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Frequently asked questions
> Why sponsor a child?
> Why become an EveryChild sponsor?
> What can I expect from my sponsorship?
> How much does it cost to sponsor a child?
> Where can I sponsor?
> How does EveryChild use sponsors’ donations?
> How long does sponsorship of a child last?
> Can I visit a project and meet the child I sponsor?
> Can I send a gift to the child I sponsor?
> Can I tell people about the child I sponsor?
> How else can I help EveryChild?
Why sponsor a child?
More than 24 million children across the globe grow up without parental care, their survival often threatened by greater risk of malnutrition, violence and exploitation; their future lost by missing out on school. Sponsoring a child is your chance to learn through a one-to-one, personal connection how your support is vital in helping children like these have a happy childhood.
Why become an EveryChild sponsor?
EveryChild is the only international development charity focused on helping children who have lost or risk losing parental care. Our sponsors provide vital support in ensuring the care and safety of these children across all of our projects.
What can I expect from my sponsorship?
As a sponsor, you will have a one-to-one link with a child participating in one of EveryChild’s sponsorship projects. You will receive two communications a year - either from the child you sponsor or from someone writing on their behalf, such as a project worker. You can write to the child you sponsor or even send them a message through our website. The children really enjoy hearing from sponsors and messages are shared with family and friends. You will also receive annual project updates which will give you an insight into the issues faced by the community where the child you sponsor lives, and how your support is making a lasting difference. Our ChildWorld magazine will tell you about how your support is helping to improve the lives of other vulnerable children across the globe. Find out more.
How much does it cost to sponsor a child?
Sponsorship costs a minimum of £15 per month - just 50p a day - although many of our sponsors give £18 a month or more. In 2009/10, for every pound we raised, 73p was spent on charitable activities, 26p on fundraising and 1p on governance. For more information, see our latest annual review.
Where can I sponsor?
There are currently children who would like to be sponsored in our sponsorship projects in India and Malawi.
How does EveryChild use sponsors’ donations?
From our experience spanning over 25 years, we know the best way to bring the utmost benefit for all the children and families we work with. Sponsorship contributions don’t go directly to one child as the best support for a child comes from looking at the wider issues affecting all children, not one child in isolation. Sponsored children are part of a community-based project where we can be sure they will be living for a number of years, and where you can support them over that time.
In other projects, however, we are working with children who are in such fragile circumstances, such as children living on the streets or children in families at crisis point, that it is not appropriate or feasible for them to be sponsored. We need to work with these children just as much, but our support is short-term, helping children and families get back on their feet.
For this reason, we combine all our sponsors’ generous donations and distribute them across our programmes so we are able to ensure the child you are supporting will benefit from the project they are part of, while also reaching out to other communities and children, including those who are not sponsored. As costs can vary from one project to another, it also allows us to use donations more efficiently.
How long does sponsorship of a child last?
Children usually stay in our projects until they are 18 years old. However, there are a number of reasons why they might not need to be sponsored for this long and leave the project earlier. For example, their situation may have improved so much that they no longer need the project’s support or their family may move away from the project area. When the time comes that the child you sponsor is no longer in need of your support, we will write to you and hope that you will be able to continue your sponsorship by reaching out to another child who needs your help.
Can I visit a project and meet the child I sponsor?
Yes, sponsors can visit our sponsorship projects. Sponsor visits are arranged through our UK office and a member of staff from EveryChild’s local partner organisation will accompany you on a one-day visit to a sponsorship project. If the sponsor and child wish to meet each other, it is possible for this to be arranged. If you would like to make a visit, we recommend that it is part of a holiday and ask that you give us three months' notice so that all the necessary arrangements can be made. To ensure our visits are safe for the children in the community, all visitors must agree to our terms and conditions and complete a Disclosure Scotland criminal background check. Please read our Child Protection Policy and download our visits pack for more information. To enquire about a visit, email childsponsorship@everychild.org.uk or call 020 7749 2480.
Can I send a gift to the child I sponsor?
Your sponsorship is the greatest gift. Just knowing that someone on the other side of the world cares about them is a huge gift for the child you sponsor. Drawings, photographs and postcards from you are the best way to show you are thinking of them. If you really want to send a gift, we encourage our sponsors only to send small, inexpensive items that will be shared and enjoyed by all of the children in our projects - please don’t send individual items like clothing or jewellery, as our experience shows these can cause jealousy among the children.
Can I tell people about the child I sponsor?
We are delighted for you to tell your family and friends about the child you sponsor. However, the children and families we work with are in vulnerable situations and we have a duty to protect them. We therefore ask that you respect their anonymity and dignity and refrain from sharing their details with any press, broadcast media or websites. Thank you for your sensitivity and understanding.
How else can I help EveryChild?
There are many other ways you can support EveryChild besides being a sponsor. Please visit our website to find out how to get involved.
If you have any other questions about EveryChild sponsorship, please call us on 0207 749 2480 or email childsponsorship@everychild.org.uk.
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