FAQ
How much should I pay each month?
The suggested amount of a child sponsorship is 35.00 per month, although the sponsor may contribute more or less, or may increase the amount at any time. The amount may be sent monthly, quarterly or annually. Please indicate on the reply envelope, on the check or a separate note the name(s) of the girl(s) you are sponsoring. All contributions are tax deductible. The thank you letters you receive will serve as your tax-deductible receipt.
Where should I send my financial support?
Your check(s) should be sent to our US based finance office. All of your contributions are deposited into a Prince of Peace account and reported to the leaders of the Home in Guatemala. It can then be exchanged into Guatemalan currency to care for the needs of the girls. This process allows us to be as efficient as possible.
The support address is: Prince of Peace Home for Girls; P.O. Box 1344; Mt. Sterling, KY 40353.
How long is the commitment?
We ask that you commit to one year if possible. This allows the girl(s) as well as you, the sponsor, to get to know each other. Furthermore, we encourage you to continue sponsoring the child as long as she remains at the Home.
What happens if my child leaves during my commitment of sponsorship?
In this case, we will notify you that your child is no longer at the Home. We will then ask you if you would like to choose another girl to sponsor or we can simply assign a new child to you. We will then send you an updated packet of information about your new child.
Does my sponsoring a girl really make an impact?
YES! The girl(s) that you sponsor will receive opportunities that many other Guatemalan children may never know. The following is a list of services and opportunities:
A Place to call Home
In most cases, the girls that arrive at Prince of Peace come from extremely challenging home environments. Daily the girls have faced abuse, neglect and a life of fear. However, at Prince of Peace, they have the opportunity for a safe and nurturing home staffed by people who truly care about them. Our housemothers or Tias ("Aunt" in Spanish) are interviewed, screened by a senior staffer and trained. The girls are also given a well balanced diet that will provide them the vitamins and minerals needed to grow.
Health Care and Dental
Most often when a child or a teenager arrives at the home, she has seldom, if ever, seen a doctor or a dentist. The Clinic of Hope is a clinic owned and operated by the Home that treats the girls, as well as the community. In addition, the girls are taught personal hygiene, personal development and good health care practices.
Educational Opportunities
Thirty percent of the children of Guatemala receive only a 6th grade education. Each of our girls is required to attend Puerta de Esperanza. This school is located on the grounds of the Home and goes through the 9th grade. When they have completed the 9th grade, the girls are then sent to a private high school. In addition, because many of the girls have a natural gifting for music and art, private teachers are hired to help develop these gifts. If you as a sponsor would like your girl(s) to have this additional opportunity for music and art, you are welcome to send additional funds.
Spiritual Guidance and Growth
Because of your support, the basic needs are met. Furthermore, there is one aspect that is most important, which is spiritual growth and guidance. Each of the staff of Prince of Peace set a Godly example of what it means to follow Christ. Each day the girls spend time alone with the Lord as well as corporately in a group. The Tias and administrative staff also exhort and correct the girls in love according to the guidelines in the Scriptures. The girls also have the opportunity to be involved in a local church, where they truly experience what it means to be a part of the body of Christ.
Am I the only sponsor for the girl that I choose?
No, because the actual cost for all that is listed above comes to $350.00 per month per girl.
What happens if I discontinue my sponsorship?
We understand that your financial situation can fluctuate. Therefore, if you need to discontinue your sponsorship, we will find a new sponsor as soon as possible for this child. In addition, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible of any upcoming changes.
Can I write the girl(s) I sponsor?
Yes absolutely, we welcome your communication with the girls. Our girls love to receive mail and or packages. However, please understand that the postal system of Guatemala is not the most reliable. Often packages can take up to 2-3 months to arrive and may require us to pay an additional postage. We do encourage light weight envelopes with items such as photos, bookmarks or stickers. It is also an incredible help to us if you can have your letters translated into Spanish prior to sending.
Mail can be sent to:
Prince of Peace Home for Girls PO Box 1344 Mt. Sterling, KY 40353
Will my girl write to me?
Yes, you can expect three letters a year and a Christmas card. Email is also welcome to send updates from your family to the girl(s) you sponsor. However we are still in the process of developing a system for the girls to reply and we appreciate your understanding and patience.
Can I send gifts for special occasions?
Yes and No. Again, because of the unreliable postal system we discourage actual gifts unless you are coming to visit in person. However if you want to contribute funds for a special occasion such as Christmas or birthday, you can send it to the Kentucky address and note which occasion it is for. The suggested amount is $5 to $20 per gift. The Home will purchase a gift for the girl keeping with her best interest.
