I am not yet a sponsor but have
questions about Child Sponsorship

A: Yes. You can search for a child online by age, gender, birthday or location. Sponsoring online is safe and an easy way to begin a life-changing relationship with a child in need. You will be asked to set up an online account, which allows you to view your account information later on. Click here to begin searching for a child.

A: Within two weeks, you should receive a Welcome Kit that includes photos of your sponsored child, information about his/her family and community, and details on how your sponsored child will benefit from sponsorship. Plus:

• Regular statements from World Vision with helpful points on how to get the most out of your child sponsorship
• Within the first few months, you should receive a letter directly from your sponsored child introducing him or herself and her family
• Annual "report cards" on your sponsored child's well-being and education

A: World Vision is privileged to participate in God's work in the world, and wherever we work we are transparent about being a Christian organization. As a guest in each community, World Vision abides by the laws of our host country, which may prohibit Christian teaching. We never provide assistance on the condition that a family or child hears about our faith or participates in religious activities.

When World Vision is invited to begin work in a new community where the dominant religion is not Christianity, we let community members know our aim is to be trustworthy friends and partners in breaking the shackles of poverty, and that our vision for their children and communities is fullness of life — as God in His love intends for them to enjoy. Over time, they come to understand through the example of our staff what we mean by "fullness of life," and we begin to see the emergence of trust, hope, and mutual caring. When our staff is asked what they believe and why, we are careful to articulate our faith in language and idiom that make sense to the inquirers. We often refer those who demonstrate a deep spiritual hunger to local pastors and lay leaders who are trained and gifted in answering their questions and addressing individual needs.

A: Click for the answer.

Click to select your sponsored child online. A limited selection of countries (those participating in online sponsorship) are available at this second link. If you do not see the country you desire to sponsor from, try the first link and find the sponsorship option associated with the country of your choice.

A: Most sponsored children live with family members in a community or village. Children of poor families in the project community are selected to be representatives for the child sponsorship program.

Before introducing a child sponsorship program, World Vision workers fully explain the concept of child sponsorship to community leaders. These leaders are then asked to provide a list of needy children, which is verified by our staff.

Families are asked if they want to be part of the sponsorship program. They are informed their children will not benefit exclusively, but that benefits will be shared by all the children and families in the community.

World Vision also supports some schools for the blind or deaf. In these cases, most of the residents and students would be part of the sponsorship program.

A: In the United States, World Vision assists the needy through projects in such urban areas as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle/Tacoma, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Washington, D.C. and Detroit. In addition, we also have ministry in rural areas such as Albany, Georgia.

However, we do not offer a child sponsorship program in the United States. Click for more information about World Vision's domestic work in the U.S.

World Vision has a variety of programs for helping people throughout the world. Our sponsorship program reaches out to children in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. Our Childcare Partnership program provides relief to those children in developing nations who are affected by natural disasters or complex humanitarian emergencies.

A: The sponsorship money you send is added to that of other people who sponsor children in the same community as your child. Your support enables World Vision to provide benefits such as education, health care, and supplemental food for the children. The costs of keeping records, translating and forwarding letters, providing case workers, and meeting emergencies are also covered. Where appropriate, World Vision works with local churches to give your child the chance to learn about Jesus and his love.

In most areas, sponsorship funds are used to make improvements that will help the entire community. Often World Vision helps dig wells for clean water and provides agricultural assistance to improve health and food security. Adults and teens may receive vocational training and classes in nutrition and hygiene. We offer help with these things and more — according to the needs of the community — because, in the long run, we have not really helped a child unless we have also strengthened the family and community to provide for his or her continuing care.

A: Yes. World Vision assigns only one sponsor per sponsored child.

A: Before a sponsorship project begins, World Vision workers meet with local community leaders to assess the needs in the community and determine appropriate and effective responses.

By joining in partnership with people in local communities, World Vision empowers families to help bring about change themselves. A majority of World Vision field staff are local individuals who are best able to evaluate the needs of their community.

A plan of operation with a proposed timeline, budget, specific goals and objectives is created and includes the number of children and families to be assisted through the various components of the project. Evaluation of the proposed project is completed by the regional office and then submitted for funding.

A: World Vision's childcare ministry provides assistance to needy children in their own countries and does not include arrangements for adoptions.

