The Boaz Project’s model is built around the central idea that Christian leaders from within a community are the best caregivers for its children. They know the language and culture; they look like the children they serve. They are able to keep the children in an environment that is familiar to them. Most importantly, they can testify with whole-hearted conviction that Jesus loves the children in their care.
Because we rely on these partners to provide the daily hands-on care for orphans, it is critical that we choose ones who are highly qualified to provide the absolute best possible environment for the children in their care. For this reason, we depend upon a highly vetted network within of those ministering to orphans for referrals.
Once potential partners are referred to us, we screen them for:
A Shared Vision
Because The Boaz Project’s top priority is that orphans come to know their loving Heavenly Father, it is imperative that our partners agree. By asking potential partners about their call to orphan ministry as well as their goals for the home and for the children—and by observing the children!—we can typically determine if offering the children the gospel message is of first importance to the home.
Openness to a Family-Style Model
God ordained the biological family as the ideal environment in which children should be raised. Because sin entered the world, this is not an option for all children. When it isn’t possible for a child to stay in their family due to parents’ death, abuse, or desertion, it is our goal to come as close as possible to replicating the family model. Therefore, we look for partners who are committed to raising orphans in the model that gets as close to a family-style home as their government will allow.
Reliability and Accountability
Reliability and accountability are non-negotiable traits in our ministry partners. In order for The Boaz Project to be able to answer to the U.S. government and our donors for the use of donated funds, we need our partners to provide receipts accounting for every dollar we send them. These receipts must be received before we send the next month’s support.
An Eagerness to Learn
Since raising children from trauma is a difficult job, we look for partners who are eager to constantly learn and improve their parenting. We are happy to offer ongoing training, but it’s only helpful if the caregivers receive and apply it.
Willingness to Communicate
Clear and effective communication is vital to any successful partnership, so we look for partners who are willing to give us frequent updates on their home as well as listen to others’ ideas and feedback. This enables us to work collaboratively, resolve conflicts constructively, and pray over current requests on behalf of the home.
Selecting the right partners is critical to the success of The Boaz Project’s model and of the orphans we hope to serve. By limiting our partners to those with a shared vision, an openness to a family-style model, strong accountability, an eagerness to learn, and a willingness to communicate, we can be assured that orphans’ lives are being changed for the better.
Thanks for sharing the qualifications – it truly emphasizes the dedication of these caregivers while doing this beautiful work in the name of Jesus!
Having partners that share your vision is truly a blessing to the children and the ministry . Thankful God has guided you to each person that serves and loves these children
I like that ‘shared vision’ is before all else. I think that even for the orphanage itself, this value ought to be number one when looking to partner with any agency or person. There is nothing more important than the need for Jesus Christ, and when all parties agree to that it is a special arrangement.
Loved reading about these guidelines! I think all of them are critical, and am so glad the ministry has great partners to serve alongside! I definitely agree that communication is the foundation of all of the rest, and am so glad it’s such a focus!
What great qualities to have!!!! Having a shared vision and being willing to learn and communicate is so important. I love the family style approach! God bless The Boaz Project!
Excellent qualities to have in searching for new partners and your current partners.
Truly, the standards you have set provide a strong foundation that ensures you get caregivers who align not only with the vision of the ministry but also with the solid principles that help children grow in a safe and nurturing environment.
In every successful journey there’s preparation for it.The way you organize and focus on the vision shows clearly where your destiny is and what you aim for the fulfilment of the work of God.
It is important to have qualifications to become a partner, and to share those with interested donors. They are excellent qualities and seem like they are beneficial to the orphans, caregivers and the organization.
Reading this blog post puts into perspective what the model for the Boaz Project is and how it is focused on showing Christ and caring for the children in its care. So incredibly grateful to be a part of such a great organization!