As a sponsor of a deaf child in Kenya via Angel Covers, I wanted to know more about the organization and how adoptive parents could become involved. Obviously we can't adopt all of the hungry or hurting children in the world, but we can do much with our time and money to help them even as they remain in their native countries.

An added benefit to our families as we provide sponsorship money for children or even make a one-time donation, is teaching compassion to our children at home. We are teaching them that not every child in the world has a warm bed and warm clothing, much less a Gamecube or a large screen television.

In order to gain understanding about Angel Covers, I interviewed co-founder Kari Fillmore.

What inspired you to start Angel Covers?

Angel Covers was started by myself and a friend of mine after I returned home from China with our first daughter. We had purchased squeaky shoes while we were there and all of my friends loved them. My daughter wore them everywhere and we were constantly asked where we got them. We decided to start AC not only as an avenue for donations for orphans, but also as a way that families could support a great cause while receiving products they wanted and needed. We wanted a way for people to be able to support a cause without feeling like they could only donate. Not everyone can donate more than they already have earmarked for charity, and we wanted everyone to have a way to help children. By selling products that parents wanted, but donating the profits to our charitable programs, we were able to benefit both parents and orphans in the world.

In which countries does Angel Covers work?




Angel Covers has started programs for children around the world. We work with orphans or destitute children in Kenya, China, Uganda, and Russia right now. We believe strongly that there are 4 basic needs all children have: medical care, good nutrition, education, and shelter. Without these things, and the support of caring people, children do not have the opportunity to grow, learn, and support themselves in the future.


How did you choose the programs that Angel Covers is involved with?
We believe in a very holistic approach to caring for children. We want them to have everything they need to succeed. We work with children who will never be able to be adopted. We want them to see us as their family, providing their needs and loving them, even if it is from a distance.

Because we try to take care of the kids' needs completely, we have started working in schools in Kenya and Uganda. At these schools, we have food programs, have started orphanages, monitor the education the children receive, and make sure the children receive medical exams as needed. In China, we raise funds to purchase baby bouncers and cribs for orphanages across the country.



We also have sponsorship programs at schools in the Tibetan Autonomous Region, which ensures orphans and impoverished children receive an education.

Are there any organizations in other countries with whom you have linked up to provide services for orphaned children?
We do partner with several organizations, which ensures that the most needy kids are getting services. Angel Covers partners with Love Without Boundaries and Packages of Hope to provide bouncers and cribs to children in China. These 3 organizations work together to ensure that the items purchased are not only needed, but that they are needed by the poorest of orphans.



Additionally, Angel Covers partners with Village Volunteers to provide a sponsorship program for children in Maasai villages in rural Kenya. This program ensures these children receive a formal education while Village Volunteers works with the adults in the villages, teaching them new farming and agricultural techniques.

Have you visited any of the countries yourself to see how the programs are running?
I have been to Kenya and China to work on programs and research possible orphanages or schools where Angel Covers might be able to be involved. We have also had other volunteers who have traveled for the same reasons to China, Kenya and Russia. Seeing projects first hand gives a unique perspective on the strengths of the program and where it can be improved.

What sort of financial accountability is given to you by the programs you run in other countries?
When we aren't traveling, Angel Covers works hard to ensure that every dollar is spent in the most efficient way possible. When funds are sent to other countries for projects, we require receipts for all donations, pictures of how the funds were spent, and reports at least quarterly. We only work with individuals in other countries whom we completely trust and came to us highly recommended.

Next...how to donate, buy gift cards or sponsor children through Angel Covers