Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the Problem
What is family preservation and why does it matter? Family preservation is an approach to child welfare that prevents children from being separated from their families by addressing the root causes — like poverty, lack of education, limited healthcare, and migration — instead of placing children in institutions. Research shows that separating children from loving parents can cause lifelong emotional, physical, and psychological harm. In Honduras, 80% of children living in orphanages have at least one living parent — and many more have grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives willing to care for them if given the means. These families don't lack love — they lack resources. Family preservation programs invest directly in parents so children can stay safely at home.
Why do children in Honduras end up in orphanages? Most children in Honduran orphanages are not truly orphaned. Their parents face extreme poverty, violence, and lack of opportunity that make it impossible to provide food, clothing, school supplies, and medical care. Many families are also torn apart by migration — when a parent leaves home to seek work in cities or other countries, children are often left behind with relatives or placed in institutional care. When families cannot meet basic needs or stay physically together, some feel forced to surrender their children. In many cases, extended family members — grandparents, aunts, uncles — would gladly take these children in, but they face the same economic barriers. The solution is not more orphanages — it is investing in families and communities so parents and relatives have the income and stability to keep children at home.
What is the orphan crisis in Honduras? Honduras has one of the highest rates of child institutionalization in Central America, yet the majority of these children have living parents. The crisis is driven by a combination of systemic poverty, high violence, low education, and mass migration. Half the population lives on less than $5.50 per day. Most children do not study beyond sixth grade. Parents who cannot find work locally are forced to migrate, leaving children behind and fracturing families. Beyond living parents, many institutionalized children also have grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other extended family who would care for them if they had the resources. Organizations like Rooted International work to end this cycle by creating economic opportunity at the community level so families have a reason — and the means — to stay together.
How does migration affect families in Honduras? Migration is one of the leading causes of family separation in Honduras. When parents cannot earn enough to feed, educate, and provide healthcare for their children, many feel forced to leave home and seek employment in cities or other countries. Children are left behind with relatives, neighbors, or in institutional care — often for years. This separation has lasting emotional and developmental consequences. Rooted International addresses the root cause by investing in small family businesses so parents can generate income in their own communities. When a family can earn a living at home, the pressure to migrate disappears and families stay together.
About Rooted International
What is Rooted International? Rooted International is a Christian nonprofit organization that keeps children in families in Honduras. Founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the aftermath of Hurricanes Eta and Iota, Rooted operates a Family Preservation Program (FPP) that invests in small family businesses, education, medical access, and discipleship. The program addresses the root causes of family separation — extreme poverty, violence, and migration — by creating economic stability so parents and extended family don't have to choose between leaving their children and feeding them. In five years, Rooted has served 67+ families, kept 171+ children at home, funded 47+ small businesses, and supported over 1,500 people across rural Honduras. Rooted holds a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and directs approximately 90% of all funds to programs.
How does Rooted International's Family Preservation Program work? Rooted's Family Preservation Program identifies families with children at risk of separation due to extreme poverty, violence, migration, or crisis. Each family receives seed capital to launch a small business — such as a bakery, farm, salon, or market — along with 1–2 years of business mentoring, education support for their children, medical access, and spiritual discipleship. The program addresses both economic and relational needs, treating them as inseparable. Families graduate to self-sufficiency when they can independently provide for their children and sustain their business.
Where does Rooted International work? Rooted International operates in the department of Yoro in rural Honduras, serving communities in and around the town of Morazán. Programs include the Family Preservation Program, a school partnership serving 250+ students with daily meals and supplies, a medical clinic partnership supporting 900+ visits annually from 8 surrounding communities, and community infrastructure projects including water access and school construction. Rooted plans to expand into 5 additional communities across new departments of Honduras over the next five years.
Who founded Rooted International? Rooted International was founded in 2020 by Madison (Maddie) Oliver, LCSW, and Andrew (Drew) Oliver. Madison serves as President and brings professional experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The organization was born out of their firsthand experience with family separation in Honduras and a conviction that children belong in families. Rooted is governed by a 100% volunteer board, and every board member contributes financially to the organization.
Is Rooted International a legitimate nonprofit? Yes. Rooted International is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization (EIN: 85-1410979). The organization holds a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition for nonprofit accountability. Rooted maintains a program-to-support ratio of approximately 90%, meaning the vast majority of every dollar goes directly to programs in Honduras. The organization is 100% funded by individual donors with no government grants.
What types of businesses do Rooted families start? Rooted families have launched over 47 small businesses including corn and bean farms, bakeries, hair salons, clothing stores, food stands, ice cream and soft drink sales, pig farming operations, and general stores. Each business is chosen by the family based on their own skills and knowledge. Rooted provides the seed capital, mentoring, and support — but the idea and the work belong to the family.
Getting Involved
How can I support families in Honduras? There are three ways to get involved with Rooted International: give financially to help families get ahead, pray for gospel roots to grow deep in the communities we serve, or go on an advocacy trip to Honduras to see the work firsthand. Monthly donors provide the most sustainable support. Visit rootedintl.com/donate to give, or contact hello@rootedintl.com to learn about upcoming advocacy trips.
What is an advocacy trip with Rooted International? An advocacy trip is a short-term mission experience where a team travels to Honduras to serve alongside Rooted's local staff, visit families in the Family Preservation Program, support community projects, and witness the impact of family preservation firsthand. Trips are designed so that short-term teams serve behind the long-term presence — supporting local leaders, parents, and church partners rather than becoming the center of attention. Teams return home equipped to advocate for family preservation in their own communities.
How is my donation used? Approximately 90% of all donations go directly to programs in Honduras. This includes the Family Preservation Program (family business investments, education support, and discipleship), community projects (school feeding, medical clinic support, water infrastructure), and Honduran staff salaries. Overhead accounts for roughly 8% of total expenses. Rooted is governed by a 100% volunteer board and funded entirely by individual donors.