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Sponsor a child
BE A DREAM MAKER
SPONSORS ARE NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER. SEE FOR YOURSELF HOW YOU’LL CHANGE LIVES.
Every child deserves a chance in life. The impact of the global coronavirus crisis is still unfolding and now more than ever, we urgently need sponsors to help children and their communities. Become a dream maker and start your sponsorship journey below by choosing where you’d like to sponsor a child.
Sponsor a child
HOW SPONSORSHIP WORKS
A one-to-one connection
You’ll have a one-to-one connection with a child. They’ll write to you and if you want you can write back, or even visit!
to empower children and communities
We do everything we can to educate, empower and protect children in our communities. However, families will always have autonomy over their own lives and the future of their children – every sponsored child’s journey is unique.
from as little as 65p a day
It's just 65p a day to sponsor a child. At least 80% of our income goes towards funding vital projects, benefiting whole communities in the country where your sponsored child lives.
WHY CHILDREN NEED YOU
One in every four children is living in a country affected by conflict or disaster
Every three secondsanother girl becomes a child bride
Every 60 secondsa child dies because they don’t have access to clean water
WHAT YOUR SPONSORSHIP WILL DO
WHEN YOU SPONSOR A CHILD, YOU HELP THEIR WHOLE COMMUNITY
Protecting children during emergencies
You’ll help children stay safe through the toughest circumstances, from learning how to wash their hands to prevent the spread of diseases to taking shelter if a disaster strikes.
Providing clean water and healthcare
Your gift will help provide the essentials that give children the strength and hope to go on to reach their potential.
Protecting girls from abuse
You’ll help prevent harmful practices like child marriage and FGM and give girls an equal chance to go to school and decide their own futures.
Providing education and vocational skills
You'll give children a chance to achieve their dreams by providing books, uniforms and ensuring girls and boys have an equal chance to learn.
Sarah’s Story
Eight-year-old Sarah is a happy girl from Ghana who loves to sing.
Thanks to child sponsorship, Sarah has the chance to go to school, with teachers trained in her area. Her village now also has a safe water supply and there are toilets at her school – which means that whilst they’re learning, Sarah and her friends are less at risk of getting sick with diseases spread by dirty water.
Sponsor a child today and see for yourself the difference you make through the letters and drawings they'll send you.
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE
Welcome pack and photos
A welcome email and a pack in the post introducing your sponsored child, along with information about them and their community. You’ll also receive a booklet in the post, with guidance on how to write and tips on what to say.
Letters and drawings
Your sponsored child will send you a letter or drawing. It may take a little longer to arrive while we take steps to keep communities safe from coronavirus, but you’ll see it’s worth the wait! For each letter you send, you’ll receive a reply.
Updates about their progress
You’ll receive an annual progress update in the post, showing the difference your donations are helping to make to the child you sponsor, their friends and their community.
SHARING HOPES FOR THE FUTURE
“Though everything looks tough, I am tougher than the situation.”
Sponsored child, Kenya
“Different language is not a hindrance in making friends.”
Sponsored child, Philippines
“My dream is to be a musician in the future.”
Sponsored child, Sierra Leone
WHY CHOOSE PLAN INTERNATIONAL?
Pioneers of child sponsorship
Plan International were the first-ever child sponsorship organisation.
Over 80 years’ experience
Sponsors have been enabling children globally to reach their potential for over 80 years.
Leaders in girls’ rights
We listen to and empower girls to find solutions to the unique challenges they face.
Frequently asked questions
Is sponsorship like adoption?
No, it's not. The child you sponsor will have a family of their own, but your words of encouragement play an important role for them and their community. Letter writing also helps children learn about other cultures and improve their literacy skills.
Can I send a gift?
Yes, you can send small gifts that fit in an A4 package. To promote fairness we ask you to follow our guidelines on what you can send. These include modest, shareable items such as crayons or skipping ropes. Please understand that gifts will take longer to arrive while we protect communities from coronavirus.
Can I visit my sponsored child?
Visits are currently on hold until we can be sure there are no safety concerns due to coronavirus. Once visits are possible again, we can support you in organising a one-day, fully-supervised visit, which will leave you with treasured memories and an insight into how sponsorship helps children.
How long will I sponsor for?
We hope your relationship with us and the child you sponsor will continue for a number of years. But, if your circumstances change, you can stop at any time and we will try to find another sponsor for your sponsored child. Children are usually sponsored until they are 18.
How do you keep children safe?
Your support will help end harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). Safeguarding children and young people is at the heart of everything we do, which is why we have well-established systems in place to make sure the children we work with are protected.
How can I request more information?
Our Supporter Relations team are happy to answer any questions you have about sponsorship and our work. You can reach them on 0300 777 9779 or supporterquestions@plan-uk.org.