Tag Archives: sponsor

Shelley Callahan | December 22, 2024En Español

As Luis Bourdet finishes his visits to our affiliated sites in India, he travels to Bangalore to the Parikrma Home. Here, standard educational practices are combined with Montessori school practices, and the overall success rate of students is incredibly high.

Visiting Parikrma

“I arrived in Bangalore, a city full of trees and gardens, and perhaps the city with the most order when driving that I had been to in India on this trip. Driving is truly chaotic and challenging in India for those who have not traveled there. Most people walk on the streets, and thousands of bikes and mopeds move without any order. Even animals are common on most boulevards and streets within the city limits,” said Luis.

“The school has a very efficient format for learning and a success rate of graduation above 95%, which is much better than the national average of 8-24%.”

“Our affiliated site, the Parikrma Foundation, operates in this city. They have four schools (Kindergarten-12th grade) within slum areas of the town and a Junior College (a school preparing students for skill training programs and professional university careers). The system of education they utilize in those schools is very distinct, unique, and compelling. It combines Montessori and the typical Indian public school system curriculum. The school has a very efficient format for learning and a success rate of graduation above 95%, which is much better than the national average of 8-24%. Most students come from slum areas and, therefore, are migrants from different states, for which the Foundation implemented all English education. This favors their students, as most higher education is done in English.”

Remarkable Schools for Children in Need

“The system was introduced to some public schools in the area after great success with the support of the local government. The children I met were very confident and well-educated. Although they keep some common Indian customs, primarily due to space, of sitting children on the floors during the early years of school, older children have desks.”

“The school has modern equipment in labs, video communication for class interactions, and classes taught for mental, physical, emotional, and psychological development. They also teach the children to support the community through opportunities like cleaning the little lake in the neighborhood, protecting street dogs, supporting issues at slums, and assisting other people in need,” said Luis.

Our sponsorS helping

“These schools are truly remarkable. Children in India do not usually interact with adults, but not at Parikrma. During my visit, children were assigned to take me through the facilities and coordinate presentations. I learned during my time that families could not afford to take the children to school daily, or they may live too far from the school, so they solicit that their child live in the hostel, and our sponsors really help with the children having their basic needs met at the hostel.”

“The sponsor support ensures that children boarding at the hostel have food, hygiene items, school supplies, and sufficient bedding. The children appreciate this opportunity because they live under challenging circumstances with their own family and in a slum area, where housing is under standards and very poor,” said Luis.

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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 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 in that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | December 8, 2024

As he continues visiting our affiliated sites in India, Luis Bourdet, our Director of International Programs, meets with our volunteer coordinator at the J. Calvitt Clarke Home, who discusses how our sponsors are helping to keep young children from having to work instead of getting an education.

“The children come from rural communities around the area, but they may not have a school available near their villages. Therefore, they come to Dornakal for education.”

About the J. Calvitt Clarke Home

“The town of Dornakal, located about 100 miles east of Hyderabad in the southeastern Indian state of Telangana, is a region where poverty is extensive, especially in years when droughts destroy the rice harvest,” said Luis.

“Since so many families cannot adequately provide for their children’s education or basic needs, our affiliated site, J. Calvitt Clarke Home, serves as a beacon of hope. The home serves impoverished children in this region while also investing in their futures.”

“I visited the J. Calvitt Clarke Home this past summer, which is one of the oldest facilities in the Dornakal Diocese. I met with our new coordinator, Mr. Prabhakar, who told me about how the home provides boarding and school support to a little less than 40 children. The children come from rural communities around the area where they may not have a school available near their villages. Therefore, they come to Dornakal to board full-time during the school year and receive an education,” explained Luis.

How sponsors are making a difference

“The students at J. Calvitt have a busy schedule during the day, just as in the other homes I had visited during my time in India. The children are fed early in the morning and then sent to school. After school, they have a short time for recreation; then, it is time for homework. This hostel is for boys, and they are happy to be able to get an education, as most parents work in the fields, and the children would be there helping if not for being here and attending school.”

“All basic needs for the children are covered through the Children Incorporated program sponsor support. I did notice that the facilities need some improvement, as the dorm is large and could accommodate more children, but they would need more support to grow their attendance. The dorm was updated with the help of Children Incorporated some years ago, but without any maintenance, it needs upgrades, painting, and repairs in some areas. It has a large U-shaped main building, with a locker room and toilets at each end of the building and the dorm and homework room in the middle. The dining hall building is also used for homework,” said Luis.

“Regardless of the need for repairs, the boys are very happy in the home, and the support they receive from their sponsors is immense. I truly believe that our sponsors are the reason these deserving children are able to go to school and develop into educated young men.”

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | November 24, 2024

As part of our monthly Impact Report, we want to share with you a letter from our volunteer coordinator, Ashley, at Blackwell Elementary School in Virginia. She wrote to thank all our sponsors for their endless support of children in need, which gives her peace of mind throughout the year.

“I sincerely appreciate the unwavering support provided by the Children Incorporated program. The transformative effect it has had on the lives of our students and their families is immeasurable.”

