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This airport meeting sums up the power of sponsorship

Edward’s story is just one illustration of the deep impact you can have by sponsoring a child. Growing up in poverty in Uganda, Edward’s life changed when he was sponsored by the Anscahu family. Their sponsorship meant he had access to educational support, a church community, food and regular medical checkups. Three decades later, he is a doctor and while attending a medical conference in Australia recently, he arranged to meet the Anscahu’s and say thank you. You can watch their meeting in this video.

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Sponsor a child in Uganda


What makes our sponsorship programme special?

Tearfund NZ partners with Compassion International to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Over 9000 New Zealanders choose to sponsor a child through us for 3 main reasons: 

Jesus is at the centre of everything we do and every child in our program hears the gospel. They receive a Bible and get connected with pastors and volunteers that encourage them in their faith. Through sponsorship, we are also able show Jesus’ love through action, delivering care in the form of nutrition, medical care and education. 

Compassion’s sponsorship programmes always have been, and always will be, carried out with the local church in the community where the children live. More than 8,000 local churches are now on the frontlines of this work; present long before Compassion arrived and will be there long after our part is done.

When you choose a child to sponsor, your giving supports that child directly! You can build a life-changing friendship with them and champion their development. 


Sponsorship means...

Former sponsored children share what sponsorship means to them...
 

“When I was seven, I was shining shoes in the streets. When I was 14, I was fixing and assembling computers. And when I was 23, I was already an IT Manager for a group of companies in the east of Dominican Republic. Because someone decided to invest in my life. Because someone decided to sacrifice so I could have opportunities.”

Tony Beltran, National Director of Compassion Dominican Republic

“One day I shared my dream with my sponsor in a letter. I told her I wanted to become a doctor when I grew up. Her reply was simple: ‘Yanelly, I love you and I believe in you.’ Sometimes you can’t believe in a dream until someone else believes it with you. Today, I’m a doctor, a wife, and a mother to a precious daughter of God. My dreams came true.”

Yanelly Suero, Doctor from Dominican Republic

“Before sponsorship, I experienced hunger, as my family’s small piece of land was our only source for food. But sponsorship changed my life. I received a scholarship to go to university and finished my MA in Plant Science. Now, I’m studying for my PhD in the United States so I can focus on food security and how we can create policies to help more farmers like my mum have enough to eat.”

Collins Bugingo, PhD student from Uganda

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10
Sponsor a Child


Meet Child Sponsors - Kevin and Joy!

They sponsor three children in Uganda and recently had the opportunity to meet them! Hear more about their incredible experience and become a champion for change today.
 

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How sponsorship works

1. Compassion’s church partners reach the children in the greatest need

Compassion’s church partners know their communities inside-out identify the children most in need of sponsorship support.

2. We start searching for a sponsor, like you

Once registered in the programme, we look for a sponsor to support each child. 

3. One sponsor starts to empower one child

You sponsor a child directly! Your donations of $13 a week (or $56 a month) will immediately begin to equip the child you support in every area of their lives and improve their well-being. You’ll be helping provide them with educational support, regular medical check-ups and nutrition!  

4. Letters provide vital encouragement

You will be sent a physical photo of your child and will also be able to encourage them by sending them letters. Sponsorship graduates often comment on how meaningful the letters from their sponsors were to them as they grew. We encourage you to regularly pray for your child as well!  

5. The cycle of poverty is broken

Alongside a local church, you help bring lasting change into the life of your child and their family.  

And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me

Matthew 18:5

Sponsor a Child


 

Sponsored children are up to:

18%
18% more likely to have salaried employment as adults
80%
80% more likely to complete a university degree
40%
40% more likely to finish their secondary education

What sponsors say

Hear from New Zealanders about the impact of sponsoring a child.

Child sponsorship is about the local church standing in the gap, walking faithfully alongside a child with love and hope. I’ve seen how sponsorship transforms children, families and communities – and how it deepens the faith of sponsors too Louise
It’s deeply rewarding knowing our sponsorship enables a child to grow physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Kathleen
I love the thought that in the Philippines, there is a young man who is part of my Whānau! His letters bring me such joy, and I am so privileged to be part of his life journey. Meryl

Child Sponsorship FAQs

How are children selected for the programme?

Our local church partners connect with the families and children in their community and are best placed to identify who is most in need. A clear process is followed to determine  

  • The impact of poverty, and the family’s financial situation 

  • Current access to school and health care 

  • Walking distance to the church programme 

  • Likelihood of staying in the community long-term 

We prioritise sponsorship opportunities for equal numbers of girls and boys who facethe greatest challenges such as; illness, hunger, being orphaned, or living on a single parent’s income. 

You can ready more here.

How long can a child stay in the programme?

Each child’s journey is different. Sponsorship usually begins when a child is between ages 1 and 10 and continues into early adulthood - generally until age 18 to 22.  

Some children may go on to high school or university, others into vocational training or work. Our goal is to support each young person into a thriving, independent future. 

Do the children have to be Christian?

No, children of all faiths (or none) are welcome and cared for in the programme. 

Families know the Child Development Programme is run by local churches and has a Christian foundation. Caregivers give permission for their children to hear the Christian gospel, knowing that ongoing participation in the programme doesn't depend on making a commitment to Christ. They are free to leave at any time, and all services are provided with no ‘strings attached’.   

We serve each child based on their needs, not religion, politics, or ethnicity. Tearfund believes God’s love is for everyone, and that every child deserves to be known, loved and protected.  

What about a sponsored child’s siblings?

We usually sponsor just one child per family so we can reach more vulnerable families in the community. 

Sponsorship supports the whole household to lift themselves out of poverty, as limited resources are spread out less thinly within the family. Often, siblings join in activities like holiday programmes or Christmas events at the development centre. 

You can help siblings by including them in your letters and prayers or give a special family gift to bless everyone at Christmas. 

What if I have to stop sponsoring?

If you can no longer continue, your sponsored child will remain in the programme but we need to find them a new sponsor. 

Tearfund’s partner Compassion is committed to long-term support, so your child will still receive care, education and meals. We do our best to match them with a new sponsor quickly, so they feel seen, supported and encouraged again. 

The child you sponsor won’t be able to receive personal letters or gifts through Tearfund after sponsorship concludes, as those are unique to your sponsor relationship. 


 

Need help with something?

If you have any questions that haven’t been answered here, please email info@tearfund.org.nz or contact our lovely Supporter Services Team on 0800 800 777 (Mon-Fri).

Mums and Bubs

If it’s not the right time for you to sponsor a child, would you consider giving $30 a month to help children in poverty survive their first year of life?

Tearfund's partner, Compassion, works with mums and babies in Indonesia and Uganda to prevent premature death, secure good health and enable positive development for babies and their caregivers.

Mums and Bubs aims for an infant and their caregiver to be physically healthy, encouraged in self-confidence and able to build healthy relationships, equipped with life skills and given the opportunity to hear the gospel message. Through Mums and Bubs, you can help provide the support needed for the best start to life.

Support Mums & Bubs