Tag Archives: child

Ron Carter | September 10, 2023En Español

Puerto Rico has had a special place in my heart ever since I first visited the island in 2018 to help rebuild homes after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. Since then, we at Children Incorporated have been working hard to establish our first affiliated site in Puerto Rico, partnering with Iglesia Bautista de Metrópolis to help support children and families for the long-term. This past April, I was able to return to Puerto Rico for the first time in five years to visit with our volunteer coordinators and hear more about how our sponsors and donors are changing the lives of those in need.

The urgent need to help with building repairs was the reason I first made a trip to Puerto Rico.

In this edition of Stories of Hope, I want to dive into the history of Puerto Rico and talk about the current situation that citizens face in order to give our supporters a better understanding of why I felt affiliating with Iglesia Bautista de Metrópolis was so fitting for Children Incorporated’s mission and values, and why your donations are important to this vulnerable territory.

A Visual of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has a rich history that spans hundreds of years, which is memorialized throughout the capital of San Juan.

Puerto Rico is an archipelago between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. It is located approximately 1,000 miles southeast of Miami, Florida. It is east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands.

Puerto Rico is presently a territory of the United States with Commonwealth status, and includes the main island and several smaller islands. The main island is almost rectangular in shape. It is about 110 miles long and 35 ½ miles wide, making it larger than Rhode Island and smaller than Connecticut. It would take about three hours to drive from the east end of the island to the west end.

Puerto Rico is about 60% mountainous terrain with the exception of its coastal areas. The main island has a beautiful and incredibly varied landscape consisting of beaches, caves, deserts, rain forests, rivers, and the sea and ocean. The central mountains and rivers carry water throughout the island. The north coast tends to get more rain and is thus more fertile. The south coast is drier.

Puerto Rico is located along the Mona Passage, a strait that separates Puerto Rico and the island of Hispaniola (comprising the countries of the Dominican Republic and Haiti). The passage is a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal. Puerto Rico’s capital, San Juan, also has one of the best natural harbors in the Caribbean.

The history of the commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has a complicated colonial history and political status. As it is a U.S. territory, its residents are U.S. citizens. But while subject to U.S. laws, residents of the island cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections, and the island lacks voting representation in Congress. Its status as a territory means it is neither a U.S. state nor an independent country.

When Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1493, native Tainos inhabited the land. Columbus claimed the island for Spain, and for 400 years, Puerto Rico was under Spanish colonial rule. In 1517, the Spanish crown authorized the importation of enslaved Africans. During the time of Spanish colonial rule, the people of Puerto Rico experienced extreme poverty, repression, and taxation. In 1868, a revolt and uprising were attempted, and this was a turning point in relations between the native and enslaved people and the Spanish crown. Spain began to grant the natives some autonomy, and political parties were born. In 1873, slavery was finally abolished.

The political reforms had scarcely any time to develop. In 1898, just thirty years after the attempted uprising, the United States declared war on Spain. U.S. troops invaded Puerto Rico and occupied it during the remainder of the Spanish-American War. When the treaty was signed, Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the U.S.

In addition to its manufacturing sector, the island’s beautiful beaches and tropical climate contribute to a robust tourism industry.

For literally hundreds of years, the people of Puerto Rico have worked to decolonize their home. But there has been a long disagreement on how best to resolve this. Then, in November of 2020, Puerto Ricans voted in a nonbinding referendum on statehood. About 53% favored it, while 47% rejected it. However, the larger problem was that only 55% of Puerto Ricans voted in the referendum at all. Thus, while statehood proponents viewed the results as proof most citizens wanted statehood, opponents questioned the validity of the votes, citing their belief that their referendum was promoted by the pro-statehood group and the fact that it was non-binding anyway.

Economy and Poverty in Puerto Rico

For hundreds of years during its colonial period, Puerto Rico had an agricultural economy based on coffee, sugar, and tobacco. With industrialization, the economy changed. Today, Puerto Rico is known for the manufacturing of medical and pharmaceutical products. Agricultural biotechnology is growing. Much of the workforce is highly educated. The island has a university system that, as noted by its Department of Economic Development, “generates a steady stream of new talent.”

