WIXLIB

Child SponsorHandbook

About World VisionWorld Vision is a Christian humanitarianorganisation working to create lastingchange in the lives of children, families andcommunities living in poverty. We serve allpeople regardless of religion, race, ethnicityor gender.Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision,cares for needy children around theworld.As followers of Jesus, we are dedicated toworking with the world’s most vulnerablepeople.World Vision was established by Dr. Bob Pierce, an American journalist, in 1950.Currently, we are working in nearly 100 countries. World Vision focuses onchildren because when they are well fed, sheltered, schooled, protected, valued,and loved, a community thrives.Our VisionOur vision for every child,life in all its fullness;Our prayer for every heart,the will to make it so.Our Core ValuesWe are ChristianWe value peopleWe are partnersWe are committed to the poorWe are stewardsWe are responsive

Contents1-2Learn about Child Sponsorship What is Child Sponsorship? How does Child Sponsorship help children?3-5Build a relationship with your sponsored child 6Sponsorship information you will receiveWriting to your sponsored childSending gifts to your sponsored childSending greeting cards to your sponsored childActivities for child sponsors New sponsor orientation Sponsor gathering Visiting your sponsored child7-8FAQs

Learn aboutChild SponsorshipWhat is Child Sponsorship?World Vision Child Sponsorship is a child-focused and community-basedprogramme which aims at improving the long-term livelihood of a sponsoredchild, his/her family and the entire community.How does Child Sponsorship help children?World Vision pools together the monthly donations from sponsors toimplement Area Development Programmes (ADP ) in sponsored children’scommunities. Typically, an ADP will last for 15 years, covering a wide rangeof development projects including water, agriculture, healthcare, educationand economic development. Community participation is strongly encouragedand valued because it is through this process that community members areempowered to establish a self-reliant and sustainable community where yoursponsored child will grow and blossom.Phases of an ADP1Trust buildingYears 1-3Gradual transformationYears 4-14 Build partnership Joint planning anddecision-making Momentum builds oninitial project success Increase communityownershipSustainable developmentYear 15 to project close Establish capacityand confidence Community-leddevelopment

A thriving community enriches children’s livesImplemented by World Vision in 2006, Birampur ADPin Bangladesh has worked with the villagers to improvenutrition, education and economic development intheir communities for the benefit of their children.Islam, a sponsored child, is one of the beneficiaries.Through the nutrition project, women have learnt toprepare nutritious meals from local produce. Theyhave also become more aware of proper personalhygiene, which helps improve children’s health.Farming households have received training inagriculture and livestock rearing, which enables themto increase their family income and become morefood secure.As part of the women’s group,Islam’s mother learned to sew. Shehas since been able to bring in extraincome while taking care of herfamily at the same time. She has alsoenjoyed a higher status in the family.Islam has witnessed gradual improvement of hisliving environment. He is delighted to have a caringand encouraging sponsor who gives him support ashe grows.2

Build a relationship withyour sponsored childSponsorship informationyou will receiveAt the startA picture folder — It contains your child’sphoto and personal details, as well ashis/her country’s profile. Through theseyou can better understand your child’sbackground and the needs of the family and community.Child’s introductory letter — Excited to have you as his/her sponsor, your childwill write you the first letter1 with the assistance of World Vision field staff. Theletter marks the beginning of a unique relationship between you and your child.One year onAnnual Progress Report — After a year ofsponsorship, you will start receiving your child’sannual progress report 2 which provides updates onyour child’s growth and the progress of the ADP.You will also find a recent photo of your child.Child Sponsorship Annual Report — In mid-year, youwill receive this report which summarisesWorld Vision’s global programme achievements in theprevious financial year.Remarks: 1 For young children who can’t write yet, their letters will be written by relatives,friends or World Vision field staff on their behalf.2Please contact us if you have not received your child’s Annual Progress Report bythe end of the year.3

Writing to your sponsored childYour sponsored child loves to hear from you. A nice and simple letter wouldwarm his/her heart. Please be patient while waiting for your child’s reply as ittakes time for delivery. If you do not receive a reply 4 months after you havesent your letter, please contact us for follow-up.MailingLetters should be sent directly to the World Vision office in your child’s country.If translation into English is required, please send it to World Vision Hong Kong.Child’s name and ID numberXXXABC-123456-0000XXX654321Dear.,Your name andyour partnernumberHow are you?Name of World Vision OfficeOffice AddressAIR MAILThe address of the World Vision office in your child’s countryis printed at bottom right corner of the picture folder.Writing eLettersYou may also write your sponsored child an eLetter terwhich will be directed to the World Vision office in your sponsored child’s country.Tips: Due to different cultural and living environment, avoid sensitive topics such as wealth,religion and politics.To protect your privacy, do NOT disclose your contact details such as address, emailor phone number in the letters.Letters from all sponsors will be screened before they are sent to your sponsoredchild. Any sensitive or culturally inappropriate content and sponsors’ contact detailswill be removed.4

