What Is Involved in Sponsoring a Child From a Developing Country?

Many international humanitarian organizations, such as World Vision International , the Christian Children's Fund , PlanUSA , Save the Children , and Children International , offers donors the opportunity to “sponsor” individual children living in poverty in developing nations. The cost of sponsorship is typically between $20 and $35 a month, and will allow you to establish a personal correspondence with your sponsored child by exchanging regular letters and photos with him or her. The relationship may often continue until the child reaches the age of 18, at which point you may be offered another child to sponsor—perhaps even a sibling of your previous sponsored child. Raise money for these nonprofits and other nonprofits.

Your monthly contribution typically will go towards costs for basic necessities, such as food, medical supplies, education, and clean water. For organizations that are religious in nature (which include World Vision and Christian Charity Fund), some of the money will also go towards providing religious materials and education. You will receive regular updates from your sponsored child on his or her progress, and how the contribution is helping.

Though child sponsorship is a popular form of charitable giving, it faces some criticism. In a New Internationalist article, editor Peter Salk describes some of the issues associated with sponsoring a child internationally. He claims that child sponsorship programs are an inefficient use of funds, because so much is spent on marketing materials to promote each child. He also believes that, by sponsoring children individually, well-meaning donors serve to pit children against one another, and make those who do not receive sponsorships feel bad. He argues that it is far more effective to donate to groups that work to serve entire communities and provide them with tools to become self-sufficient.

If you’d prefer to make a donation to an organization focused on helping communities grow and become successful, consider giving to a microfinance-focused nonprofit like CARE , Heifer , or Women for Women International . Or, to learn more about whether sponsoring a child is a good option for you and your family, visit the website of the organization you wish to sponsor through to learn more about how they work.