Founded in 1985, Child Haven International (CHI) works to help children and women in developing countries who lack food, education, health care, shelter, clothing, and emotional and moral support. CHI runs four main programs: Child Haven homes, SoyaCow Project, Literacy, and a Women’s Program.

Child Haven International has five homes in India, one in Nepal, one in Tibet, and one in Bangladesh. In F2018, CHI transferred $599k to CHI India, $442k to CHI Nepal, and $78k to CHI Bangladesh. As of June 2019, CHI reports having a total of 990 children and 103 women in its homes across Asia. Through its Women’s Program, CHI reports providing education in tailoring and computer science for 80 women.

Child Haven International’s SoyaCow Project distributes SoyaCow machines to its Child Haven homes to produce soya milk and soya products for the children. The SoyaCow machine can make three gallons of soya milk in 30 minutes from 1.7kg of raw soybeans. CHI reports that there are now 400 SoyaCow machines in India and it is being promoted in Africa. Additionally, over 50 women in various parts of India have been trained as SoyaCow technicians.

In the News: January 5, 2019 CTV and Ottawa Citizen reported the arrest of Paul McCarthy for child pornography. Ottawa Police said its investigation has identified the victims as Nepalese boys under the age of 16 and are concerned there could be further victims. In media reports, Child Haven's founder referred to McCarthy as a "long-time donor and volunteer". On February 24, 2019, Child Haven informed Charity Intelligence that McCarthy was not a volunteer, only a visitor to its Nepal home for children. Furthermore, Child Haven shares that McCarthy donated $50 once in 2012. Child Haven is fully cooperating with Canadian and Nepali police and immediately provides professional counseling services to children impacted. McCarthy has traveled extensively and previously worked with CARE Canada from 1992-1995 as director of Indonesian operations and later for the World Bank. Safeguarding is a critical function for all charities working with children. Donors must ask about and examine a charity’s safeguarding policies and, most importantly, practices. 

Child Haven International is a ­­­­medium-sized charity, with total donations and special events revenues of $1.7m in F2018. Administrative costs are 5% of revenues (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs are 6% of donations. For every dollar donated, 89 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

Funding reserves of $2.3m (of which $1.3m are donor-endowed) can cover 1.4 years of annual program costs. Excluding donor-endowed funds, CHI can cover seven months of annual program costs.

­­This charity report is an update that has been sent to Child Haven International for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 1, 2019 by Lauren Chin.

Updated on February 24, 2019 by Kate Bahen clarifying Child Haven's statement that the accused was not a volunteer, only a visitor at its home for children in Nepal, with additional information from Ottawa police and the size and year of the donation.