Will you sponsor me?

Help me with my education so I can do great things.

Sponsor a Child from Rwanda

1 photo of your child each year

1 letter from your child each year

1 handmade drawing from your child each year with a questionnaire about their life

A detailed progress report from the children’s home administrator about your child’s development over the past school year

"We get endearing, heartfelt letters from “our” girls often and their sentiments expressed are extremely touching. In partnership with WC, we feel we really are making a difference in these girls’ lives."

- Kim, sponsor since 1996

FAQs

  • How will my sponsorship help my child?

    The Rwanda Children’s Education Program (RCEP) helps children who live with their parents and have no income to pay for school needs. These children come from impoverished families who cannot afford to pay for their children’s education. RCEP pays for textbooks, notebooks, pens, backpacks, two school uniforms with shoes, socks and sweater, toiletries, school fees and one meal a day.

    Equally important to the physical help you provide to the children, is the psychological and emotional support that your sponsored child feels. When they know that someone cares about them and wants them to succeed, they prosper. Sponsored children often do better in school and are more motivated to plan and pursue long-term goals than their unsponsored peers; never underestimate the emotional impact your sponsorship will have on your child.

  • Can I select the child I will sponsor?

    Call us old-fashioned, but we prefer to work with each sponsor individually to match you with a child. However, please do let us know if you have preferences about the child you wish to sponsor (for example, a child who is the same gender and close in age to your own, or a child from a country with which you have a connection). We are happy to do what we can to match you with the “right” child for you.

    If you do not indicate any preferences about the child you will sponsor, we will match you with the child who is in the greatest need of support. We know our kids, and we know who needs you the most. Once we match you with a child, we will send you a welcome packet with information about your child, their photo and what to expect as a sponsor.

    We also have a Child Safety Policy, which we feel pretty strongly about.

  • How long can I sponsor my child?

    Most sponsors support their children until they graduate or leave the program. Many of our sponsored children go on for vocational training and even obtain a college degree with their sponsor’s help. Sponsors really feel that they have made a difference when they see their child become a self-assured, independent adult.

  • How can I correspond with my child?

    You are under no obligation to correspond with your child, but many sponsors find an unexpected happiness when they build a relationship with their child through the exchange of letters and photos.

    Children in our homes are very curious about their sponsors and what their lives are like. Most of the children are timid about asking their sponsors personal questions, but you can be sure they will be extremely curious about you. They love to receive letters in which you tell them about your family and your life. They enjoy learning what you like to do, what your job is, what your favorite games and recreational activities are, the names of your family members, and even pets. If a sponsor sends a personal or family photo that photo is treasured by the child and carefully kept with their belongings.

    World’s Children has an email where sponsors can email their children and attach photos and letters.

  • What if the child I sponsor leaves the program?

    At some point every child leaves the program and is no longer able to be sponsored through World’s Children. Most of the time, this is a happy occasion (such as graduating from school and getting a job. We always seek a successful outcome for every sponsored child.

    If your sponsored child leaves for any reason, we will contact you and explain why your child has left. We will also ask if you would like to transfer your sponsorship to another child in need.

  • Can I terminate my sponsorship at any time?

    Yes. You do not sign a contract with us and you are under no obligation to continue your support. Most sponsors like to see their child complete their education and then decide whether to sponsor another child, but the choice is always yours. You can cancel sponsorship at any time. To cancel, please call or email to let us know that you want to end the relationship you have with your child, and we will try to find them a new sponsor.

  • Where are the programs you support located?

    World’s Children works in the following countries around the globe. Our sponsorship programs vary by need.

    Sponsor a child in Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia and India.
    Sponsor a child’s education in Rwanda, Tanzania and India.
    Sponsor a family-style children’s home in Mexico.
    Sponsor a college student in India.
    Help displaced children in Ukraine.

    You can state any preferences you have in the note section when you check-out. We will also email you about your preferences and help you select the right child for you.

  • How is my sponsorship donation used?

    World’s Children is committed to honoring your stated preferences for sponsorship donations. In some circumstances, such as an unforeseen change in a partner organization, your contribution will be used for the greatest need of vulnerable children living in poverty. In the case of sponsorship, you will be notified and asked to transfer any remaining funds to another child in need.

Still Need Help?

If you have more questions, or if you’d like to delve further into the sponsorship program, we’d love to talk with you!

Loretta Worthington, Board Member

Loretta Worthington

Loretta Worthington

Board Member

Loretta met David Purviance on a chance trip in 2006, while seeking to be of service to the vulnerable children in India.  Since then, Loretta has been a longtime supporter of World’s Children as a donor, sponsor, and previous Board member.  She had the wonderful opportunity to return to India twice to visit several World’s Children orphanages, and even identified the Happy Home orphanage and petitioned to bring it into the WC family. Loretta raised funds to build a well at Happy Home, where it now has clean water for all the children and staff.

Loretta currently works with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services as the Program Manager for the six Medical Hubs – the child abuse evaluation clinics for the County. She also serves as the Program Manager for the County’s Gender Health Program, serving patients seeking gender-affirming care in a safe environment.  Before her work with Los Angeles County, Loretta spent many years serving non-profit organizations in CA and in MN, her last as the Executive Director of a statewide non-profit in MN. She has a long history of volunteer work including Board Member and Board Chair service, grant writing and fundraising experience, program development, and creative leadership, all serving our most vulnerable and disenfranchised populations.

Loretta holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, a Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.  She lives in Los Angeles County with her partner, Myck, and their rescue kitties, Scooter and Thunder.

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