Tag Archives: children

Rachel Luginbuhl |

When a child is sponsored, they can count on consistent support for their most pressing needs. This stability ensures that meals, clothing, and school supplies are not just occasional gifts, but ongoing resources they can rely on. With that security, children are able to focus on their education and personal growth, opening doors to a brighter future.

Spring has Sprung around the world

In the U.S., springtime means spring break, SOLs, final exams, and eager anticipation for summer break.  In India, it means the end of the school year, with students leaving their boarding schools to return home until classes resume in June. In Kenya, springtime means hotter weather and the need for new, seasonal clothing. Regardless of the region, circumstances, or stage of life our enrolled children may find themselves in, we are there to meet their needs!

Through grants from our Hope In Action Fund, students at Dornakal School in India received suitcases to transport their belongings home for school break as well as mosquito nets to help keep them safe there.

 

March marks the beginning of the school year in Brazil, and, thanks to our sponsors’ and donors’ unwavering support, we were able to provide students at Recanto School with new shoes and backpacks to start the year off strong.

 

In Kenya, boys at the Junior School in Dandora received new, weather-appropriate clothing thanks to a sponsor’s generous Community Needs Gift.

Book fair Fever

CI students at John’s Creek Elementary were able to participate in the Book Fair thanks to their CI sponsors! Our coordinator, Anita, snapped photos of the students proudly holding their new books.

Unsponsored Child Highlight

One of our volunteer coordinators sent us a heartfelt appeal for a student who currently needs the benefit of sponsorship:

“Jonathan” is one of our currently unsponsored students but we didn’t want to leave him out of the free book from the book fair this week! He is one of our flood survivors from 2021 & is being raised by a single grandfather along with his older brother who will be graduating high school this year. Jonathan is in 7th grade this year & has recently found his place among the AG students, he is willing to help out anytime that I ever need him as well. He is already part of a weekend food bag program but with sponsorship funds we will be able to help fund some education field trips over the next few years, get some more clothing off his wishlist & hopefully so much more!

Should you be the one to help Jonathan succeed, give us a call at 1-800-538-5381 or send us an email at sponsorship@children-inc.org.

*child’s name is changed for security purposes

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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 a real person in our sponsorship department
  • email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org
  • go online to our sponsorship portal and search for a child that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Rachel Luginbuhl |

Around the world, millions of children spend years preparing for a single moment: a government-mandated exam that can determine whether they move forward in school, gain access to higher education, or step into a future filled with opportunity. In countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, India, and across parts of South America, these exams are more than academic milestones. They are turning points.

For some children, they open doors. For others, they quietly close them. The difference is often not intelligence or potential.

It’s access.

When One Test Shapes a Future

The United States often offers students multiple chances to grow, recover from setbacks, and keep moving forward. In many education systems across Africa, Asia, and South America, however, a single score can determine whether a child is allowed to continue in school at all. 

When we understand how much rests on one exam, we begin to see just how powerful it can be to stand beside a child with tutoring, teacher training, and school support—turning a single test from a dead end into a doorway of possibility.

Understanding the Systems Behind the Test

In Ethiopia, students encounter two major national exams that shape their future. At the end of Grade 10, one exam determines whether they can continue on an academic path. At Grade 12, another determines whether university is even available to them. These exams, administered by the National Educational Assessment and Examination Agency, carry enormous weight. One score can determine whether their education continues or ends.

In Kenya, the system is evolving. For years, students relied on exams like the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education to determine their path forward. Today, the country is transitioning to a new model with assessments like the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment, designed to evaluate progress over time. Even so, performance still plays a major role in shaping opportunity.

In India, students move through a series of high-stakes exams, including national board exams and competitive entrance tests like the Joint Entrance Examination and the National Eligibility Entrance Test. With millions of students competing for limited university placements, these exams are among the most competitive in the world, directly impacting the ability to even apply.

In Brazil and Chile, national exams such as the Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio and the Prueba de Acceso a la Educación Superior serve as the primary gateway to higher education.

While each system is different, the reality is the same: at key moments, a child’s future is determined by how well they perform on an exam.

Reality Behind the Scores

These exams are designed to measure what a child has learned, but they often reflect much more than that. For children growing up in poverty, preparing for these exams means navigating obstacles far beyond the classroom. Some study without electricity, and others attend overcrowded schools with limited materials. Many go to school hungry, making it difficult to focus or retain information. After school, responsibilities at home often take priority over time to study. By the time exam day arrives, students are not just being tested on what they have learned, they are being tested on everything they have had to overcome.

Meet Daniel*

Daniel is 14 years old and working toward one of the most important exam of his life, one that determines his ability to attend university and eventually make a living wage.

A strong student who loves mathematics, his teachers see real potential in him. But like many children, his path has not been easy. There have been days he’s gone to school without the supplies he needed. Evenings when studying had to wait because his family needed him to work. Moments where hunger made it difficult to concentrate.

Daniel’s future was never limited by his ability, it was limited by his circumstances.

