Ribka

About Us

History and Creation

Canadian Advocates for the Adoption of Children (CAFAC) was founded as a non-profit organization in 1995 by a group of parents who had recently adopted children from Ethiopia. While in Ethiopia, they became aware of the overwhelming poverty in that countrey, and decided to do something - anything - to help.

CAFAC started by sponsoring community development projects in Ethiopia, and by acting as adoption facilitators for Canadians wishing to adopt from Ethiopia. In 1999, under newly drafted legislation, CAFAC licensed as an adoption agency, specializing in inter-country adoption. As the adoption work has grown and expanded into several countries, so has the opportunity for humanitarian service.

It became evident that CAFAC could no longer handle both adoption and service projects. An informal foundation called "Labour of Love" was created under the direction of the CAFAC board. However, the board soon recognized that the humanitarian objectives would be best achieved by a completely separate organization, with a completely separate and independent board.

A founder’s meeting was held in January 2003. A board of directors and an executive were elected. General aims and purposes were established, and possible activities identified. The new foundation was named the Canadian Humanitarian Organization for International Relief. Since that time, Canadian Humanitarian has continued to grow and mature. After incorporation, Canadian Humanitarian received Charitable Status on April 1, 2004. This allows us to issue Tax Receipts for all donations made to the organization and its programs.

As some time passed, the natural maturing of Canadian Humanitarian initiated a slight identity shift. In the summer of 2007, our short name changed from CHOIR to Canadian Humanitarian and a new logo was born - with that came our new website. Visit our blog for recent updates.

Projects We Have Been A Part Of

Prior to Registration as a Charity

A grist mill in Ethiopia
Support and supplies for a primary school in Arsi Negele, Ethiopia
Latrines for the school in Arsi Negele
Participation in the development of a basic medical education

Since Becoming a Registered Charity

Establishing a Foster Home for children awaiting adoption in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Sponsorship for the St. Benedict's Day Nursery and Infant Hospital in St Vincent, West Indies
An expedition of volunteers to St Vincent to re-paint an orphanage, participate in a community cleanup project, and take disabled children from the Infant Hospital on a boat and beach outing
A summer internship of four university students to Haiti to teach English and Computer Classes and help at a local orphanage
An expedition to Ethiopia to train foster families and local government officials in basic childcare techniques and basic hygeine
And much more.

Ongoing Programs, Projects, and Events

See the Programs and Events pages for details on ongoing projects.

We hope to be able to continue to help children around the world through new programs and in new ways.

Events Calendar

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