Child Sponsorship FAQ
Who is ChildFund?
How does child sponsorship work?
How much does child sponsorship cost?
How long will child sponsorship last?
What happens after child sponsorship?
What happens if I cannot continue as a child sponsor?
Can I decide on the gender, nationality and age of my child?
Can I send my child a letter?
Can I give gifts to the child I sponsor?
Does ChildFund help all children?
Who is ChildFund?
ChildFund is an aid and humanitarian organisation that for 70 years has been dedicated to working with children, families and communities to realise their true potential and create a better life for themselves. ChildFund operates in 56 countries worldwide and helps over 15 million children and families in need regardless of their religion, gender, creed or national origin.
How does child sponsorship work?
As a child sponsor, you give a monthly donation. This money does not go directly to the child or even their family. It funds the projects that are most needed in the community they live. So you help not only the child you are sponsoring but also their family and other poor people in the area. 100 per cent of additional gift money goes straight to the child.
How much does child sponsorship cost?
Sponsorship costs $44 a month. The cost of less than half a cup of coffee a day.
$40 goes to Child Sponsorship and $4 goes to ChildFund's Future Fund. Of the $40 Child Sponsorship, ChildFund strives to send at least 80% out of every Child Sponsorship dollar you donate goes directly overseas to help your child. No more than 20% is retained in New Zealand to help us run our small New Zealand based office. The $4 ChildFund Future Fund is retained here in New Zealand to ensure the consistent delivery of our quality programmes, developing additional programmes in new countries, helping to find more child sponsors for children in need and educating New Zealanders about eradicating poverty.
How long will child sponsorship last?
Sometimes child sponsorship ends when we complete our work within a community. On other occasions, child sponsorship comes to an end when children finish at a project or the family move to find better work opportunities. This means that the duration of your support can vary a great deal, although three years is usually the minimum, and seven to eight years the norm.
What happens after child sponsorship?
When child sponsorship ends, we will contact you to let you know how you can continue to help the community where the child you are sponsoring lives, as well as other poor people in need.
What happens if I cannot continue as a child sponsor?
If your circumstances change and you can no longer sponsor a child, we will understand. We will, however, need to find another sponsor for the child as soon as we can. We are always especially grateful if you have a friend or work colleague who could take over your child sponsorship.
Can I decide on the gender, nationality and age of my child?
Unless you make a specific request, we will send you the details of the child and community in greatest need of your support. So if you would prefer to sponsor a child of a specific gender, age or nationality, please call 0800 808 822 and we'll do our best to help.
Can I send my child a letter?
The power of the written word is of particular strength in the relationship that develops between the sponsored child and their ChildFund sponsor. These children receive so little in life that a letter is truly cherished and can help form a lasting relationship. Short and simple letters are best, as they are easier for the project team to translate and for the child to appreciate. Tell your child about family, pets, hobbies, favourite sports, work, our country and our culture. Also include photos and pictures if you like. Then ask the child some questions, so you can learn about their family and culture. Please don't be offended if it takes 2-3 months for a reply to come, the letters often have a lengthy journey to travel before it gets read and then answered. But it is worth the wait, because it means so much to your child.
Can I give gifts to the child I sponsor?
If you'd like, you can have your own gift delivered. However due to customs duties and the risk of gifts getting lost or stolen, this is done via a monetary payment to ChildFund. We then arrange for your preferred gift, such as books, clothing or toys, to be purchased through the local office and given to the child. Just give our Sponsor Support Team a call on 0800 808 822 and we can arrange everything.
Does ChildFund help all children?
ChildFund works where the need is greatest irrespective of religion, gender or creed.
