Medical Care

Easy access to medical care and treatment is vital during the first years of sponsorship. It is equally important to monitor the height and weight of each child to ensure they are growing properly.

Children 11 and under receive an annual medical checkup. Those with medical conditions are treated promptly, given any necessary tests and medication, and even referred to specialists as needed. Ongoing care is provided at the sponsorship center medical clinics, which treat everything from common respiratory infections to chicken pox.

Education

We usually do not provide individual educational benefits to children who are not yet enrolled in school; however, the sponsorship center may be equipped with developmental games and toys and age-appropriate books they can use.

Children eligible to enter school are provided with benefits intended to help their parents overcome the financial restrictions that might prevent their children from enrolling in school – items such as school uniforms and shoes, school fees, backpacks and other supplies.

Clothing and Other Material Benefits

Young children quickly outgrow clothing and shoes, so these items are important benefits that mothers, in particular, especially treasure. Clothing generally benefits several family members too. When items provided to sponsored children become too small, they are often passed on to siblings.

Medical Care

Sponsored youth have easy access to medical care, tests, treatment and medication, but they are not always required to receive an annual checkup. However, through participation in the youth program, they have opportunities to learn about preventive health measures and overall wellness.

Education

Although school attendance is not mandatory for all children, it is strongly encouraged. When circumstances prevent some from obtaining a traditional education, our project volunteers and staff will work with those children to find suitable alternatives such as home study, vocational training, life skills training and other meaningful initiatives to help them become self-reliant adults.

Clothing

Teenagers particularly welcome new clothing. Growing up in extreme poverty is hard enough without the added difficulty of maintaining a basic wardrobe. Clothing items such as jeans, shirts and blouses, jackets, socks and shoes are tangible benefits that help support their self-esteem.

Youth Program

Our youth program gives older sponsored children the chance to realize their potential. By focusing on leadership, life skills, community service, civic involvement and other social values, the program involves youth in positive activities that boost their self-esteem and social competence, while creating visible change among their communities and peers.

Youth also have the chance to take part in fun events and activities such as athletics, theater, music and educational field trips.

Access to Sponsorship Centers

In most areas where we work, the sponsorship center is a hub of activity – a place where staff and volunteers coordinate activities, host meetings, and distribute gifts and benefits. They are also places for sponsored children to play, use the library, receive tutoring and training and attend youth program functions.

Dental Care

Impoverished families often go without quality dental care in order to pay for more pressing needs like food and rent. Sometimes, dental care isn’t even available in their communities.

That’s why dental clinics can be found at most of our sponsorship centers. Providing dental services isn’t just about keeping children’s teeth and gums clean; it’s crucial to proper nutrition, overall health and good self-esteem. Regular dental screenings and appropriate follow-up care provides a key, often overlooked health benefit for many sponsored children.

In locations without a regular dental program, medical staff monitor for potential problems and frequently refer children to dentists or specialists when treatment is needed.

Nutritional Aid

We check all sponsored children for signs of malnutrition during their routine medical checkups. Those who are seriously malnourished are enrolled in our nutrition program, where they may be provided with emergency food, vitamins and other support.

Children, their parents and other family members may also receive dietary guidance such as food-handling and preparation classes, nutrition games and materials and even instruction on how to grow healthy gardens.

Family Assistance

Without sponsorship, many families would have nowhere to turn in times of crisis. Your support ensures that families have some access to a network of support during disasters, emergencies or in those cases when serious life events threaten families’ well-being. Temporary food, clothing and other emergency relief is occasionally available, along with counseling assistance and crisis management.

Of course, the goal is to create long-term stability for sponsored families, so several sponsorship centers offer opportunities like micro-enterprise loans, skills training and community awareness programs.

Housing Program

Home repairs are an essential part of everyday life for many sponsored families. Whenever they find themselves in need of a new roof or some other repair, they can apply for home-improvement assistance or, in some cases, a small home-improvement loan.

As resources allow, each year we are able to build new homes for families living in dire circumstances. And while this isn’t something every child benefits from, the program has significantly improved the lives of thousands of children already and will continue to do so in the future.