We can, however, refer you to a couple of agencies which perform this service. They will be able to explain the qualifications, procedures, waiting periods, costs, and other aspects of the adoption process. You may wish to contact:

Holt International Children's Services
P.O. Box 2880
Eugene, OR 97402
541-687-2202
http://www.holtintl.org

The "Report on Foreign Adoption" contains comprehensive information on foreign adoptions. To obtain a copy, contact:

International Concerns for Children
911 Cypress Drive
Boulder, CO 80303-2821
303-494-8333
http://www.iccadopt.org

A: We understand your desire to send packages to your sponsored child. However, World Vision has a policy not to accept packages for the following reasons:

• Complexity of foreign postal regulations
• High duty charges in many countries
• Slow delivery
• Possibility of loss, theft or damage
• Difficulty getting packages to children in isolated locations (many of our overseas staff walk or ride bicycles to pick up the mail)
• Possibility of tension created in the community by one family receiving numerous or expensive gifts

If you would like to remember your child in a special way, you may enclose small items in letters to your child or in an envelope no larger than 6x9 inches. Some items which children will enjoy for many months are: ribbons, bookmarks, picture postcards and other flat, inexpensive items.

A: Meeting your sponsored child face-to-face can be an exciting and moving event for both of you. And if you ever wish to do so, we're here to help you.

Of course, visiting many of the countries where sponsored children live is not always a simple matter. So be sure to contact our U.S. office at least four months in advance by calling 1-888-511-6592 (preferred) or by submitting a feedback message. Ask for a "Request to Visit" form.

World Vision staff in the field and at home will do their best to arrange your visit and help prepare you for your trip. With our help it will be a very rewarding experience.

A: World Vision requests that monetary gifts not be sent to your sponsored child. There are several reasons for this.

Our field offices are not equipped to handle funds sent to them directly from sponsors, or to issue receipts. In some countries it is even against the law to have foreign currency in your possession.

It is often difficult for other families in the community to understand why a child or the family received money from the sponsor. This can cause jealousy and divisiveness in the community. Also, some postal systems are unreliable and there is no guarantee that the monetary gifts will reach the field offices.

Thank you for understanding.

A: You may send cards and letters to your sponsored child at the field office address located on your child's picture folder. This enables our staff there to keep needed correspondence records and also protects your address from falling into the hands of professional beggars.

The letters you send will usually reach your child within a few weeks. Our overseas staff will translate your letters into your child's language and give both your letter and the translation to the child to keep.

Letters sent to you from your child take a little longer. Many children receive assistance in our projects, and dozens of projects report to each field office. The handful of project workers and staff members will supervise (along with all of their other responsibilities) the children writing to their sponsors.

Children who are very young or slow in developing writing skills will need more help writing letters. The helper may be a staff member, an older child or perhaps a family member. When a helper actually writes a letter, we encourage our overseas office to note this on the letter so that you will know.

The children's letters are then sent to be translated in the field office which may be located a long distance away. The original and the translation will both be sent to you.

We hope this will help you understand why communication between you and your sponsored child may require some patience. If you do not receive a reply from your child within approximately four months after you have written, please let us know. We will then check with the field office for you.

A: We appreciate your interest in having your sponsored child visit the United States.

There are several reasons why World Vision does not permit visits of sponsored children to the United States:

• The safety and well-being of the child
• The uneasiness that language barriers can create
• The culture shock experienced by the child
• The child's readjustment to his or her own lifestyle can be difficult

If you would like to spend time with your sponsored child, perhaps you would like to consider planning a visit to the child's country. Please contact us by calling 1-888-511-6592 (preferred) or by submitting a feedback message. A representative will be glad to assist you.

A: Due to the expenses involved in processing these special money gifts, and to keep cost to a minimum, it is necessary that these gifts be $75 or more. Gifts of less than $75 are designated to the general "Sponsorship Ministry" fund.

Special money gifts should be sent to the Washington state office.

Field staff will work with the family to determine their special needs. These needs often include housing improvements, farm animals, clothing, and school supplies. You should receive an acknowledgement from the field office within four months telling you how the money gift was used.

If you want to do something more personal for Christmas, or on other special occasions, you can send a card with something small and flat tucked inside of it - such as a picture, hair ribbons, stickers, or picture postcards - directly to the national office address on the picture folder. In addition to the gifts of life and hope which you are already providing, your sponsored child will be delighted to receive these small gifts from you.

