Sustaining our impact for children living in poverty
You are part of an amazing community of child sponsors here in New Zealand, making a huge difference for children – thank you! More than ever, children living in poverty need child sponsorship as they navigate a global pandemic, rising living costs and inflation, all of which are hitting the world’s poorest families the hardest.
That’s why we decided to increase our monthly child sponsorship rate from $52 to $56/month to continue making the biggest impact we can in the life of your child. For most supporters this change came into effect on October 1, 2022.
We know that times are challenging for many of us here in New Zealand too. However, providing a child in poverty with the educational, nutritional and medical support they need to overcome it simply costs more today than it did five years ago – the last time we increased our monthly sponsorship rate.
We know you might have questions so we put together some FAQ’s just for you. You can read more in the Frequently Asked Questions below or contact our friendly team on 0800 800 777 or email info@tearfund.org.nz.
Why is my monthly sponsorship rate increasing?
Like many others, we're facing a growing challenge at Tearfund to continue providing the same quality of programming for sponsored children amidst rising costs of essentials like food, fuel and basic materials. Through careful planning and determination to make every cent count, we've managed to keep child sponsorship low and at the same rate for the past five years.
However, given the economic changes we’re all currently experiencing, we simply cannot achieve the same results for each dollar as we could five years ago. We don’t want children to bear the brunt of these costs and lose out on important life-giving interventions like education, medical, and nutritional support. So instead, we’ve made the choice to raise the monthly sponsorship rate in order to continue to make the same impact on children’s lives.
What do I need to do to activate the rate change if I pay by credit card or direct debit?
Nothing. If you’re ready to adopt the new sponsorship rate, then no further action is required from you. However, if you are unable to sustain your commitment at this new rate, then please contact our friendly team Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm on 0800 800 777 or email us at info@tearfund.org.nz. They will be happy to discuss your options.
What do I need to do to activate the rate change if I pay by automatic payment?
If you pay by automatic payment, please adjust the payment to the new rate of $56 a month with your bank. If you would like to switch to a direct debit or card payment, it would save on our administration costs and would save you the hassle of adjusting future payments. To do this, simply call us or email our friendly team and they’ll be happy to help.
Does this increase mean you are adding new projects or changing sponsorship?
No, it will still be the child sponsorship programme you know and love. Our sponsorship rate is changing so that together we can sustain our impact on children’s lives, and they can continue to grow and thrive in the programme. Your ongoing commitment at the updated rate means we can continue showing up for children living in poverty.
Why is the rate increase processed automatically? Shouldn’t I have to tell you if I want to increase?
We are a small team and it would take significant resources and time to contact every sponsor who is part of our programme. Therefore, the most efficient and effective way to complete this process is to use an “opt-out” approach. Our partner Compassion International has been advised on “best practices” to ensure we complete this process with the highest level of integrity and has concluded that this approach makes the best use of Tearfund’s time and resources, and is also the simplest option for our sponsors too. If you would like to speak to someone about your rate increase, our friendly team is happy to connect with you. Give us a call us at 0800 800 777, Monday to Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm or email info@tearfund.org.nz.
Why are you increasing the sponsorship rate now when many are struggling financially in New Zealand?
Put simply, if we don’t change the rate, children in poverty will bear the burden of rising costs and inflation because we will have to make difficult adjustments to the programme. If we continue at the same rate, we will have to supplement sponsorship funds with other funds in order to meet the true costs of sponsorship. This has already been happening and is not sustainable. It also diverts funds that could be used for other needs that make an impact for children living in poverty.
We understand that many of us have found the last few years financially challenging. That’s why we chose to pause the increase until we had exhausted other options.
However, this is now an urgent need that we can’t delay any longer. An increase is vital to sustain the impact for the children we serve and ensure sustainability for our programmes and impact.
What does sponsorship provide for the child I sponsor?
Over the last 70 years, our partner Compassion International have revolutionised the fight against global poverty by partnering with local churches to lift children out of spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty, and connect them with loving and supportive people around the world, like you. As a child sponsor, you help sustain that legacy of impact and ensure we can continue helping children in desperate need right now.
Child sponsorship provides formal and non-formal educational opportunities, healthcare, hygiene training, supplementary food, personal attention, guidance and love, and the opportunity to hear about Jesus and receive age-appropriate Christian teaching and discipleship at a local church.
Thank you for investing in your sponsored child’s life. Your generosity is making a transformational difference for them and their family.