Where Sponsorship Changes the Story

Thankfully, in Daniel’s case, sponsorship shifted  his chances. When Daniel was connected with a sponsor through Children Incorporated, he gained access to the support he needed to prepare. He received school supplies that allowed him to participate fully in class. With consistent meals, he enjoyed  focus and the energy to learn. He gained stability and encouragement—two things that quietly, but powerfully, build confidence over time. These changes made the difference between walking into an exam unprepared and walking in confident and ready.

More Than a Test

For students like Daniel, passing an exam is not just about a score, it’s about the opportunity to continue.When one exam can unlock that kind of opportunity, it has the power to change the direction not only of a child’s life, but of their family’s future for generations to come.

Why Your Support Matters

When you sponsor a child, you help remove the barriers that stand between a child and their potential. You are helping to ensure that when they sit down to take that exam, they are not carrying the weight of hunger, lack of resources, or instability with them.

Through sponsorship, you can create a moment where a student’s hard work has a real chance to shine. Because in a world where one test determines a future, preparation changes everything. Preparation is exactly what your support makes possible. Some look at these exams and see a final result. For a child who is given the chance to succeed, that moment is not an ending.

It’s a beginning

**name changed for privacy

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These stories reveal just a glimpse of your support’s impact. Will you help us write the next story?

You can sponsor a child in one of three ways:

  • Click Here to go online to visit our sponsorship portal and search for a child that is available for sponsorship
  • call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with a real person in our sponsorship department
  • email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org

SPONSOR A CHILD

Rachel Luginbuhl |

When a child is sponsored, they can count on consistent support for their most pressing needs. This stability ensures that meals, clothing, and school supplies are not just occasional gifts, but ongoing resources they can rely on. With that security, children are able to focus on their education and personal growth, opening doors to a brighter future.

Thank you from the children

We love seeing our donors’ generosity at work – and wanted to share recent examples of how your monthly contributions improve the lives of the children in our program. While needs vary from region to region and from child to child, the sentiment is always the same: you as a sponsor have the power to change a child’s life.
Thank you for all your kindness to the children we serve!

Positive improvements at Kids Hope Ethiopia

The garden at Kids Hope has received a new planting of sweet potatoes, as well as other vegetables that will grow through the summer for harvest this fall. This project stands as a positive move towards food independence at the school, every year they plant what can be used to directly help feed all the students enrolled. Currently they have begun harvesting their crop of teff flour – a native flour used in many Ethiopian dishes. Your Hope In Action donations go directly to the maintenance and improvements of community gardens, thank you for bringing nutrition and independence to the students at Kids Hope

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We also saw students receiving a distribution of new uniforms as well as hygiene items. We know the gift of sponsorship means students don’t have to worry about these small barriers and can better focus on learning.

update from lebanon

The current unrest in Lebanon has directly affected the schools we are affiliated with in the country. Due to the instability and dangerous nature of travel, all children who were living at the Father Andeweg Institute for the Deaf have been sent home and all children who visit the school on a daily basis have been told not to come. Unfortunately, this means our coordinators do not have consistent communication with the children and their families. We are monitoring the situation and will update as news becomes available. If you are currently sponsoring a child at one of these affiliated sites in Lebanon and have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at sponsorship@children-inc.org or 1-800-538-5381.

unsponsored child highlight

 


Five-year-old Sydney* just began school and couldn’t be more excited to follow in her big sister’s footsteps. Her teacher describes her as funny, energetic, and full of curiosity.

Becoming Sydney’s sponsor means you can help her start this important chapter with confidence and the tools to succeed in school.

*child’s name is changed for security purposes

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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 a real person in our sponsorship department
  • email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org
  • go online to our sponsorship portal and search for a child that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Rachel Luginbuhl |

When a child is sponsored, they can count on consistent support for their most pressing needs. This stability ensures that meals, clothing, and school supplies are not just occasional gifts, but ongoing resources they can rely on. With that security, children are able to focus on their education and personal growth, opening doors to a brighter future.

COMFORT AT BEDTIME, CONFIDENCE FOR TOMORROW

Since 2008 we have partnered with Beyond Bedtime (formerly known as Pajama Program) to strengthen the lives of children by providing pajamas for their rest and routine – key elements of a child’s physical, emotional, and academic well‐being.

This year, Beyond Bedtime partnered us with a local church, who went above and beyond in ensuring that our sponsored children here in Richmond could receive pajamas. In the past weeks we were able to deliver over 300 pairs of pajamas to location children, including those who do not currently have sponsors and would not have received any assistance otherwise.

This recent pajama delivery is a reminder of what’s possible when organizations come together with a shared purpose. We are thankful for Beyond Bedtime’s continued generosity and commitment to children in need, and we are proud of the impact our collaboration has made, and will continue to make, in the lives of the children we serve.

more than just lunch

At our affiliated site in the Philippines, students at the Fortune Center were given a special treat during their monthly food distribution – a fun meal delivered for lunch! Moments like this provide not just basic needs but a sense of inclusion and normalcy. When we get to see smiles on the faces of our sponsored children, and see them have chances to truly experience positive occasions, it reminds us why sponsorship is so very important. When children feel normal they are able to more positively approach life’s challenges and achieve better academic performance in school.