Sending gifts to your sponsored childWe usually encourage sponsors to write more frequently to sponsoredchildren. Your love and support to your sponsored child are already the bestgift of all! However, if you would like to send gifts, please note the following: Your gift should fit into an A4 envelope Do not send bulky or expensive gifts because this may stir jealousy amongstthe children, and will increase our administrative and handling costs Avoid gifts with religious messages as sponsored children are from culturallydifferent backgrounds. E.g. pigs are regarded as unclean by Muslims, so anygifts with pig images or graphics to Muslim sponsored children are stronglydiscouraged.Recommended gifts Postcards Birthday cards Photographs Stickers Bookmarks Stationery*Gifts to avoid Clothes* Food* Jewellery* Cash* Second-hand items* Watches or other electronic products* Fabric products (applied to DR Congo only)Some countries have import restrictions and impose high taxes on these goodsSending greeting cards toyour sponsored childEvery year, World Vision will design afestive greeting card for you to send yourlove and blessings to your sponsored child.A sponsored child in Bangladesh smiles cheerfullyas she receives the greeting card from her sponsorin Hong Kong.5

Activities forchild sponsorsNew sponsor orientation* ( Monthly)This is specially designed for new child sponsors. You can learn more about ourChild Sponsorship and how to communicate with your sponsored child.Sponsor gathering* (Annual)You will gain a better understanding of how your contributions can help yoursponsored child and his/her community. You are also welcome to share aboutyour sponsorship journey.Visiting your sponsored childSupporter tourSponsors are welcome to join oursupporter tours, which are organised ona regular basis. Participants may see inperson the lives and needs of local people,and understand the development works ofWorld Vision. If your sponsored child livesin the area, we will try our best to arrangefor you to meet your child in person.Gigi had an unforgettable experiencemeeting her sponsored child, Nada,in India.Self-guided visitA self-guided visit to your sponsored child can be arranged through WorldVision’s offices worldwide. Please notify us at least three months prior to yourdeparture to allow for the necessary arrangements with field offices. Sincesponsored children usually live in remote areas with limited communicationnetwork, it takes time for us to coordinate with the field staff to ensure yoursafety during the visit.*The gathering will be conducted in Cantonese6

FAQsHow much of my monthly donation actually goes tomy sponsored child?Your monthly donation will be pooled with that of the other sponsors toimplement an ADP in your sponsored child’s community — cash will not begiven directly to your child or the child’s family.To free a child from poverty, it is more effective to help his/her communityachieve sustainable development than to just meet the child’s individual needs.For example, instead of using donations to buy water for sponsored children,we will help the community dig wells and train villagers to maintain the watersupply system, so that the whole community can have access to clean water,with future generations also benefiting from this lasting change.How long does a sponsorship usually last?The duration of sponsorship varies according to the progress of thecommunity’s development. When the community has achieved self-reliance andthe ADP is closing, your sponsorship will also come to an end.However, changes in a child’s circumstances may also affect the duration. Yoursponsorship will end when your sponsored child finishes school, gets married,moves out of the community,* or when his or her family has achieved a betterliving. In these cases, we will give you a written notification, and transfer yoursponsorship to another child in need. If you prefer other arrangements, pleasecontact our Donor Services Department.*7Some sponsored children may leave the community temporarily for specific reasons.To avoid losing their sponsorship, World Vision’s field staff will monitor their situationsfor six months. Once we confirm that a child has permanently moved out of thecommunity, we will notify the child sponsor. Donations received during the period willbe used to support the ongoing development projects in the child’s community.

Can I share my sponsored child’s informationthrough social media or other channels?You are welcome to share the joy of sponsorship with your friends andrelatives and invite them to become child sponsors, helping more needychildren. However, please take note of the following to ensure your sponsoredchild’s safety and privacy: The child must be adequately clothed in the shared photos. Family name, sponsorship ID and location/address of the child should NOTbe disclosed. Uploaded child photos should NOT be geo-tagged to the precise locationsof sponsored child. Storage and transmission of the child’s personal information using internet,mobile devices, or other electronic means should be password-protected.When will I get the donation receipt?At the beginning of each fiscal year, you will receive an annual receipt detailingall your donations made in the previous financial year. If you require receiptsfor individual payments, please contact our Donor Services Department.How can I donate?Direct debit is the most effective donation method in reducing ouradministrative costs. Besides, you can use credit card, PPS ( Payment by PhoneService ) , crossed cheques, our online donation service, or you can visit ouroffice in person to make your donations.8