In addition to its manufacturing sector, the island’s beautiful beaches and tropical climate contribute to a robust tourism industry.

So — why is there so much poverty in Puerto Rico? There are several contributing factors which include:

Puerto Rico’s relatively small size as an island and the fact there are few natural resources to
produce highly profitable raw materials (e.g. oil, coal, natural gas, or metals) for sale/trade
over very long periods of time).
A federal funding shortfall means that Puerto Rico doesn’t always get the support
it needs to build its economy.
The island’s shrinking population of young working people due to outmigration.
This means its population is aging more rapidly than most other countries.
Natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, which have caused further economic
blows to the economy in more recent years. The impact of Hurricane
Maria in 2018 was devastating, and its impact is still being felt today.

Rebuilding after Hurricane Maria

Hurricane Irma had struck Puerto Rico less than two weeks before Maria, and 80,000 people were still without power as Hurricane Maria approached. Disaster supplies had been distributed for Hurricane Irma, but there was no time to replenish them before Hurricane Maria struck. The damages and outages caused by Hurricane Maria overwhelmed the island’s aging infrastructure and annihilated the power grid.

The capital of San Juan is home to many beautiful buildings, which showcases Puerto Rico’s diverse and artistic influences.

Sadly, it is estimated that 3,000 people lost their lives. Almost immediately, Puerto Rico was declared a federal disaster zone. In the week after the hurricane, 95% of the island had no electricity or cell phone service, and less than half of the island had potable water. Debris-clogged roads added to logistical problems. One month after the hurricane, all hospitals were running, but were still relying on backup generators with limited power. Almost one year after the hurricane, there were still numerous areas without electricity. To date, it is the longest blackout in U.S. history at eleven months.

The urgent need to help with building repairs was the reason I first made a trip to Puerto Rico. It was the connection through Grace Baptist (long time donors to Children Incorporated) that gave me an opportunity to serve the children on this beautiful island.

To this day, five and a half years after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is still considered in recovery due to the billions of dollars of damage and destruction that were sustained. The Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] has dedicated billions for infrastructure resilience efforts, but much has still not been spent.

More difficulty for a small island

To further cause strife to its residents, starting on December 28, 2019 and progressing into early 2020, Puerto Rico was struck by an “earthquake swarm,” consisting of hundreds of very small quakes. However, eleven were magnitude five or greater. The most damaging was an earthquake measured at 6.4 on January 7th. Power was lost island-wide. The southern part of the island suffered the most damage, especially the city of Ponce, the closest city to the earthquake’s epicenter. Lives were lost, businesses and homes were damaged and families were displaced.

At first, the island’s relative isolation helped slow the transmission of COVID-19, but eventually Puerto Rico was overwhelmed just like the rest of the world. COVID-19 reached its first peak in Puerto Rico in November 2020. There was another surge from mid-March to mid- April 2021 which was attributed to people returning to in-person work, as well as to dining and shopping indoors. Families had also gathered to celebrate Holy Week. Another surge struck around January 2022, when the omicron variant reached the island.

Pandemic restrictions had a significant negative impact on the island’s economy. The loss of jobs within Puerto Rico’s tourism industry, which comprises almost 30% of its gross domestic product, resulted in a significant increase in unemployment.

Although tourism has rebounded in the past year, the impact of the pandemic can still be felt as families attempt to recover from months of job losses, increased food insecurity and rising debt.

Next week, I look forward to sharing with you all about my visit to Iglesia Bautista de Metrópolis from April 2023.

When Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico in September of 2022, it was a Category 1 storm. But it caused additional damage to an already vulnerable island that was still recovering from damage caused five years prior by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The hurricane struck hardest in the southwestern part of the island. In the remote areas, it made life even harder.

While Fiona did not have winds as strong as Maria, it had more rain. Torrential rains caused severe flooding across the island (30” in some areas of the south), and the flooding was actually more widespread than during Maria. Roads that had finally been repaired after Maria were swept away again.

