protect. empower. love. repeat.
OUR VALUES
Treating each child as our own. Always.
Jesus is at the center of all we do.
Everyone deserves a path to upward mobility.
We serve all religions and faiths.
Caregivers must be cared for and trained.
Integration of indigenous leadership is vital.
All leadership should be well trained in holistic orphan care
We care for the whole person - from vetting into the program through graduation
Mission
To provide a loving and nurturing environment for orphans and vulnerable children by protecting them from becoming victims of extreme poverty and child trafficking so they can grow to fully understand the love of Jesus Christ. We strive to empower forgotten children.
Vision
To safeguard orphans and vulnerable, forgotten children from poverty, abandonment, and the evils of human trafficking, as clearly directed in the Bible. We believe that every child deserves to know their Heavenly Father is crazy about them.
Our history
Since Forgotten Children Worldwide was founded in 1999, we’ve been on a mission to break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time.
It began with the incredible conviction of our founder, Matt Hartsell. He identified the heartbreaking state of life of children in developing countries. He took a first step by providing for a basic need: clothing. From clothing distribution, it turned into orphan home construction. Then child sponsorship. And now self-sustainability and empowerment programming.
Although millions of children worldwide are vulnerable to extreme poverty and human trafficking, we are encouraged. Thanks to our generous partners and sponsors, together we can bring hope and transformation so they have a chance for a hopeful and independent future.
Read Our Full History
U.S. Team
Matt Hartsell
Founder & Executive Director
Kody Kumfer
Associate Executive Director
Jeff Patterson
Marketing Director
Janee Nussbaum
Chief Financial Officer
Jason FRISCH
Development Director
Collin Woolford
Multimedia Specialist
[email protected]
Sarah Bertsch
Child Sponsorship Director & Operations Manager
[email protected]
Shauna Neuenschwander
Finance Assistant
[email protected]
team around the globe
Sara
FCW Uganda
Assistant Executive Director
Cathy
FCW Uganda
Kipindi Mpito Managing Director
Stella
FCW Uganda
Finance Manager
Janet
FCW Uganda
Administrative Assistant
Rebeccah
FCW Uganda
Sponsorship Liaison Officer
Justine
FCW Uganda
Tailoring Instructor (DIT Certified)
Isaac
FCW Uganda
Tailoring Instructor
Victor
FCW Uganda
Lead Watchman
Richard
FCW Uganda
Watchman
Jackson
FCW Uganda
Kipindi Landkeeper & Farmer
Maggie
FCW Uganda
Social Worker for Kampala
Doreen
FCW Uganda
Social Worker for Kaliro
Harriet, Judith, & Martha
FCW Uganda
Harriet & Judith - Matrons/Cooks
Martha - Head Matron & Hair Dressing Instructor
partners
James
Everlasting Life Ministries
Malawi
Maxwell
Grace Orphan Care Centre
Malawi
William
New Life Africa
Uganda
Emmanuel
Side by Side Ministries
Uganda
INdia Partners
For the safety of our partners in India, we will not mention them or picture them here. We are grateful for our 4 partners there and pray for them daily!
Nepal Partners
For the safety of our partner in Nepal, we will not mention them or picture them here. We are grateful for our partner there and pray for them daily!
Hani
Fahasoovana Ministry Madagascar
board members
Matt Bertsch
Board Chairman
PLS, EL – Principal
Bertsch-Frank & Associates
Fort Wayne, IN
Tami Swymeler
Board Secretary
Director of Operations
World Partners/The Missionary Church
Fort Wayne, IN
Duane Burris
Advisory Member
Pastor
Life Community Missionary Church
Fort Wayne, IN
Lisa Isenbarger
Advisory Member
Director of Business Valuation Services
Haines, Isenbarger & Skiba, LLC
Fort Wayne, IN
Keith Koteskey
Advisory Member
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries
Bethel College
Mishawaka, IN
Trout moser
Advisory Member
President
National Oil & Gas
Bluffton, IN
AARON PENCE
Advisory Board Intern
ANDY PARKER
Advisory Member
Financial Advisor
Phillips Financial Management
Fort Wayne, IN
program management team members
Matt Bertsch
Country Advocate - Nepal
PLS, EL – Principal
Bertsch-Frank & Associates
Fort Wayne, IN
Bill HOran
Member
County Director/Extension Educator
Purdue Extension - Wells County
Bluffton, IN
Cory Ivins
Country Advocate - Malawi
Director of Customer Relations & Quality
Roembke Mfg & Design
Ossian, IN
Kody KUmfer
Country Advocate - Uganda
Associate Executive Director
Forgotten Children Worldwide
Bluffton, IN
Michael Lautzenheiser
Member
Director/GIS Manager
Wells County Area Plan Commission
Bluffton, IN
JOsh MIllard
Country Advocate - Uganda
Financial Planner
Crossroads Financial Group
Fort Wayne, IN
Stacey Stucky
Country Advocate - Malawi
Farmer
Bluffton, IN
Janee Nussbaum
Member
Chief Financial Operator
Forgotten Children Worldwide
Bluffton, IN
Jeff Patterson
Transition 2 Success Leader
Marketing Director
Forgotten Chidlren Worldwide
Bluffton, IN
Dave Hedden
Country Advocate - India
ICU RN
Terre Haute Regional Hospital
Terre Haute, IN
Matt Hartsell
CHAIRMAN, COUNTRY ADVOCATE - INDIA
Founder & Executive Direcotr
Forgotten Children Worldwide
Bluffton, IN
Jenna Leatherman
Member
Service Delivery Manager
Showoff
County Tipperary, Ireland
Ben Leatherman
Member
Project Manager & General Contractor
Wagler & Associates
Angola, IN
FCW Partner Locations
Looking for ways to get involved?
If you’re looking for a more hands-on approach to make a Kingdom impact, consider applying for one of our volunteer positions.
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