about us | how we work | history

Our Motivation

The goal of CCDIA's work is to reach out to disadvantaged children through education projects. To do what we can to transform their lives whilst equipping them for the future.

The best people to do this work are visionaries from within the communities themselves, and it is for this reason that CCDIA works principally in partnership with local churches.

Working with Churches

Churches tend to be formed by a good cross-section of the community and are generally well accepted and respected by the wider community. They have clear objectives, leadership and a chain of responsibility already in place.

Crucially, they are able to concentrate on both social and spiritual development. They have the same motivation and vision as us and commit themselves to pray for the children.

Preparing a Project

In the initial stages of project development CCDIA guides the church through the process of drawing up project plan, constitution and contracts and forming and preparing a team.

We work closely with them to define a mission statement, vision and objectives based on the needs identified within their own community and to do so in a tangible and measurable way.

We prepare the team, advising how to approach schools and families and how to deal with difficult parents and disruptive children.

Advisory Role

All projects are owned and run completely by the church to which they belong. CCDIA advises them rather than instructs them how to run a project.

Once the project is established and organisationally more self-reliant, CCDIA's principle role becomes one of counsel and support. Offering both the wisdom of years and the benefits of a strong administrative facility, the projects are able to make the most of independence whilst retaining the strengths of a larger organisation.

Resourcing Projects

One of those strengths is an established identity through which to request and receive donations. Donations, whether financial or in the form of desks, books, food, computers and so on, are redirected to the projects that are able to make best use of them.

The way CCDIA operates results in a very lean organisation with unusually high efficiency. The total cost runs at approximately US$15 per child per month. This cost includes everything - salaries, bills, food and school materials. It is a testimony to the dedication of our employees and volunteers alike that we are able to acheive so much on such meagre resources.

Our way of working is both proven and accessible and the way we share it empowers communities whilst reducing our administrative burden.