Christian Mission Aid
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Recently, we received an e-mail from the mother of a seven year old girl who had a burden in her heart to help the children in Africa. She had saved her allowance money and wanted to use it to help kids in Africa. Her father was concerned that with many Mission Organization, a large portion of the money goes to administrative costs and "red tape". CMA Director, Larry Kitchel took the time to write back to her, and we think anyone who is considering a donation to CMA might be interested in his response. Here is the e-mail, along with Larry's response:
Dear Connie and Connie's daughter:
My name is Larry Kitchel and I am the Director of
Christian Mission Aid.
As you can see I am copying this letter to several
people, One is a man named Jason who is a school teacher who is right now
teaching for a while in some schools here in Kenya. He is out for a
visit just to see the needs, how they are taken care of and to also help in
some schools for a short time. I think he will be able to tell you about some
of the needs and opportunities if you would like to send him an email.
You may have to wait a bit though because he does not return to the USA until
next week and I guess school begins right away there so he will be pretty busy
for a few days.
You asked some really good questions that I think
it would be good if everyone asked the same. It is very important for us all
to be accountable for the work being done. Steve and Don are the other two
people that I am sending the email to. Steve is a CMA rep. in Michigan
and he does the money transfer and receipting things so he know all the
answers about that if you have any other queries. Don is our web master
and he has been over here to Africa many times and can also answer questions.
Both of these guys like to correct me if I am wrong so that is why I am
sending this to them.
I am really proud of you having a
heart for other Children and ones so far from your home. There are great
many great needs all over the world and especially for so many children around
your age. In Africa, The needs seem to be the greatest but the need is really
pretty much world wide.
We can pretty much steer your money to several
needy areas such as for clothes, food, school supplies or medicines that are
needed. You tell us what you would like. We have an office in Michigan
where you can send the money and it will be transferred straight here to
Kenya. There are some costs taken out and these are to pay for the
administrative costs such as for the money transfer, the receipting and we
will send you a report. This comes to about 15 percent which means that
about $4.50 of your $30 dollars will be used to help cover the cost needed
to handle it. No other costs are taken from it over here in Africa.
If it is for a specific need such as for clothes,
or lets say for a Christmas gift for the orphanage kids, The money will be
added to other money that comes in and rather than to just buy one child a
present we will buy them all one so there are none left out. the same with
clothes or with food. Christmas time is always a time for gifts like yours and
it is not too early to be thinking for next Christmas because we must begin
to try to get the best bargains and things early before the prices go up. It
is a time when we like to tell the Story of Jesus and do other special things
for the kids. We always have some of the new kids some a bit older than you
that have never had a Christmas or even know what it is about so we have to
tell them. Tell your dad that although I do know what he is thinking
about the "Red Tape", that is minimized by the way we have only a
small office there and most of us here are missionaries which means we raise
our support before we come here so none of your money will go for that. That
way our overhead costs are cut to a minimum.
I will send you a report with pictures on what is
done with your money, It will be good enough to show your mom and dad and to
whomever you like. I wish I knew your name, I would like to encourage you to
continue your interest in the needs in missions. I would like to invite you
and your parents to visit us in Africa which many people do, so you could see
and help encourage the kids here. But maybe later on that can happen.
I hope I have answered your questions and if you
have others please feel free to ask any of the people or myself. We would be
happy to answer you.
May God Bless you and your family.
Larry Kitchel
Director Christian Mission Aid
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