Experts say hurricanes cannot be studied as unique events. Instead, to properly assess long term economic impacts, one must study the compounding effects of multiple storm events. While not to the same degree as Maria’s damage, Fiona was still a multi-billion-dollar damage event that added to Puerto Rico’s economic burden.

Next week, I look forward to sharing with you all about my visit to Iglesia Bautista de Metrópolis in April 2023, when I had a chance to meet with our volunteer coordinators and hear more about the ways in which our sponsors and donors are helping children and their families in the community in Puerto Rico.

***

How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

You can sponsor a child in one of three ways: call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members; email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org; or go online to our sponsorship portal, create an account, and search for a child that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Kristen Walthall | September 4, 2023En Español

With each aﬃliated site I am fortunate enough to visit, I am perpetually reminded of just how invaluable it is to meet with our impassioned volunteer coordinators face-to-face on a regular basis. Through meeting with them, I am humbled and emboldened by their contagious passion, gratitude for Children Incorporated support, and desire to always do more — even if that means longer hours that bleed into their personal time.

As the day came to a close, I found myself so inspired by each and every one of these four women.

In mid-October of last year, I had the pleasure of meeting with an incredibly lively Geraldine in Page, Arizona, who is one-half of the Parent Liaison of Student Support Services dream team for the Page Unified School District. In that district, we are affiliated with four schools: Desert View Elementary School, Lake View Elementary School, Page Middle School, and Page High School. Upon picking me up, she immediately and proudly jumped into narrating the route that we were taking to get from my hotel to her oﬃce and talked about what I could expect to see and experience in the full day ahead of me.

Once we arrived at our meeting location at the Student Support Services oﬃce, I sat at a round table to meet with the elegant Lorraine, our current coordinator from the Indian Education Oﬃce; Geraldine; a smiling Virgie, the other half of Geraldine’s team; and an excited Sharon, Coordinator of Student Support Services. This was to be our new coordinator team, each member of which would exercise their distinctive talents and strengths in carrying out our program with Lorraine’s oversight: Geraldine would handle the finances, Geraldine and Virgie would do the shopping, and Sharon would manage our sponsorship program overall. All three women maintain regular contact with their community’s families.

A group photo of Kris (center) with our amazing coordinators from the Page United School District.

We immediately got down to business: the nuts and bolts of a smooth partnership for optimum assistance for the community they serve — which led to a brainstorming session about how we could all do more to reach an even greater number of students through our affiliation. Their wonderfully-maintained and secure campus includes Page Preschool, some of whose 76 high-need students they will begin enrolling under the Lake View/Desert View Elementary School aﬃliation umbrella. The preschool and Desert View Elementary School are next door to one another, and the preschool uses the elementary school cafeteria and gymnasium. The grounds also house Manson Mesa High School, a school created out of necessity for students who qualify per alternative standards, because they are considered at risk of dropping out of school due to challenges to their obtaining an education.

Our Hope In Action Fund recently provided Manson Mesa with a foosball table and an air hockey table; when I was taken into the recreation room to see them, there was a young lady sleeping on a cushioned bench in there. As we walked out of the rec room, with knowing eyes, Geraldine punctuated the encounter with a comment that the students who attend Manson Mesa live especially diﬃcult lives; the school adopts the approach of meeting these troubled teens wherever possible with the end goal of doing its very best to keep the kids in school, and have them eventually graduate.

We passed a music room where many students were engrossed in tinkering away at a variety of instruments alongside a mentor who was doing the same. I was introduced to enthusiastic staﬀ member after enthusiastic staﬀ member, all of whom sparkled when they were informed that I was from the organization whose donors had provided those tables to their rec room: “They are an invaluable recreational and distracting tool for our students,” they each told me gratefully, and in their own way.

