All about Child Sponsorship
When you sponsor a child through Network of Caring . . .
. . . Child sponsorship is not about handouts. It is about the power of hope.
World Vision, Network 21’s partner in Network of Caring, exists to call people to a life-changing commitment to serve the poor in the name of Christ. Driven by faith, World Vision is your partner in enabling the world’s children to realize their God-given potential by tackling the root causes of poverty.
Network of Caring affirms the precious and great worth of each child. Through child sponsorship, we are able to address the immediate needs of a boy or girl. However, our experience has shown that the most effective way to tackle poverty and create lasting transformational change is to strengthen the community in which the children live.
With this transformational community development in mind, your gifts are combined with gifts from other Network of Caring sponsors to provide the assistance your child's community needs most: education, clean water, health care, food and agricultural development, and economic development.
In the process, your sponsored child benefits directly.
Ultimately, it is our goal to see these families and communities reach a point where they no longer need outside assistance. Your monthly sponsorship gifts through World Vision and Network of Caring make that possible, bringing about a better life for your child, your child's community, and future generations as well.
If you have further questions on child sponsorship, please click on below . . .
Getting to Know My Child
How do I write my child?
Will I hear from my child?
Packages/Visits/Project Completion
Can I send packages to my child?
Will I be updated on my child's progress?
Can I visit my child?
How long will my sponsorship last?
Fulfilling My Commitment
How do I make my monthly payments?
How do I keep track of my contributions?
Who can answer my questions?
Network of Caring, in cooperation with World Vision, is more than the sum of its
programs. It is the affirmation that each child is precious and of great worth.
How do I write my child?
You may want to get to know your sponsored child more personally by exchanging letters. So here are a few helpful tips about corresponding with your child.
When writing your letter, it's important to consider your child's environment and culture. For example, it's best not to write about the things you own, since your child has very few possessions. Feel free to share about your family, friends, and interests. You can always include a colorful postcard or photo.
Your child will love to hear from you!
Back to the list of Questions
Will I hear from my child?
You will receive a letter of introduction from your sponsored child to begin your new friendship. You will also receive a Christmas card each year, as well as responses to any letters you send your child.
It's common for a reply to take three to four months. Long distances, remote locations and inadequate postal services can make for slow communication. Also, depending on your child's country, translation may be necessary. So please be patient and feel free to write again, even if you've yet to receive a reply.
If you haven't heard anything after four months, please contact us and we'll look into it for you.
If your child is unable to write, he or she will talk to a helper who will write it for them. This might be a teacher, a family member or one of World Vision's staff. In these cases, there will be a special note on your letter to let you know that your child had help in writing your letter.
Back to the list of Questions
Can I send packages to my child?
Unfortunately, no. We are sorry, but high import duties and various restrictions by foreign governments have made it necessary for us to establish a firm policy not to accept packages.
Back to the list of Questions
Will I be updated on my child's progress?
Each year you will receive a progress report and updated photograph of your sponsored child. This report will let you know how your child is doing in school, the state of his or her health, and the latest achievements in his or her community.
Back to the list of Questions
Can I visit my child?
Yes! Visiting your child can be a life-changing experience. A member of our field staff will be glad to act as your guide and interpreter. We only ask that you contact us at least four months prior to your trip so we can make the necessary arrangements.
How long will my sponsorship last?
Your sponsored child's family and community have much to do before their sponsorship goals are met. So you might enjoy years of relationship with your child.
It's an exciting day when a sponsorship community meets its goals, families have control of their future, and a child no longer needs to be sponsored. Such success is certainly cause for a celebration!
World Vision looks forward to the completion of your child's sponsorship. What a privilege it will be to participate in such a victory--to have your sponsored child's family be able to say, "Thanks so much for your love and help...we can take it from here."
But occasionally, circumstances arise that make a child unavailable for sponsorship. Sometimes, a child's family will move away from the area where World Vision is working. Or, your child may finish school and begin to earn an income, the start of a new and independent life.
Each child's situation is unique. And whether your sponsorship lasts two years or ten years, your gift of love is sure to change your sponsored child's life forever.
When your child leaves sponsorship for any reason, we'll introduce you to another child who needs you.
How do I make my monthly payments?
Automatic Giving Plan
Automatic Giving offers you convenience and security. No stamps to lick or checks to write. You child receives your gift on time, every month, without you having to mail it in. Automatic Giving also saves World Vision up to $12 per year in processing and postage costs for each sponsorship donor, so that more funds are available to go to your sponsored child’s community. If you'd like to have your gifts automatically transferred from your debit or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) or checking account, simply click here or call 1-800-491-2999.
Monthly Checks
Your monthly statement will include a reminder for your next gift and a return envelope for you to send your check.
Please do not send cash.
Money Order
Money orders should be made out to World Vision and should include your full name, address, zip code and account number.
How do I keep track of my contributions?
We will send you a statement each month that reflects all the contributions we've received from you over the past month and provides a coupon to send in with your next gift.
The full amount of your sponsorship contributions to World Vision is tax deductible. Be sure to keep your statement; it will serve as a receipt for income tax purposes.
Your monthly statement will include:
- your child's name and I.D. number, your account number, and the amount of your monthly commitment.
- Your tax-deductible receipt for you to keep.
- A return coupon to send with your monthly gift in the envelope provided.
If you have your sponsorship contributions deducted automatically from your checking account or credit card, you will receive a quarterly statement.
Who can answer my questions?
We want to serve you and make certain your sponsorship experience gets off to a great start. If you have any questions, call us at 800.491.2999, or we invite you to visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website, or you can send us your feedback.
Copyright 2004 World Vision Inc., all rights reserved.
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