We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Janey DeMeo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Janey, appreciate you joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

One of the craziest things that happened to me—although there have been many more—was when a monkey bit me in India.

My husband and I had taken a small team from France to India to visit our Orphans First children’s homes. As a special outing, we bused the children to a small nearby zoo where I had become friendly with a monkey the day before. He seemed to trust me and had been happy for me to hold him. But with fifty excited children with us, jumping and squealing with excitement, things changed. I picked up my little furry friend and suddenly the little rascal nipped me.

Janey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My husband and I were missionaries and church-planters in France for 22 years. I first became aware of the plight of children back in the 80s when I saw such suffering on the TV. As a young mom, it bothered me, kept me awake at night and caused many tears. I couldn’t just do nothing. We raised up French missionaries who went to other countries such as Romania, Albania, many African countries… And we helped them reach the kids. But we needed to tap into the generosity of Americans to make this sustainable. So I founded Orphans First.

What sets Orphans First apart is that we are grassroots with very little overhead. We identify impoverished neglected children who have no other support other than what we provide. Some of them live in horrible situations where there is abuse, alcohol or drugs. We meet their basic needs and open a new future to them, especially as we focus greatly on education. Most of all, we teach them the Bible and they learn that God loves them very much. Small lives are thus transformed.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Early on in our ministry, my husband and I were visiting several countries in West Africa. I was scheduled to speak to 800 women but I felt ill. Still, the precious women were waiting and I couldn’t let them down. Besides, I was wearing my new handmade African outfit. So I got on the stage and opened that Bible, fever and all. I have no idea what I shared but the women loved it. I then got off the stage, burning up with fever. Apparently, some nasty little mosquito had targeted me as soon as I landed in Africa and given me Malaria.

I was so sick, I was repatriated back to France. But it wasn’t the last time I want to Africa. Once you see those precious kids, who stay away?

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

We are a small ministry and a good number of our donors know me personally. What seems to have drawn them to Orphans First is the integrity factor. People know my husband and I live simply. They know we’ve been to the third-world many times and that we truly care about these children. Every drop of money is spent carefully and, by the same token, we provide for our teams and children so that there is no lack. I think it’s that simple. And it’s all by the grace of God.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.orphansfirst.org
• Instagram: @orphansfirst.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrphansFirst/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsScJK_ijFTpKfiKeivwWg