We went oﬀ campus to visit Lake View Elementary School, which more than lives up to its name. Directly across from the school playground is Lake Powell, with water as deep blue as the sky at dusk, and which meanders through tall sun-dried canyons; the ladies explained that for Page residents, the lake serves as a great source of pride, as well as a meaningful source of income, as tourists visit the site for a boating experience unmatched anywhere else.

The reason Lake View Elementary School serves grades kindergarten through second, and Desert View Elementary School, third through fifth, is because when both schools served all primary grade levels, the district found that children’s parents were transferring students from one school to the other all too often, and for all sorts of reasons. In order to avoid the continuation of this issue of instability, the district opted to modify the grades that each respective school serves so that all Page Unified School District primary school students will now attend both elementary schools.

Through meeting with them, I am humbled and emboldened by their contagious passion, gratitude for Children Incorporated support, and desire to always do more.

Over the course of our day together the Page team informed me of a number of partnerships and programs that they maintain to supply the students they serve with the resources they need to obtain a quality education at their schools, which are cherished by so many Arizonians; some students come from even two hours away to attend the schools in Page — particularly because of the high school’s robust sports programs, which are followed and enjoyed statewide.

In addition to the support the Page team receives from Children Incorporated sponsors, McKinney-Vento Homeless Services provides funds, food, clothing, and an array of other basic necessities to the schools’ resource centers. In addition to oﬀering a Friday Food Program, School Supply Assistance, Community Resource Connections, Advocacy, Attendance Monitoring, a Clothing Closet, and other significant programs, the women oﬀer support in countless other ways.

Geraldine, a beautifully creative soul, for example, oﬀers students craft projects with a purpose, such as card making for special occasions for students who are unable to aﬀord cards; and journal making and journal keeping for those who may wish to learn a common practice for expressing their thoughts and feelings.

As the day came to a close, I found myself so inspired by each and every one of these four women; their commitment and productivity are an inspiration that will inform my work with Children Incorporated, as well as the everlasting value I attribute to our volunteers who manifest our work in the successes of the multitude of students they serve.

***

How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | August 29, 2023En Español

Our sponsors might not realize just how far their donations go to help children in need, but our volunteer coordinators, who see our sponsored children throughout the year, get to see first-hand how powerful sponsorship really is for kids and their families.

Today we hear from Melania at Crossroads Elementary School in Kentucky about how grateful she is for our program, and how it has affected so many people in her community.

“I have never been so thankful to receive funds to purchase new underwear, shoes, and socks. This removed a lot of my worry because I simply didn’t have the funds to purchase them.”

Hearing from Melania

“Dear Children Incorporated,

“On behalf of our wonderful students and the Family Resource Center here at Crossroads Elementary, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing us to participate in your wonderful program. The sponsorship program has allowed the Family Resource Center to help supply our students with various needs for their educational journey. Whether it be new school supplies, hygiene items, or new clothing and shoes, there’s nothing like seeing the pride and confidence on their faces after receiving the items. Even the school’s staff notices how proud the students are when they come to school the next morning wearing their new clothes and shoes that they received after a shopping trip, made possible by your wonderful sponsors and donors!”

Thanks to their sponsors, children at Crossroads Elementary School are receiving support throughout the year.

“I would like to share a couple of stories about how the Children Incorporated program and its donors have helped with our students’ needs. I have a grandmother who is raising her grandson who I speak with quite often over the phone. She’s tremendously grateful for the Children Incorporated program. She told me that she would not be able to make ends meet if it wasn’t for the program and it helps lift the burden of worrying about where she is going to find the extra money for clothing, shoes, and other needs her grandson requires.”

“Next, I have a family with three children who are enrolled in the Children Incorporated program. The youngest came to me one morning and was extremely upset because her shoes were coming apart, and she felt embarrassed. I found her a pair of shoes to wear and told her I would make sure she and her brothers received new shoes within a few days. Thanks to the Children Incorporated program, I was able to purchase each of the three children a new pair of shoes, along with socks! Now, every time she sees me, the youngest child smiles really big and runs up to hug me. Believe it or not, this program allows us to build such heartwarming relationships with our students and their families.”

