Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do the children in Georgia need help?
A: Currently, more than 55% of the population of Georgia lives below the poverty line. Many of them are living in extreme poverty. Many parents simply are not capable of providing the basic necessities for their children due to the economic conditions in Georgia. Some children are in orphanages because their parents cannot afford to feed and clothe them while other children are in orphanages because their parents are unfit to care for them. Some children in the orphanages were abandoned at birth or a young age because of economic hardship.

Q: Where is Georgia, anyhow?
A: Georgia is in Eastern Europe and used to be part of the Former Soviet Union. Georgia shares its northern border with Russia and its southern border with Turkey and Armenia. Georgia’s western border is on the Black Sea and its eastern border is shared with Azerbaijan. The population of Georgia is a little less than 5 million people and the country is about the size of South Carolina. Georgia’s history dates back well over 1000 years and is rich in culture and tradition.

Q: In what specific ways does Divine Child help the children?
A: We are committed to giving the forgotten children of Georgia an opportunity for health and happiness. Our goal is to improve their physical environment by improving their home (their orphanage) with basic necessities such as heat, electricity, toilets, showers, hot water, and a comfortable environment in which to grow up in. We are repairing their buildings and providing them with clothes, shoes, and comfortable bedding. We are also providing the children with a vocational training so that they have an opportunity for survival beyond the orphanage. We also want to provide proper health care and nutrition for these children.

Q: Why is it important to improve the physical situation for the children?
A: Most of the children in the Georgian orphanages expend most of their energy just to survive. In the winter, they all huddle in one room around a leaky and smelly wood stove in an effort to stay warm. The Saguramo orphanage only has one shower for 32 children and no hot water. They have no working toilets. Most only have the clothes on their backs and old and worn out shoes. They have none of the things American children have, such as toys, dolls, sports equipment, bicycles, and computers. Their chances of survival and good mental health are improved dramatically when we can provide them with these types of basic necessities.

Q: If I donate money to Divine Child, how much of it will actually reach the children?
A: So far, every penny donated to the Divine Child Foundation has been spent for the children. Our intention is not just to send money over to Georgia and hope it gets to the children. We physically go to Georgia, spend the money, and see that it goes directly to the children. Kelvin Pierce, the founder, has personally donated money to the foundation to cover the travel expenses so that all other donated funds goes directly to the children. You are able to designate how you want your donation used. As per your wishes, your funds can go directly to the children or it can be used to help cover administrative expenses.

Q: Are there opportunities to volunteer?
A: Yes. Anyone who wishes can volunteer to help us further our efforts. We are in need of help with fund raising, administering to the needs of the children with medical care, mental health care and vocational training, etc. Volunteers with skills for building repairs would also be greatly appreciated.

Q: Do you accept donations of blankets, gifts, etcetera, or do you only accept monetary donations?
A: We have taken over several small loads of items such as clothes, toys, medicine when we travel to Georgia. Most of our relief supplies are purchased in Georgia or neighboring countries so monetary donations are most useful at this time. We are however, working on methods for shipping other donated items to Georgia but have not yet worked this out.

Q: Are there reasons to hope that things will get better for these children?
A: Indeed yes. Even though we have just begun our work in Georgia, we have high hopes for these children. We have seen what happens when people pull together to help and even though the need is great, it is not insurmountable. Our model for helping these children is working and will be used at other orphanages throughout Georgia and other countries.

Contact us if you have any other questions and we will get back to you as soon as we can.