FAQs about SLF Projects
On this page you will find some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about SLF's programmes. If your question is not answered here, please visit the 'What You Can Do' FAQ page for additional answers about donations, event planning and volunteering.
What percentage of my donation will go directly to those who need it?
Q. What percentage of my donation will go directly to those who need it?
A. We are seriously committed to ensuring that 90% of your contribution goes directly to support project work in Africa who need it most. We work very hard to keep our administrative costs (including communications, fundraising and personnel) to below 10% of our revenue.
Projects We Fund
Q. How do you choose the projects you fund?
A. The Foundation considers every project thoroughly. We select community projects within our mandate – in countries where we have contacts on the ground who can evaluate the projects and be certain that donations get to those most in need. All of the projects we currently fund have been seen first-hand by Stephen Lewis, or by someone closely associated with the Foundation. We accept proposals on an ongoing basis, however we continue to build slowly and carefully.
Q. Does the Stephen Lewis Foundation fund the direct delivery of drugs to people with AIDS in Africa?
A. The Stephen Lewis Foundation does not currently direct money to treatment (ARV drugs).This is a desperately difficult decision, with which we continue to struggle. For the moment, however, we cannot fund treatment directly. The reasons for our decision can be found at the 'The SLF and funding ARVs (antiretroviral drugs)' page.
Adopting/Sponsoring A Child
Q. I want to adopt/sponsor a child. Where do I go?
A. Adopting/sponsoring children is not a realm in which the SLF has any experience. We can tell you that there are programs at Foster Parents Plan, CARE, and World Vision International, as well as a slightly different approach, which we think is worthy: www.keepachildalive.org. Also, you can get information about international adoption from Adoption Services of Provincial Child Welfare authorities or Children's Aid Societies in each of the Provinces and Territories in Canada.
Targeted Donations
(By Mandate Area or Country)
Q. I want my donation to go to people in a specific country in Africa. How can I do this?
A. Please make your donation payable to 'Stephen Lewis Foundation' and put the name of the country on the reference line. We will designate the money to projects in the country you identify.
Q. I want my donation to help grandmothers, but I don't know which projects are doing that.
A. Just put the word 'grandmothers' on the reference line and we will designate the money to a project that helps grandmothers. (The same applies to orphans, women, and people living with HIV/AIDS.)
Q. How can I find out about the projects my donation is going to?
A. Visit our 'Projects We Fund' page to read about some of the more than 270 projects in 15 countries that SLF has funded since 2003.
Volunteering in africa
Q. I am a retired teacher/doctor/engineer and would like to travel to Africa and volunteer there for a short period. Where can I go?
A. See answer below.
Q. I heard Stephen speak and was inspired by him. I'd like to take up his call and volunteer in Africa. Where should I go?
A. Below is a list of Canadian organizations assisting Canadians who volunteer abroad.While we cannot specifically recommend them, most are members of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC) - an organization in which we have confidence and to which we give our heartfelt support.
CCIC Member Organizations
Canada World Youth |
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Canadian Crossroads International |
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Canadian Executive Service Organization |
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CUSO |
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MSF-Canada |
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OXFAM-Quebec |
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Voluntary Service Overseas Canada |
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World University Service of Canada (WUSC) |
Non-CCIC Organizations
Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD) |
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United Nations Association in Canada |
Youth Challenge International |
Internships in Africa
Q. I am writing to see if the Stephen Lewis Foundation is interested in helping us send interns to work with organizations in Africa. We would basically need contacts at organizations abroad that are doing good work and could use an intern with technical skills.
A. For overseas employment and intern opportunities, we simply don't have the capacity to facilitate connections with groups on the ground – that's not really the work of the Foundation. However, we do provide links to organizations which have volunteer programs in Canada or Africa in the 'Getting Involved' section of Links page.
Q. I am planning to do a 6-month internship/exchange in Africa. Do you have any contacts that you could pass on to me?
A. When it comes to employment and intern opportunities, we simply don't have the capacity to facilitate connections with groups on the ground– that's not really the work of the Foundation. However, we do provide links to organizations which have volunteer programs in Canada or Africa in the 'Getting Involved' section of Links page.
Partnership/ Twinning with African Groups
Q. During Mr. Lewis' talk he mentioned that your office is working on creating partnerships between Canada and Africa. Is there a role our school/university/hospital can play? I was motivated to possibly twin a school/hospital/university in Africa to provide some support. Would you be able to send some information to us regarding this?
A. A good place to start is ICAD, the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development. They have a page dedicated to twinning: www.icad-cisd.com/content/twinning.cfm?lang=e
If your question was not answered above, visit the FAQs in the 'What You Can Do' section for additional answers on donations, planning events and volunteering.