Your sponsorship supports projects run by our Christian partners. These projects help children learn to break down the barriers of poverty – not just for your sponsored child, but for their friends and family too! Children and families together learn skills to increase their income, build confidence and take control of their future.

The projects encourage children to be part of the solution to poverty. When children choose to become involved with the project, they learn to drive change in their own community. Their special connection with a sponsor in Australia is a chance for them to share their story as they learn and grow.

Some of the activities include:

• Child groups where children spend time with their friends and learn to run their own community development projects.
• Training for parents, like kitchen gardening and learning about nutrition, which helps them provide a healthy diet for their children.
• Working with schools to improve the education that is available to all children.
• Advocating for change with local government and leadership groups.

All these initiatives, and more, provide children with opportunities for a future free from poverty.

We know that our program has worked when we can hand a project over to the community leaders. As communities take over the management of their own projects, our child sponsorship program moves into new locations. Each project lasts around 10 years.

When you sponsor a child, they may be at the beginning, middle or end of their project’s cycle. Your child sponsorship reports will tell you the current phase of the project.

When the project has been successful, it looks like this:

All the children in the community go to school every day. They have enough healthy food to eat, and so do their families. They speak out on issues that concern them and take responsibility for their own future. Their families have enough income to afford school fees, food and health care as well as extra money to cope in emergencies. And the community leadership protects children, advocates for further change, and takes responsibility for their own development.

That’s one of the great things about our child sponsorship program – it’s designed not just for the child you sponsor, but for all the children in the community to benefit. So, when you choose to sponsor a child, you’re actually choosing to support a whole community of children. And we can help you choose if you can’t decide.

We don’t! The communities themselves select children as representatives of the program. These children become leaders in their community and play an important role in communicating the changes that are happening. Each child is linked with only one child sponsor.

A child doesn’t have to be sponsored to be part of the program. And sponsored children do not receive special treatment. Rather, our project activities are designed to address the root causes of child poverty, working with the entire community. This approach means that the community becomes a better place for all children, not just those who are sponsored.

The program is offered with a “no strings attached” policy. This means that communities can be part of the program regardless of race, politics or religion and there are no conditions placed on the community to conform to any culture, politics or religion.

As a sponsor you will receive photos, letters and information about the child you sponsor. You will also receive information about your sponsored child’s community and the project you are supporting.

In many countries where we operate, Christians are a minority and children are often from non-Christian families or other faiths. Our Christians partners show Jesus’ love in practical ways, building relationships and trust within the community and reflecting the good works of Christ. We support great development work and this strengthens the reputation of local churches as they share the good news of Jesus.

Communities can be part of the program regardless of race, politics or religion, and there are no conditions placed on the community to conform to any culture, politics or religion to participate in the program activities.

We encourage you to make a long-term commitment to child sponsorship just as we have made a long-term commitment to the communities. However, we are aware that circumstances may change and that you may be unable to continue with your commitment. If you can no longer continue your sponsorship, please advise us and we will find the child a new sponsor as quickly as possible. Rest assured that, if you are unable to continue, the child’s involvement with the program will not be affected.

We don’t facilitate visits to children in the program. In the interest of child safety, it is our policy not to disclose the location the children in the program. Greater interaction between you and the child you sponsor is, instead, encouraged through letter writing and the inclusion of personal photographs. Occasionally, we may facilitate trips to our other overseas projects where you can see the nature of our work. If you are interested in an opportunity like this, please contact our office for more details.

Of course! Additional donations are always welcome!

There are a few ways that you can give extra support to children:

Regular giving: Sponsorship & MORE
Too many children are denied their childhood. So, as well as investing in the child you sponsor, you’ll invest in projects that address specific child protection issues like trafficking, child labour and child marriage. You’ll do even more to ensure children can dream and grow, safe from the impact of poverty. This vital work is funded through our Vulnerable Children Fund.

Regular giving: Vulnerable Children Fund
Supporting projects that address specific child protection issues like trafficking, child labour and child marriage.

One off gifts to the Vulnerable Children Fund
Supporting projects that address specific child protection issues like trafficking, child labour and child marriage.

Explore more ways to give!

We publish reports every year to show the total amount Baptist World Aid spends on projects overseas. See our Annual Reports for the complete picture.

When you register on this website you can easily manage your account, including:

• updating your address details
• viewing your sponsorship and past donations
• writing to your sponsored child
• managing your email preferences

Please do not attempt to contact your current or previously sponsored child through Facebook, email, or any other media. If your sponsored child contacts you, please do not respond to their message or friend request and notify Baptist World Aid immediately. This requirement is in the best interest and safety of both yourself and your sponsored child.