In this article you will find all the information you need to sponsor a child from a poor country. What organizations are there, where does your money go, and what do you get in return? We also mention the 3 largest organizations where you can go to sponsor a child. Hopefully at the end of this article you will have enough information, and who knows, maybe a child from a poor country will be able to go to school in 2 months! Thanks to you. You want to change something in the world, but don’t think giving money to charities is personal enough. Do you know that feeling? That you would like to see where your money goes, and that you would like to be kept personally informed of progress in poor countries? Then choose to sponsor a child!
How exactly does it work?
Sponsoring a child means that you are assigned your own child. The money you transfer to the organization is used to, for example, give the child food and drinks and to send him or her to school. In return, most organizations will occasionally send you a photo of your sponsored child, and you will be kept informed of your child’s progress, as well as the rest of the area in which your sponsored child lives. This way you are personally involved in the project. Some organizations even allow you to visit your sponsored child! You will then look into the life of your sponsored child for a day or a few days. Of course, this must be requested in advance, but it will certainly be a unique experience!
Writing letters Most organizations also allow you to write letters with your sponsored child. Your sponsored child will be thrilled to receive a letter from their own sponsor! And of course it is also special for you if you receive a letter back, containing full stories about what your sponsored child has experienced and what he can now do thanks to your money. Because some people like to add a little something to the letter, here are some nice tips. Enclose a nice sticker sheet with your letter, or send folding leaves or strips of paper with which the child can enjoy crafting. There are also small games with places for sale in various stores, such as a quartet game! You can also send nice photos of yourself, sponsored children often enjoy learning something about you. Finally, you can add all kinds of beads with thread to your letter, so your sponsor child can make a beautiful necklace or bracelet. Of course, it varies per organization as to whether you can send gifts, and if so, what kind of gifts. Often the letters should not be too thick, because of the delivery of the letter to a distant country.
The different organizations
Here we list the largest organizations for sponsoring a child. This gives you a clear overview and allows you to choose the organization that appeals to you most.
WorldVision
General information:
World Vision is one of the largest development organizations in the world. Christian motivation and identity is one of World Vision’s core values. You can support World Vision through many projects and activities they have set up, one of which is sponsoring a child.
Costs per month:
30 euros, you can pay per month, per quarter, per six months or per year.
About the sponsored children:
You can choose from one of the many sponsored children that can be found on the site, or you can leave the choice to World Vision. They mainly have children between the ages of 2 and 9, and the children come from 5 different countries.
What do you get in return:
Every year a new photo and a report and you get a history of the sponsored child.
Can you write with the child:
There is the possibility to write with the child, and you can also give small gifts made of paper, no thicker than 1 cm. include with your letter. You will also receive a pre-printed card that you can send twice a year. You can certainly expect letters in return, World Vision will translate the letter for the child and help them write a letter back.
Is visit possible:
Yes, this is possible, you must indicate this at least three months in advance.
Plan Netherlands
General information: Plan Netherlands is part of Plan International. This development organization has set up projects in 49 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Plan International has no religious or commercial objectives.
Costs per month:
21.50, you can pay per month, per quarter, per six months or per year.
About the sponsored children:
You cannot choose a sponsored child, but you can indicate whether you want a boy or a girl, and which part of the world your sponsored child should come from.
Can you write with the child:
There is the option to write with the child, and you can also send an e-card to your sponsor on the Plan Nederland site. You can also send the child a gift of a maximum of 150 grams twice a year.
Is visit possible:
Yes this is possible.
Compassion
General information:
Compassion wants to offer children one by one the chance for a life without poverty. At Compassion, Christ is central, and they therefore pay a lot of attention to the spiritual development of the children.
Costs per month:
29 euros.
About the sponsored children:
You can choose a sponsored child yourself, you will find many on the site, or you can leave the choice to Compassion.
Can you write with the child:
You can write to your child, and you can expect a letter back two or three times a year. You are not allowed to send gifts, but Compassion does have separate funds, so you can transfer money for Christmas and, for example, the birthday of your sponsored child. Compassion will then ensure that the child receives something extra on your behalf.
Is visit possible:
Yes, this is possible, please indicate this two months in advance.
Other organizations
Of course there are more organizations you can go to. Look at the sources at the bottom. You will also find links to Compassion, Plan Netherlands and World Vision there.