Baptist World Aid invites all Australians passionate about ending poverty to join them on the journey of changing the face of Sponsorship.
For 50 years, Baptist World Aid has been elevating the rights of children while connecting them with generous supporters in Australia.
Our programs have been independently assessed as being ‘one of Australia’s best examples of catalysing genuine empowerment, agency and advocacy capacity–especially of children, women and marginalised people’ (K4Dev, International Development Consultants, 2022).
We’re grateful for the impact our Child and Youth programs have had and continue to have and we’re committed to constant improvement and listening to the experiences of children and young people.
After consultation with children and youth in our programs, as well as their parents and local Partner Staff, Baptist World Aid has changed the way we promote Child Sponsorship to better protect the safety, privacy and dignity of children and young people.
We will no longer display the faces of children awaiting Sponsorship online (or at in-person events).
Faces will be covered by a friendly, yellow ‘sticker’, protecting the identity of the child until after a person signs up to become a Sponsor. When you become a Child Sponsor, you’ll then receive photos of the child or youth you’re supporting.
Partner staff in Cambodia discussing the change with young people in our programs.
What’s In A Sticker?
A small change
Faces will be covered by a ‘sticker’, protecting the identity of the child online and at events.
For their protection
We’re committed to the dignity and safety of children, ensuring they’re at the centre of the story.
Your connection begins
After becoming a Sponsor, you’llthen receive photos of the child you’re supporting, and their community!
What The Children And Communities Are Saying
Safety
‘It will help protect children from abuse.’
Privacy
‘I like that there’s no difference between the children, no matter how they look.’
Dignity
‘Even children with visible disabilities will be treated equally.’
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Baptist World Aid changed the way that Sponsorship works?
No. We’re not changing the way that our Sponsorship programs work. However, we are changing the way that we promote Child Sponsorship to supporters in Australia.
The change will mean that Baptist World Aid will no longer display the faces of children awaiting Sponsorship online or on printed materials available at public events. Faces will be covered by a ‘sticker’, protecting the identity of the child until after a person signs up to become a Sponsor.
How does the revised Sponsorship sign-up process work?
A potential Sponsor can view the country, gender and age of the child, which can inform their choice, but the child’s appearance will no longer play a role. Sponsors can also ask us to link them with a child without parameters.
Faces will be covered by a ‘sticker’, protecting the identity of the child until after a person signs up to become a Sponsor. Once the Sponsor signs up, they will receive photos of the child they’re supporting.
Is Baptist World Aid the first charity to hide children's images online?
We are not the first organisation to do this. However we do believe it’s time as a sector to review our collective promotion and fundraising practice when it comes to Child Sponsorship. We’re not saying that displaying child images online is wrong, we continue to advocate for anything that promotes greater safety, dignity and self-determination for children.
We’re not the first organisation in our sector trying to address these complexities.
I’m an existing Child Sponsor. How does this affect my current Sponsorship experience?
It doesn’t. It will only affect you if you decide to pick up a new Child Sponsorship! Existing Sponsors will continue to receive updates, letters and photos from the children or youth they support.
Partner staff in Cambodia discussing the change with young people in our programs.
