Becoming a host family

Would you like to take in a sick child and play an essential role in his or her recovery? Every year, thanks to the commitment of volunteer host families, around 80 children who cannot benefit from an operation in their home country undergo surgery and recover in France. Find out how you can get involved by becoming a host family.

Being a host family with La Chaîne de l’Espoir

A sick child welcomed into a family in France

As a volunteer host family, you offer a sick child a stable, comforting environment during this difficult period in his or her life. Temporary accommodation begins as soon as the child arrives and lasts until he or she returns home, usually for an average of two months. You accompany the child to pre-operative medical appointments, during hospitalization and throughout convalescence.
Although this is a voluntary role, medical expenses are covered by La Chaîne de l’Espoir.

Criteria for becoming a host family

Welcoming sick children with heart and energy

Being driven

Live less than an hour from the hospitalization site

Be available 24/7 during the entire reception period

Zeinabou, Mariam and Aichatou with their host family and Dr Daouda
Foster families can be couples, couples with children, singles, etc.
The only requirements are acceptance of the child and a willingness to share both happy and difficult times. It is possible to combine childcare with employment, provided that at least one member of the household does not work. In other words, a single person working full-time would not be in a position to care for a sick child.

“Every welcome is unique, because every child is different. But in every case, it’s a mutually enriching experience. These are wonderful moments of sharing, where we learn to live together, with respect for customs, cultures and languages”.

Claudine Moriclet, volunteer foster carer in Nantes since 2008

Testimonials from our host families

Discover the inspiring stories of our volunteer foster families, from welcoming sick children to their recovery. Immerse yourself in these authentic and enriching stories of each child’s journey to recovery.

Your questions, our answers

How long does it take to care for a sick child?

On average, a sick child is cared for for 2 to 3 months. During this period, a daily presence is essential to ensure the child’s well-being and recovery. The convalescence period ends with the surgeon’s approval, allowing the child to return to his or her home country.

Volunteers and staff from La Chaîne de l’Espoir’s Caring for Children in France program are available by phone at any time to help and support you.

“A wonderful humanitarian mission that requires time but above all a lot of kindness and love” Sophie, volunteer foster family since 2021 in Bordeaux

When and how is the volunteer foster family notified of a child's arrival?

As the majority of the children we take on are in emergency situations, we contact you by telephone about a month before their arrival. If you are available, we will send you the child’s file. This file contains all the information you need toprepare for the child’s arrival.

Which children are cared for? What pathologies do they suffer from?

La Chaîne de l’Espoir helps sick foreign children in need, aged between 6 months and 18 years, mainly from Africa.

Pathologies covered :

  • Heart surgery
    90% of children undergoing surgery in France
  • Maxillofacial and reconstructive surgery
    After-effects of burns, injuries and congenital deformities
  • Orthopaedic surgery
    Upper and lower limbs
  • Visceral surgery
    Congenital malformations
  • Ophthalmic surgery
    Children who can recover following a simple operation (cataract)
Which healthcare establishments are partners of La Chaîne de l'Espoir?

The following health facilities are partners of La Chaîne de l’Espoir and operate on sick children in France:

  • Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP),
  • Centre Médical du Château des Côtes Les Loges en Josas,
  • Centre de Réadaptation Cardiaque Les Grands Prés,
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Caen,
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Dijon
  • Center Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Félix Guyon de La Réunion,
  • Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV),
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Nantes,
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Rennes,
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Toulouse
  • Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire (CHRU) de Tours,
  • Clinique Brétéché de Nantes,
  • Clinique Chirurgicale de Boulogne Billancourt,
  • Clinique Louis Pasteur Toulouse,
  • Clinique Médipôle Garonne,
  • Hôpital Bichat,
  • Hôpital Armand-Trousseau,
  • Hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou Paris,
  • Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild,
  • Hôpital Haut-Lévêque Pessac Bordeaux,
  • Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades Paris,
  • Hôpital Robert-Debré,
  • Hôpital Saint-Joseph Paris,
  • Hôpital de la Timone Marseille,
  • Hospices Civils de Lyon,
  • Institut Mutualiste Montsouris.

How can I become a volunteer host family?

To initiate the process, send an e-mail to fa@chainedelespoir.org, specifying your place of residence and telephone number. You will then be directed to the referents in your area, who will answer any questions you may have.

Residents of Paris or Île-de-France: An interview will be held at the association’s Paris head office.
Residents of other regions in France: Local managers will receive you for an interview.

A volunteer host family charter, detailing responsibilities and mutual commitments, will be presented to you during the interview.

Is your application validated?
We grant you a period of reflection. If you still wish to host sick children in France with La Chaîne de l’Espoir, we will provide you with a complete file to complete, including the administrative information required, as well as the documents necessary to support this temporary hosting initiative.