“I would like to let everyone know that there aren’t enough words to describe how wonderful the Children Incorporated program is.”

“As a Family Resource Center Coordinator, I am extremely grateful for all the services that the Children Incorporated program has to offer our students. I noticed I was very low on shoes, socks, and underwear at the center. So, I called and requested Hope In Action funds from your organization. That was one of the biggest blessings! I have never been so thankful to receive funds to purchase new underwear, shoes, and socks. This removed a lot of my worry because I simply didn’t have the funds to purchase them.”

“As I am finishing up this letter, I would like to let everyone know that there aren’t enough words to describe how wonderful the Children Incorporated program is, and I want to thank the donors for all the contributions they graciously provide for the students and their families. Trust me, nothing goes unnoticed! We here at Crossroads Elementary School are truly blessed to be a part of the Children Incorporated program.”

Sincerely,
Melania

***

How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | August 17, 2023

Here at Children Incorporated, we know that sponsoring a child in need is extraordinarily rewarding, so we want to provide you with a guide to walk you through the process.

In order to make your decision as easy as possible, here you will find the answers to sixteen of the most common questions we receive about sponsoring a child in the United States.

If you still have questions after reading the following, please feel to contact us, and we will be happy to help.

1. What is sponsorship?

The sponsorship relationship enables an individual sponsor to help support a child in need by means of monthly contributions. Monthly sponsorship donations go towards providing basic necessities such as school supplies and tuition fees, food, clothing, and access to healthcare, among other services, so that a child living in poverty has the opportunity to overcome the barriers that keep them from attending school, getting an education, and succeeding in life.

2. What is the role of A sponsor?

A sponsor’s friendship and encouragement are priceless to a child in such circumstances. Indeed, many children value the relationships they establish with their sponsors as much as they value the financial support they receive from them. There is an opportunity to build a relationship between sponsor and child that can be quite profound.

3. How long can I sponsor a child in the United States?

Many children value the relationships they establish with their sponsors as much as they value the financial support they receive from them. There is an opportunity to build a relationship between sponsor and child that can be quite profound.

Typically, sponsorship lasts until a child turns eighteen years old, graduates from high school, or moves out of our service area. Due to the transient state of many families and the difficult circumstances of the regions where they reside, we cannot predict or guarantee how long a child will remain in our sponsorship program, although every effort is made to provide services to children for as long as possible.

When a child leaves the sponsorship program, another child is selected for you to sponsor that is equally in need, in the hope that you will accept the new sponsorship.

4. Who implements or administers the child sponsorship program?

Our program is implemented by on-site volunteer coordinators who are typically administrators at the sites with which we affiliate. Our coordinators have direct access to the children they serve at their schools, homes, orphanages, or community centers — and sometimes even on a daily basis. As such, they are familiar with the immediate needs and family circumstances of each individual child in their care.

5. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPONSOR A CHILD In the United States?

With Children Incorporated, it costs $35 a month to sponsor a child living in poverty. Our sponsorship amount is lower than other sponsorship organizations because we work with volunteer coordinators around the world, which helps us keep our costs low while also maximizing the amount of money we are able to send to the children in our sponsorship program.

6. WILL MY SPONSORSHIP HELP A CHILD GO TO SCHOOL OR HELP WITH THEIR EDUCATION IN africa?

Yes! Absolutely — you sponsorship will help a child go to school or help with their education. Children Incorporated provides basic necessities such as food, clothing, healthcare and educational support to children living in poverty in the U.S. and abroad. These essentials, so often taken for granted, are vital to a child’s growth and success in school. Each year, we give thousands of children in need all over the world a chance at a better life by supporting their education.

7. ARE THERE NON-RELIGIOUS SPONSORSHIP ORGANIZATIONS?

Yes. Children Incorporated is a non-religious sponsorship organization. Children Incorporated is an independent charity. We have no religious or political affiliation. Our goal is to assist as many children living in poverty as possible, and we respect each child’s religious and cultural heritage.

