Release a child from poverty, in Jesus' name

Help a child to break free from poverty and discover the freedom to learn, grow, play, and dream.

Sponsor a Child

Release a child from poverty, in Jesus' name

Help a child to break free from poverty and discover the freedom to learn, grow, play, and dream.


Together, we're lifting up one child at a time

When you sponsor a child, you join 7,500 other Kiwis opening a door to education, medical care, nutritional support and opportunities that were once out of reach. You’re walking alongside a child living in poverty, as they step into lasting change. 

Sponsorship helps children grow up knowing they are seen, valued, and not alone. It supports education by helping children learn and develop their skills. It provides encouragement through consistent relationships that build confidence and hope. It supports local churches and communities who walk alongside children and their families. It also helps meet practical needs around health and wellbeing, so children are better able to thrive. Children in Compassion programmes stay in school longer, and are encouraged to dream boldly. Some even become the first in their family to go to university.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14

 

 

Children supported through sponsorship are

18%
18% more likely to secure salaried employment
40%
40% more likely to complete secondary education
80%
80% more likely to complete university

 

 


What makes our sponsorship programme special?

Tearfund partners with Compassion, a global neighbourhood committed to releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

Jesus is the centre of everything we do and every child in our programme hears the gospel. They receive a Bible and get connected with pastors and volunteers who gently encourage them in their faith. Children experience Jesus’ love through the acts of kindness and care sponsorship provides.

Compassion’s sponsorship programmes partner with a local church in the child's community. Over 8,500 local churches are carrying Christ's compassion into their communities, where they know the people and see the need. They were 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. Through your eyes they start to see a world so much bigger than their own, and begin to hope and dream for their future.

And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Matthew 18:5

What sponsors say

Kiwis share their sponsorship stories.

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 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



How sponsorship changed their lives

I believe that without the programme, it would have been impossible for me to become a security guard. My mentor at the centre also motivated me to do my best. When I felt down because I didn’t believe in myself, she was always willing to listen when I shared my thoughts. I’m happy because I now have a stable income. Financial independence is essential because I can help my mother.

I’m thankful for every moment during my time in the Compassion sponsorship programme. I had a good childhood because of the people around me, not only the memory of activities and how much the centre staff cared for us. My most precious memory is of my sponsor and how he made me feel that I have a complete family.

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.