The importance of food

Students at Gattorno School in Bolivia received some very special food packages this month. Their faces say it all, each smile is brought about because of their amazing sponsors.

unsponsored child highlight

Eithan lives in Puerto Rico and is waiting for his sponsor. Currently in preschool, he loves to read and watch cartoons. His mother is employed, but holds a job that can not support the two of them. A sponsor will mean Eithan has everything he needs including food, clothing, and school supplies, so staying in class will never be a worry.

 

 

 

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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 a real person in our sponsorship department
  • email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org
  • go online to our sponsorship portal and search for a child that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Rachel Luginbuhl |

Sleep is seen not just for rest, but as a real superpower that fuels learning, well-being, confidence, and connection. That is the core behind Beyond Bedtime, a non-profit that regularly partners with us at Children Incorporated. Children living in poverty and unsettled housing situations many times forgo sleep for safety. This affects their education, development, and overall well-being. On top of working to make sure they have basic needs, Children Incorporated strives to make sure more than just the basics can be provided. We do that with the help of dedicated partners, like Beyond Bedtime. Together we can make the world better for the children living in it.

How they Began

Beyond Bedtime, originally called The Pajama Program, was founded in 2001, and began with a simple but profound idea: every child deserves comfort and care at bedtime. What started as a simple act of collecting pajamas from friends and family grew into a national organization focused on sleep health, emotional well‑being, and healthy nighttime routines.

Today, Beyond Bedtime works with schools, shelters, foster care agencies, and nonprofit partners across the country to ensure children not only receive pajamas and books, but also the support and education needed to build positive bedtime habits that contribute to long‑term success. They are not just giving pajamas, but helping children, caregivers, and educators learn about healthy bedtime routines and sleep habits.

In 2025, the organization officially rebranded as Beyond Bedtime to better capture its broader mission: combining bedtime essentials and tools for nurturing healthy sleep for long-term well-being.

Why Pajamas Matter

Something as simple as a new pair of pajamas can make a meaningful difference. For children experiencing hardship, pajamas can:

  • Create a sense of normalcy and routine
  • Support better sleep and focus in school
  • Help children feel valued and cared for
  • Ease stress for families already facing difficult circumstances

When children sleep better, they are better equipped to learn, grow, and thrive.

A History of Working Together

Children Incorporated has been grateful to collaborate with Beyond Bedtime over the years. In 2008 the Pajama Program reached out to our the CEO Ron Carter to see how their program could help children enrolled in our program. At that time, donations were coming directly from the Pajama Program, but as they grew they began partnering with other groups to meet the ever growing need. For the last 17 years we have received donations not just from them, but from local churches, run clubs, PTA drives, and many other sources, all because of this amazing partnership. These donations are still helping families meet basic needs while reinforcing the importance of consistency, comfort, and care at home.

While Children Incorporated focuses on providing children with resources such as food, clothing, shelter, and education, Beyond Bedtime strengthens that foundation by supporting rest and routine—key elements of a child’s physical, emotional, and academic well‑being. And the past several years have been a wonderful testament to their mission. Working to ensure our sponsored children had opportunities this year they partnered us with a local church who in turn abundantly provided for local Richmond children. In the past week we were able to deliver over 300 pairs of pajamas to location children, some of which do not currently have sponsors and would not have received any assistance otherwise.

Looking Ahead

This recent pajama delivery is a reminder of what’s possible when organizations come together with a shared purpose. We are thankful for Beyond Bedtime’s continued generosity and commitment to children in need, and we are proud of the impact our collaboration has made—and will continue to make—in the lives of the children we serve.

Together, we’re helping children rest easier tonight so they can dream bigger tomorrow.

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These stories reveal just a glimpse of your support’s impact. Will you help us write the next story?

 

You can sponsor a child in one of three ways:

  • Click Here to go online to visit our sponsorship portal and search for a child that is available for sponsorship
  • call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with a real person in our sponsorship department
  • email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org

SPONSOR A CHILD

Rachel Luginbuhl |

Welcome 2026!

We have had such a wonderful time seeing all the letters, cards, and photos that students sent during the holiday season and throughout the year, and we want to share some of the highlights from 2025.

​In November we sent $25 for every child enrolled in Children Incorporated, in a direct effort to combat the increase in food insecurity. The responses were overwhelming, and the hard work of our volunteer coordinators ensured the resources were used to their fullest potential.

Throughout the year we saw gardens growing, birthdays celebrated, food distributed, and children all around the world being provided with what they need to succeed.

When a child has shoes, food, encouragement, and supplies, they have less barriers, and are better able to thrive at school. It is because of each and every one of you.

Thank you from Children Incorporated, you are changing these children’s lives!

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Josh is still waiting for a sponsor and needs someone to help make his school year a success. He is friendly and happy, and would love to just spend his time outside or helping others. At home with his family he makes sure to keep his room clean, and although he is the youngest of his siblings, Josh makes sure to be as helpful as he can.

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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 a real person in our sponsorship department
  • email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org
  • go online to our sponsorship portal and search for a child that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD