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What is the background of the children who need sponsoring?
Children in ICT's child sponsorship scheme are already part of ICT
projects and have already been identified by project staff to be
'in need of assistance.' Many of the children in the scheme are
former street children or have been displaced by conflict or natural
disasters such as the Asian tsunami or who have been abused or neglected
by their families.
Why should I sponsor a child?
Child sponsorship is a long-term commitment to support the day-to-day
costs of raising a child in a developing country. By covering these
costs you are freeing up money for new initiatives such as health
centres, outreach work or building expansion which enables our partners
to assist even more children.
Why sponsor a child with ICT?
ICT works with local grassroots NGOs and communities that seek its partnership in aims of helping them become independent and self-sustainable. Rather than being a permanent partner, ICT’s goal is to be temporary until these NGOs can sustain themselves and find solutions to their issues on their own – which prevents the possibility of dependency. By sponsoring a child with ICT, you are helping him/her complete their education, as well as helping his/her community as this child can in return give back and help out. You are also allowing local NGOs to intake and help more children while freeing up other funds to expand on projects allowing them to become more independent.
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Can I choose who I sponsor?
You can select if you would like to sponsor a boy or a girl.
You can also select if you would like to sponsor a child in Kenya,
Cambodia, India or Sri Lanka. If you have no preference then ICT will select
a child on your behalf where it is felt the need is greatest.
How does the child benefit?
£20 a month from you pays for care, shelter, food, clothing,
school uniforms, books and basic health car for a child for a month.
Children also benefit emotionally from knowing that there are people
in another country that care enough to support them.
How much of my contribution will reach my child?
90p in every £1 of your contribution will go towards ensuring your child has a safe place to stay, a good education and remains healthy! Only 10p in ever £1 stays in the UK for administrative purposes.
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Do other children in the community also benefit?
Yes, although you are linked to one particular child, some of the
money that you donate will be spent on work that will benefit all
the children in that project. ICT believes it is very important
that all the children are helped equally and one is not favoured
over another. The child you sponsor is therefore your link to the
children as a group, but does not receive any special privileges
over children who are not sponsored.
What will I receive?
You will receive a photograph and description of the child shortly
after you sign up to be a sponsor. You will then receive at least
one update per year about the child's progress as well as a letter
or card from the child. In addition, you will receive ICT's newsletter
twice a year which will update you on the whole of ICT's work.
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Can I write and send gifts to my sponsored child?
Yes, you may write to the child that you sponsor. Keeping in touch with your sponsored child is a great way to not only see the difference your contribution makes but also to bring happiness and confidence to the child by knowing that someone far away cares about their future and well being. A small letter can go a long way.
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But it is important not to overwhelm the sponsored child either. As such, it is advisable that no more than 1 to 2 letters be sent a year. Many children might not be able to read, or might not know any English, in which case their caregiver/guardian/social worker will read it for them. It is also important not to write very long letters; one page will do. They love hearing about your daily life, your hobbies, where you live, your family, the weather etc. And it makes them even happier to receive pictures of you and your loved ones. But remember, these are children that live in extreme poverty and so it is best not to write about or send pictures of very expensive, materialistic things. Also, the children love receiving postcards! They are not only pretty pictures to them, but can be shared, and can be educational for them and their friends.
You may also send your sponsored child a gift. However we highly recommend it be small and not expensive. It is unfair for one child to receive an expensive gift when so many other children do not receive anything. Even better would be to send something the children could share.
Here are a few suggestions:
- A small puzzle
- Balloons
- Stickers
- Bubbles
- Colouring pencils and books
For the protection of the children, all letters and gifts must be sent via the project staff to ensure the content is appropriate before handing them over to the child.
Can I visit my sponsored child?
Yes, you may visit the child you sponsor but this must be arranged
through the project staff to ensure that your planned visit is convenient
for them. In the interest of child protection, ICT will conduct
a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure on all sponsors who wish to
visit their sponsored children. You will be accompanied by project
staff at all times during your visit and you will not be permitted
to take the child away from the project area.
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What happens when the child I sponsor leaves the programme?
When a child turns 18 years old or leaves the ICT project to seek
work or is reunited with his/her family, then he/she may no longer
be eligible for sponsorship. When this happens, ICT will inform the
sponsor and offer you an alternative child to support. ICT works
with many vulnerable children, all of whom need support.
What happens if I have to stop sponsoring a child?
If, for unforeseen circumstances you become unable to continue to
sponsor a child, ICT will do its best to find a replacement sponsor.
It is very helpful, however, if you are able to warn ICT that you
need to stop your sponsorship in advance, to give us time to allocate
that child to a new sponsor.
Anything else I should know about?
ICT has learned from its partner organisations that most of the children in the projects do not have a very strong command of the English language and that written letters are sometimes not as appreciated as we all might hope; and they can cause jealousy. However, children in developing countries love receiving postcards. Postcards can be shared in the classrooms and centres, so all children can benefit from learning about people, places and things in the developed world. |
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