one can give to another, but on our side it changed because you are the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to our family.”
“…because there are the likes of you in the world, you make it possible for the likes of me to touch what we would never have dreamed of touching in our lives.”
Become a Link Family
We want you to become a Link Family.
You can support a whole Ugandan family at £100/month or you can support a family along with others at £10/month.
Become a Link Family
Email Carol at downs.benefice@kariskids.org or…
FAQs
What happens after I sign up?
If you sign up, here is what happens next:
Edward Law will email you an online application and the giving forms.
The ‘run-in’ phase begins. This 3 month time allows…
the team in Uganda to identify the most eligible family
to build funds ready for the starting date
Your family is chosen!
They’ll receive bunk beds, mattresses, mosquito nets and other necessities. We’ll contact you right away with a family profile and some letter writing prompts so you can start getting to know one another.
Can I form my own group?
Yes! You can join with another family or as part of a house group. We ask you to only consider people who you are going to be connected with for several years to come. We can also administrate the group on our end, where you don’t need to know the larger UK group you’re part of.
How do you pay for the cost of staff and admin fees?
100% of your donation goes towards supporting the family. However, Gift Aid on the donation go towards staff and admin costs. This overhead cost is also supported by private donations from generous supporters.
How many children are in a typical family?
On average, there are five children and one carer. However, there is no typical family in the slums. In some situations, some carers have looked after up to 13 children. Many of the children are orphans, having lost their parents to HIV.
Can I just give financially without the communication with the Link Family?
Yes. It is possible to enable financial giving without letter-writing or video messages between you and the Ugandan family if this is your preference. In this scenario, we would find another group or person to help support the relationship through messages. Please talk to our team if this is your preference.
How do I send messages to my family?
You can send messages to your family in a variety of ways! It’s your choice.
through writing letters
through emailing our team
through video messages sent to our team over WhatsApp
Our Ugandan families especially love photos, so we always encourage sending a family picture either digitally or physically.
How often do I have to send letters/videos?
We prompt our UK Link Families 2 or 3 times a year to do this. Some families stay in more frequent contact through certain seasons of life and some do less. In either case, this is your relationship which we help support through reminders.
Will I receive messages from my family?
You will receive letters from the family that are checked by our Ugandan staff. This is to ensure no inappropriate boundaries are crossed.
Our team will also inform you if there are any important situations with your Link Family for you to pray or help with.
How long am I committing to give for?
When you join Karis Kids you partner directly with a family in Uganda, whose needs are unique to them. For this reason you can expect a commitment for around 5 to 10 years.
As the years progress, our strategy changes to help the family support themselves, which is known as our “Finishing Well” programme. We budget for this in your monthly donation from the beginning.
I have another question!
Please see our FAQ section on the Link Family page of our website. If your question isn't answered there, email Julie Winning or, if your question is related to finances, email Edward Law.
Become a Link Family
Email Carol at downs.benefice@kariskids.org or…