Can I make payments online or have it deducted from my bank account?
Yes. It is as easy as clicking a button. Simply click the GIVE NOW button and choose the electronic method you wish to give; credit card or you can enter information on your checking or savings and have the money automatically deducted from your account. This process is secure and convenient for your giving.
Can I visit the girl that I sponsor?
Yes! You are more than welcome to come and spend some quality time with the girl(s) that you sponsor. We ask that you please check with our team coordinator Leigh Fisher to determine which weeks are available for visiting the home. We want to insure that the time that you have here is in the best interest of your schedule and ours. You can reach Leigh at leighafisher@msn.com or call her at 301 351 9952.
How do I book a team to visit Prince of Peace??
Our team coordinator is Leigh Fisher 301 351 9952 or leighafisher@msn.com or teams@princeofpeacegt.com
What do I need to do when booking a team?
1. 1 year prior to trip, begin communicating with POP representative to discuss possible available dates. Continue ongoing communication with our team coordinator during all preparations via email and cell phone.
2. After we receive your $250 deposit, a date can be confirmed. Your pastor or trip leader should announce the trip in church service, place an announcement in the church bulletin, and email all small group leaders requesting interested participants/ team members. In this announcement, have dates of trip, location of mission trip, leader contact info., and date and location of first meeting. Please note we can accept a maximum of 24 people on teams due to accomidations and transportation.
3. 6 months prior to trip, have an informative meeting for interested participants. * At this meeting, you may want someone who has previously been to POP present to give a brief presentation and field any questions regarding POP. *Pray and suggest team members begin praying for the girls ( go to princeofpeacegt.com; under girls to see who is currently in the home)* Clarify dates of trip, cost of trip($30 per person per night & $100 person project money), expected deadlines for application, passport ( go to www.travel.state.gov/passport for more info). * Make decisions regarding flight arrangements (will each participant find and purchase tickets individually, or will flight arrangements be made as a group; will you use a travel agent?) * Decide if fund raising efforts will be made for the trip. You may want to raise funds for the following: for individuals to participate in the trip, for needed items for POP girls (clothing, towels, school supplies, etc.), special outings with the girls while on trip such as a visit to the water park, zoo, or buy pizza for dinner. Suggestions for fundraisers are as follows: Mission meal, Golf scramble, bake sale, yard sale, and ask specifically for sponsors for each girl. If you plan a fundraiser, set dates and assign responsibilities. *Plan agenda for next meeting.
4. 4 months prior to trip,* deadline to confirm participation in trip by giving leader application and non refundable deposit. Applications can be found at princeofpeacegt.com ; click on “about” and then click on “team manual”. Please make every effort to obtain airline tickets as a group or arrive around the same time to make the pickup flow more smoothly.
5. 3 months prior to trip, have a meeting to * Pray *hand out itinerary for flights, or ensure each team member has made flight reservations. * finalize arrangements for fund raising events. Have all fund raising events completed by the end of this month. *assign responsibility for daily devotions ( 10 -20 min. devotion to be given after breakfast each day to team members)
6. 2 months prior,* confirm all participants have a passport, or have made an appointment to obtain their passport this month.* If flight reservations made as a group, collect cost of flight from each team member and make final payment. *Send one check for room and board ($30 per night per team member to Prince of Peace Ministries, Inc. to PO Box 1344, Mt. sterling, KY 40353.
7. 1 month prior to trip, have final meeting to *pray, *pack any extra carry- on bags which may have items for the POP girls (divide like items up and take all tags off items for immigration purposes); check with airline regarding weight limit on carry on and cost of extra carry on * ensure all participants/team members have their passport. *plan time to meet at airport and or plans for transportation to airport (driving individually or together?) * go over needed items team members will want to pack. * follow up with team members who are responsible for daily devotions.
8. Week before trip, and night before trip, leader to contact each team member to see if they have any questions, needs, and confirm time to be at airport or designated meeting place to go to airport.
9. Enjoy your trip and be prepared for God to change your heart!
10. SPONSOR A GIRL BEFORE YOU LEAVE PRINCE OF PEACE!!
Sponsor A Child
There are many things you can do to serve alongside of those ministering in Guatemala to the needs of the girls of Guatemala through Prince of Peace Home for Girls. Learn more ›
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Teams
Team Manual 2011
Team Leader Commitment Form
Our Calendar
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Prince of Peace Ministries San Cristobal, Guatemala Office: 859.408.9611 P.O. Box 1344 Mt. Sterling, KY 40353
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