Why sponsor a child during the coronavirus pandemic?

When pandemics hit, regardless of where they start, they usually hit the poor first and worst. Low- and middle-income countries have weaker health systems and limited capacity to handle surges in cases. The impacts are disproportionately harder on the poorer and more vulnerable segments in society. There are some estimates that this crisis will push 49 million people into extreme poverty in 2020, and the larger share will be in countries already struggling with high poverty rates — countries where we are working now. *

When you become a sponsor, your ongoing support will provide the support that every child in poverty needs to thrive. And the way this pandemic has impacted families around the world has made the support of sponsorship even more powerful. Your sponsorship will fill the growing gaps between what a child has and what she needs:

• Access to medical and dental care, and physical and mental health resources

  • Many of our locations have shifted to providing vital telehealth to children and families who need it. We’ve also ramped up our education programming for healthy behaviors, like handwashing.

• Education assistance, tutoring, youth programs and core life-skills training

  • During stay-at-home orders, our teams are offering virtual tutoring sessions and providing learning materials for those who don’t have access to technology. We’re doing the best we can to keep children learning, but once schools reopen, children in poverty will likely need even more help catching up.

• A team of skilled staff and volunteers and the safety net of their support

  • Currently, this team is primarily working remotely and around the clock to provide support to children and families who are navigating this crisis. All of our locations have created task forces to coordinate with local government and other NGOs to develop plans and make decisions related to this pandemic.

• Your support and encouragement during a crisis like no other

  • The support of sponsorship is so important right now. It’s a scary time for all of us, and finding a new friend can be such a source of hope, especially for a child in poverty. You can give a child strength as they continue to navigate the unknown.

Programming that addresses all stages of a child’s development

Learn how your support drives our programming under normal circumstances. Over the past 80 years, we’ve fine-tuned a high-impact, evidence-based approach that empowers children and youth to break free from poverty for good.

Learn more

While all of our children urgently need the support of sponsorship, those with a "most needy" red flag are facing the least stable living circumstances. The criteria to determine the ‘most needy’ flag are related to basic necessities, and include availability of electricity, clean water, sanitary conditions, sleeping accommodations and presence of parents. 

Sponsorship continues to provide life-changing help to your child

Your support is especially critical during this time, as families around the world are having their lives upended by the lasting effects of the coronavirus. However, your sponsorship experience will begin a little differently than it normally would.