A: Appropriate Countries
Sponsored boys and girls are eager to receive your letters and want to know about the person who is helping them — you! In countries where it is appropriate, legal, and customary, you may use any scripture relevant to a particular need or motivation for helping. Feel free to mention God’s love and blessings, discuss personal interests, and tell the child you pray for him or her. This will bring encouragement and hope to your sponsored child. Your prayer support is invaluable. Your letters and prayers help strengthen the tangible hope World Vision staff offers in the community.

Sensitive Countries*
Building understanding between cultures is an exciting, but delicate, process. If your sponsored child lives in a community with few followers of Christ, please refrain from using evangelistic language, or making comparisons between religions in the letters or packages you send. This communication can be confusing and may alienate your sponsored child, alarm their parents, and create relationship challenges for World Vision staff. Like any family, parents we work with are protective of their children and cautious of potential influence from people outside the family and culture. If your child lives in a community with few followers of Christ, any reference to Jesus or the Bible through printed or recorded materials, or in your own words, should not be included in your correspondence to these communities. However, your ongoing prayers for their physical and spiritual well- being can bring added blessings to their lives.

*To find out if your child is in a sensitive country, refer to the information provided with your child's picture folder or contact us.

A: You can provide your monthly gift to us via:

• Phone - use your credit card via telephone
• Mail - pay by mail using our pre-addressed return envelope
• Online Billing – select to receive paperless statements and pay online

A: Yes. You will need to log into My Account (if you do not already have an online account you will need to create one). From there, you can select the ‘Go Paperless’ option on the left hand side and choose your preference:

• Electronic Statements Only
• Electronic and Paper Statements

You will then receive a monthly email reminder when your statement is ready.

A: Yes, you can make child sponsorship contributions automatically by either credit card or electronic monthly debit from your checking account. To learn more about the benefits of giving by credit card or EFT, click here. If you are not yet a child sponsor, click here to choose your sponsored child. You will be offered automatic giving options during your sign-up process.

A: Your pledge gift may be prepaid quarterly or annually; whichever is most convenient for you. When you send gifts for more than one month, it saves you time and postage.

Other options exist for paying for your sponsorship. Automated credit card or electronic monthly debit from your checking account saves World Vision money, and these resources go to assisting even more children. Click to sign up today.

A: Our online sponsorship technology does not yet support gift sponsorships made on behalf of another person. To do this, please call us toll-free at 1-888-511-6592.

A: There is no set age limit for children in our sponsorship program. A child may be in his or her late teens but still need to continue attending school or learn a trade. Also, in many countries children may begin going to school when they are a little older than we are accustomed to in the United States. As long as a sponsored child is in a project associated with World Vision, he or she continues receiving assistance.

We will notify you when your sponsored child is able to work and earn a living, or when the family no longer needs help. At that time, we will offer the opportunity for you to sponsor another child.

A: The goal of World Vision child sponsorship is to serve as a passage -- bringing a child to that happy day when sponsorship is no longer necessary. This is the day when this child and his family are ready to move on -- with health, education, training, and hope for the future.

That is the time when a sponsor is offered the opportunity to sponsor another little boy or girl and provide the assistance that child and his or her community needs to become more self-reliant.

The length of sponsorship will be different for each child. That's because sponsorship is affected by many factors: the child's age when sponsorship begins, the family and community's circumstances, progress in the sponsorship project, and more.

One of the most satisfying experiences of sponsorship is watching your child and his or her family become healthy and self-reliant, leaving sponsorship behind. That's the moment when you can take the hand of another child who needs your help.

Many sponsors have helped change the life of one child after another. As many sponsors tell us, "Once you sponsor, you'll never want to stop!"

A: Progress reports of the children are sent to sponsors once each year.

Also, sponsors should receive an updated photograph once during the year. It may come with the child's annual progress report, or with a letter from the child.

If it has been more than a year since you last received a progress report, please call 1-888-511-6592 or contact us. A representative will be glad to assist you.

A: Thank you for partnering with World Vision to make a difference in a child's life. If you wish to cancel your sponsorship you may call our toll-free number at 1-888-511-6548 and a representative will be glad to assist you.