Direct sponsorships of individual children are an extremely popular way for Westerners to fight poverty around the globe. However, these initiatives are also highly criticized for their mixed effects on local communities. It is critical for donors to examine their motivations and commitment levels and learn about potential consequences so that they can make an informed decision on whether financially sponsoring a child in another country is suitable for them.

Breaking Down the Most Common Motivations for Child Sponsorship

“I want the satisfaction of helping someone I have a connection to.” 

Being able to see the direct impact of your assistance is what often motivates people to donate. Some sponsors may want their sponsees to fit a criterion that resonates with them, such as “high potential,” “hardworking,” or “most impoverished.” Based on my time working at a school in rural China that participated in direct sponsorships, there was always a visible boost of confidence in students that received subsidies. It is important to note that purely financial motivation didn’t develop stronger ambition in children but rather enabled those who already had inner drive by reducing financial constraints. By going in with a supportive mindset, many direct sponsors have great success in improving a child’s quality of life.

“I don’t want my contributions getting lost in layers of bureaucracy.”

It is entirely reasonable for a person to desire accountability and control over the allocation of their contributions. However, remember that the administrative side of nonprofits and schools is vital for operations and needs funding. If your goal is to maximize your impact, sometimes your dollar is better spent donating to an organization than an individual. These programs have a better understanding of the community’s needs and how to allocate resources efficiently.

“I want to post on Instagram.” 

Social media posts are organic forms of advertising that encourage more people to support the cause. If you believe that direct sponsorship has an overall positive impact, leveraging your social profiles is a great way to spread awareness. However, please don’t exploit the child for your public image, and remember always to get guardian permission. The child you are supporting should always be the main priority, and it is irresponsible to abandon the program once the praise dwindles.

How Will My Sponsorship Affect the Local Community?

A formidable issue with programs focused on funding via direct sponsorships, such as orphanage tours, is that families enter their kids expecting financial support. This motivation breeds economic dependence and heightens child exploitation. Organizations that allow for (but do not focus on) direct sponsorships do not actively push these opportunities to maintain equality amongst their participants. However, these actions still cause frustration amongst students due to the seemingly arbitrary selection process and do not always promote positive values. For example, honor roll students witnessing lower-scoring peers receiving aid instead of them learn that educational achievements are not rewarded. Most sponsored families are thankful for this opportunity but are also disturbed by the lack of equality amongst their children. 

Myth: You Need to be Wealthy to Sponsor a Child

Sponsors are not expected to support the child completely; they usually only provide supplementary funding. While Save the Children asks for at least $350/year, many programs do not include a minimum requirement. With international sponsorships, one US dollar is usually worth significantly more in the sponsee’s country. Organizations such as Shin Shin Educational Foundation allow the sponsor to include stipulations such as “these donations will continue for as long as the student is in school” to incentivize the pursuit of higher education. 

Consistency is far more important than the monetary amount per contribution. Unfortunately, many well-meaning sponsors promise annual donations and then forget about the sponsorship within a year. The inconsistency sours the relationship between the organization and the students’ families and negatively impacts the students, who blame themselves for the donations stopping. In response, some programs ask for sponsors to commit to a set multi-year plan and sign up for auto-renewals. The sponsor should also reach out to the sponsee’s guardians to set clear expectations from the very beginning and maintain strong communication. If this arrangement isn’t suitable for you, please consider making a one-time donation instead.

I Am Committed to Directly Sponsoring a Child. What Are the Next Steps, and How Can I Improve this Experience?

The first step is to choose a program and child to sponsor. Here is a list of criteria you should consider when selecting an organization and a sponsee— although some organizations are now letting the students choose their sponsor. Speak with others who have sponsored a child through the same program. Charity Navigator is an unbiased resource to learn about a charity’s accountability & transparency, financial performance, and contributions and expenses breakdown.

To maximize the sponsor’s feeling of fulfullment, many programs require sponsees to send letters. Take advantage of this opportunity to write them back! Act as a mentor and additional resource as they navigate school and potential career paths. Sponsors who maintain strong communication with their sponsees become more attuned to individual issues and form a bond that spans beyond simple obligations.

A far less common but incredibly impactful activity I’ve witnessed is direct sponsors organizing trips for their rural sponsees to visit a city and tour corporations and museums. These endeavors aim to expand the students’ outlook on career possibilities and let them experience cultural differences in a new (and more modernized) place. These trips are incredibly demanding for the sponsor as they are responsible for planning the dining, transportation, housing, and activities for the student. Despite the tedium this work entails, these trips inspire incredible motivation for the sponsees, especially for older students, and deepens donor-student relationships. However, it is essential to remember that these trips highlight the disparity between those who do not have sponsorships. Some students reported feeling trapped in their current situation after witnessing other lifestyles. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss the details with the child’s family and respect their wishes if they choose not to let their child on a trip.

Direct child sponsorships can be an enriching experience for both the sponsor and the sponsee when executed correctly. Being a sponsor should be more than just providing financial support; it is an opportunity to truly connect with a student and help them achieve their potential. Remember that even if a direct sponsorship is not the best path for you, there are still many ways for you to make a difference in a child’s life.