8. Who most directly benefits from my financial support?

When you sponsor a child, the beneficiary of your support is your individual sponsored child. The families of children in our sponsorship program receive additional or indirect benefits from their child’s sponsorship, but our focus is the one child. Sponsorship is intended to address the unique and individual needs of each child so that his or her specific needs are addressed.

The child-focused approach to fighting poverty is distinctly different from the broader community development approach. By changing the life of one child, you are giving him or her the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty, which can eventually lead to the transformation of an entire community — and even a nation.

9. WILL I RECEIVE UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT MY SPONSORED CHILD the United States?

Yes. You will receive updated information and an updated photo, although the frequency may vary depending upon the child’s location. The typical progress report includes information about the child’s grade level in school, hobbies, and interests.

10. May I send packages to my sponsored child in the United States?

Due to high customs duties and the likelihood of loss, it is not recommended that you send packages to sites outside of the United States, as their receipt cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to send an additional gift, it is recommended that you send a monetary gift to our headquarters in North Chesterfield, Virginia.

11. May I write to the child I sponsor?

Yes! Corresponding with your sponsored child can be a delightful experience. Your sponsored child is encouraged to write to you as well.

12. What should I write about?

The children enjoy learning about the lives of their sponsors. Writing about your own family (children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, etc.) is always a good place to start. The children also like to learn about your part of the world, what you do for a living, your hobbies and interests, and about any pets you may have.

13. Is it possible to visit my sponsored child in the United States?

It is possible to visit sponsored children; however, it is not guaranteed that all of the sites with which we affiliate are open to sponsor visits. Circumstances vary from area to area. Contact our office to find out if a visit is possible

14. Are there reviews of child sponsorship organizations?

Yes. Before you choose an organization with which to sponsor a child, we highly recommend that you visit these websites to gain a better understanding of charity backgrounds and performances: Charity Navigator, GuideStar, Give.org and Charity Watch.

Children Incorporated is very proud of our reputation and reviews that recognize the work we are doing for children. Visit the following links to see our ratings:

15. What are the best child sponsorship organizations for sponsoring a child in the United States?

Well, we are obviously a little biased about this question; but as we mentioned above, we highly recommend that you visit the various websites that provide assessments and ratings of nonprofit organizations before you make any donations. We believe that Children Incorporated is the best child sponsorship organization.

16. What are the pros and cons of sponsoring a child?

The pros: you get to make a fundamental difference in the life of a child in need, and the effects of your sponsorship can last a lifetime. There are no real cons to sponsoring a child, but as you follow the progress of your sponsored child, you may at times feel that you wish you could do more.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child in Africa or elsewhere, please click here to get started.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | August 17, 2023En Español

A few months ago, I had the privilege of getting to meet our volunteer coordinator, Katalina, from Cardinal Elementary School in Richmond, Virginia. Katalina, like so many of our volunteer coordinators around the world, feels strongly about the value of our sponsorship program, mostly because she grew up in a family that had to work to make ends meet and didn’t always have access to basic needs. For her, helping kids at her school has a personal meaning, and she is endlessly grateful for the support of Children Incorporated sponsors.

Today, we hear from Katalina, who wrote us a letter to thank all of our supporters for what she is able to provide to the children at Cardinal Elementary School, all thanks to their donations.

“The families served by Children Incorporated are so grateful, as I am, for the comfort it brings to these children.”

A letter from Katalina

“This is the second year I have had the opportunity to partner with Children Incorporated through their affiliation with Communities in School at Cardinal Elementary School. I am so amazed and thankful for the difference they make in the lives of children.”

“This school year, I had 24 children enrolled in the Children Incorporated sponsorship program, and the impact has been incredible. Each of the children received items they otherwise would not be able to buy. I also had two families this year that were recipients of Hope In Action Funds. The first family, which has two children sponsored, was struggling after a job loss and their lights had been cut off. Children Incorporated was able to step in and help pay their electric bill just in time for the cold winter months as they worked hard to get back on their feet.”

