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KUSEWERA SPONSORSHIP and PENPAL POLICIES and GUIDELINES

Thank you for your commitment to the connect with the kids at the Kusewera Community Center in Malawi, Africa!

In order to participate in this program, we have set some guidelines and policies to assure that all sponsors and pen pals are aware of what is expected, what is not and how best to support the child or staff member they are connected to.

Sponsors and Pen Pals may send a letter and a few pictures to be given to a Kusewera team member going to Malawi next, to be hand delivered to the child (or staff member). The letters should be general updates, encouraging working hard in school and good behavior, etc. All letters will be reviewed by a Kusewera staff or committee member prior to being delivered to the child. The children (or staff member) will be encouraged to write a letter (or draw a picture) for their sponsor or pen pal at least once a year and Kusewera will make it's best efforts to give updates on the child (or staff member) as often as possible, with a minimum of once per year. Letters and photos may either be handed to Karen in person, emailed to Kusewera@gmail.com (if large image size, please send via a link), or they can be mailed to: Kusewera 321 N Pass Ave, #353, Burbank, CA 91505. Attn: Sponsorship/Pen Pal.

If you are a donor, your sponsorship does not go directly to your assigned child and they do not receive any funds. Rather they are assured they are getting the best possible opportunities. Each child will have their own guidelines to follow and must commit to staying in school, have satisfactory attendance, work hard and must conduct themselves with good behavior in order to participate. Any participating child that a Kusewera staff has identified as not eligible, the sponsor or pen pal will be notified and assigned another child if they choose. However, the originally assigned child may work to become eligible again and sponsor funds will still benefit the general kids in the program. All funds, will still benefit the children, staff and programs as a whole.

In addition, Kusewera reserves the right to determine initial or continued participation. Should a child and their family move away from the general Kusewera Village area, Kusewera will make it's best efforts to maintain contact with the child and their family to assure their basic needs are being met. Full sponsorship will depend on the distance and actual involvement in the local Kusewera programs.

We are not working in Malawi to give handouts. No sponsor or pen pal is allowed to give money to a child, staff member or anyone Kusewera works directly with through our programs in Malawi, as that only perpetuates the poverty problem and the mindset of expecting a handout. Anyone who gives money directly to a Kusewera staff member, or child/adult in the villages we serve or to anyone Kusewera works with directly in Malawi for our programs, who is asking for money will be terminated as a Kusewera sponsor or penpal. Any and all financial transactions will be handled through Kusewera only. Sponsors and pen pals should not make promises of gifts or experiences that are not discussed and approved by Kusewera beforehand. Sponsors and pen pals will not be given special privileges to single out their sponsored child or staff member for excursions, gifts, experiences, etc.

Kusewera distributes material gifts with specific purpose and intention. Material gifts are not handed out randomly, and are generally handed out when there is enough for everyone, or someone earns it. Many useful items are donated and distributed in an orderly and planned manner under the supervision of Kusewera and its assigned staff. These include but are not limited to educational supplies, specific necessary clothing items, feminine hygiene items, general hygiene and health items as well as items used in the programs such as sports equipment, art/creative supplies, musical instruments, etc. If a sponsor or pen pal would like to donate something specifically for their child or staff member, they may add it to the donation center with their name on it for the next general distribution.

If a sponsor or pen pal visits Kusewera Village in Malawi, they may absolutely spend dedicated time with their chonnected child and develop a deeper connection, however it is imperative that all children get love and attention and not just simply the one child. The other kids do notice, and we do not support exclusion.

Kusewera does not tolerate hate, prejudice or words and acts of discrimination or language that supports anything of the like. Promoting an ideology that doesn't encourage love, unity and inclusion is prohibited. Any sponsor or volunteer who engages in such activity will be immediately dismissed as a Kusewera sponsor, pen pal or volunteer.

Kusewera volunteers should not undermine the mission and policies of Kusewera and its leaders. Any and all dealings with Kusewera staff, children and people we serve, including sponsorship and program donations will be handled through Kusewera.

Kusewera will not tolerate emotional, psychological, or physical abuse of any kind, especially against any children participating in our programs or against volunteers, staff and anyone else affected by the presence of Kusewera and its programs. This misbehavior negatively impacts the people of Malawi, and the image and reputation of Kusewera.

If policies are not followed, Kusewera reserves the right to end the sponsor's or pen pal's (or volunteer's) involvement with Kusewera.

Kusewera is a U.S. tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Consistent with IRS guidelines, Kusewera affirms that goods or services of only insignificant value have been provided to you. Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by US law. Kusewera is also a registered and recognized NGO in Malawi, and a member of Congoma.

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I understand that checking this box constitutes a legal signature confirming that I acknowledge and agree to the above terms and policies.

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