Helping when emergencies strike

“The second family experienced a devastating house fire that destroyed everything. The family’s three girls, who were also in the sponsorship program, were overjoyed to get not only clothes, but educational toys and arts and craft supplies. I had the joy of dropping these items at their new home, and it felt like Christmas morning to them. The girls were going through the bags so excitedly, as they smiled seeing new books and other gifts. The parents were really excited that they received workbooks to help them with their reading and math skills.”

“The other children in the program received a great deal of support as well. They were able to get new clothes at the beginning of each new season, so they stayed warm in the winter and were able to adjust when the weather got hot again in the spring.”

“Having appropriate clothing is something that we often take for granted, but for these children, clothing is hard to come by, and it is difficult to concentrate and learn if you are cold or too hot. The children get so excited about the new clothes and shoes they receive, and it never fails that many come to me and show off their outfits when they wear their new items to school.”

Making birthdays and holidays special

“In addition to the monthly gifts which help so much, several sponsors give additional extra funds to the children for the holidays or for birthdays. These extra funds made such an impact. In every instance, I met with the child and explained that they had received some extra funds from their sponsor and told them what they could spend it on. Then I would get their direct input on what they wanted, and we would shop online for the gifts. This brings the children so much joy – one little girl, Megan, asked for roller blades for Christmas, and when I brought them to her home, she immediately put them on and started skating around.”

“In addition to the monthly gifts which help so much, several sponsors give additional extra funds to the children for the holidays or for birthdays. These extra funds made such an impact.”

“Another child, Mark, really wanted a Lego set — the expression on his face when receiving it was indescribable. He began to cry with happiness, and his mom was overwhelmed with gratitude. I only wish the sponsors themselves could see first-hand how they are changing the lives of these children. I am honored to be able to be a part of this program throughout the year.”

“Most of the families at my school are of very low socioeconomic status, and as a result, their children don’t always get what they need. The children are also growing so fast it’s hard for parents to keep up with well-fitting clothing and shoes. The families served by Children Incorporated are so grateful, as I am, for the comfort it brings to these children.”

***

HOW DO I SPONSOR A CHILD WITH CHILDREN INCORPORATED?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | August 16, 2023

Here at Children Incorporated, we know that sponsoring a child in need is extraordinarily rewarding, so we want to provide you with a guide to walk you through the process.

In order to make your decision as easy as possible, here you will find the answers to sixteen of the most common questions we receive about sponsoring a child in the Middle East.

If you still have questions after reading the following, please feel to contact us, and we will be happy to help.

1. What is sponsorship?

2. What is the role of A sponsor?

3. How long can I sponsor a child in the middle east?

Many children value the relationships they establish with their sponsors as much as they value the financial support they receive from them. There is an opportunity to build a relationship between sponsor and child that can be quite profound.

When a child leaves the sponsorship program, another child is selected for you to sponsor that is equally in need, in the hope that you will accept the new sponsorship.

4. Who implements or administers the child sponsorship program?

5. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPONSOR A CHILD In the middle east?

6. WILL MY SPONSORSHIP HELP A CHILD GO TO SCHOOL OR HELP WITH THEIR EDUCATION IN the middle east?

7. ARE THERE NON-RELIGIOUS SPONSORSHIP ORGANIZATIONS?

8. Who most directly benefits from my financial support?

9. WILL I RECEIVE UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT MY SPONSORED CHILD IN the middle east?

10. May I send packages to my sponsored child in the middle east?

11. May I write to the child I sponsor?

Yes! Corresponding with your sponsored child can be a delightful experience. Your sponsored child is encouraged to write to you as well.

12. What should I write about?

13. Is it possible to visit my sponsored child in the middle east?

14. Are there reviews of child sponsorship organizations?

Children Incorporated is very proud of our reputation and reviews that recognize the work we are doing for children. Visit the following links to see our ratings:

15. What are the best child sponsorship organizations for sponsoring a child in the middle east?

16. What are the pros and cons of sponsoring a child?

If you are interested in sponsoring a child in the Middle East or elsewhere, please click here to get started.

SPONSOR A CHILD