Ashley’s Letter

“I want to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible program you have spearheaded. The assistance provided by Children Incorporated funds has been instrumental in ensuring that enrolled children have access to essential resources, enabling them to embark on a successful academic journey. From school supplies to clothing and footwear, the support has been wonderful, alleviating the financial burden on families and allowing children to start the school year on the right foot. The impact has been profound, with parents expressing immense relief and gratitude for the assistance rendered.

The benefits of the Children Incorporated program extend beyond mere material support. Through initiatives such as special birthday gifts, spring break kits, and emergency grocery orders, children have experienced moments of joy, stability, and community connection.

Several Children Incorporated-enrolled children have made notable strides in attendance and social and emotional learning, owing in part to the nurturing environment and access to resources facilitated by the program. Whether it be a new book, school supplies, or a fresh outfit, these provisions have contributed to our students’ overall well-being and academic success. I sincerely appreciate the unwavering support provided by the Children Incorporated program. The transformative effect it has had on the lives of our students and their families is immeasurable.”

Sincerely,
Ashley

your impact through hope in action

Sponsorship is one of many ways you, our loyal supporters, help impoverished children every month. Additionally, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and donors who have made contributions to our Hope In Action Fund in the last month, we have been able to:

– Provide funding to purchase urgently needed warm clothing for students at Mabel Elementary School in North Carolina
– Provide funds to purchase school supplies for new students at Mabel Elementary School in North Carolina
– Provide funds to purchase nutritious meals for 30 students at the Dandora Center in Kenya for one month
– Provide funds to purchase daily meals for 100 students at the St. John’s Community Center in Kenya for one month
– Provide funds to purchase nutritious meals for 25 students at Kids’ Hope in Ethiopia for one month
– Provide funding to purchase nutritious meals for 25 students for one month at the Fortune Children’s Center in the Philippines
– Provide funds to support the construction of a new community building at the Visayans Center in the Philippines
– Provide funds to purchase beds and linens for students at Cannonsburg Elementary School in Kentucky
– Provide funds to purchase a stove for the family of two sponsored children at Sebastian Elementary School in Kentucky
– Provide funding to purchase uniforms for students at Arthur Ashe Charter School in Louisiana

…and so much more! Thank you to our supporters for all that you do! We couldn’t do our life-changing work without you.

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | November 24, 2024

Child sponsorship involves pairing a supporting donor with a child in need. The donor (who we refer to as the sponsor) donates monthly to support their sponsored children with basic needs such as food, clothing, hygiene items, and educational assistance such as tuition or school supplies.

When a family doesn’t have to worry about a child’s basic needs being met, they can concentrate on working towards improving their situation, which is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty.

Child sponsorship is one of the most effective ways to help end child poverty. For $35 a month, you not only meet the child’s most immediate basic needs but also provide them with an education that will allow them to pursue higher education or obtain employment in the future.

The sponsorship relationship enables a sponsor to help support an impoverished child through monthly contributions and the exchange of correspondence with the sponsored child if the sponsor so desires. 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 appreciate the financial support they receive from them. There is also an opportunity to build a profound relationship between a sponsor and a child.

How sponsorship directly benefits children, families and communities

Sponsorship provides a child with basic and education-related necessities such as food, clothing, healthcare, school supplies, and tuition payments. This vital support allows children living in poverty to develop to their full potential — physically, emotionally, and socially. Our policy is to consider each sponsored child’s needs individually. Our volunteer coordinators personally shop for the children enrolled in our program and choose items based on each child’s personal circumstances and needs.

Additionally, because the support for the child is financial, families greatly benefit from the sponsorship of one of their children or multiple children. When a family doesn’t have to worry about a child’s basic needs being met, they can concentrate on working towards improving their situation, which is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty. Furthermore, child sponsorship helps children to grow into responsible, educated adults who are able to contribute to their own communities. Many of our sponsored children who grew up in the Children Incorporated program have become social workers, principals, teachers, doctors, and other professionals.

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | November 4, 2024En Español

When I was told that I would accompany the President and CEO of Children Incorporated, Ron Carter, on his first visit to Mexico with our organization, I was beyond excited. It would be my third time seeing our affiliated sites in this magnificent country, but I knew that seeing it with Ron would be a whole new experience and one that I looked forward to immensely.

More specifically, the sites in Mexico are unique because these children otherwise don’t have stable homes for various reasons, and that is why the help our sites offer to children and families is so crucial.

In preparation for our trip, Ron and I spoke at length about what we might expect based on my last visit. As our departure date grew closer, so did my excitement for what Ron was going to see for the first time.

The uniqueness of Mexico

Although I have a fondness for so many of our affiliated sites that I have had the privilege of visiting, our Mexico sites stand out in a very special way. Each of them is run by representatives of the Catholic Church, which is common in Central and South America, as well as in India. Each site is also a home where children board during the week or year-round so they can receive the support they need. More specifically, the sites in Mexico are unique because these children otherwise don’t have stable homes for various reasons, and that is why the help they offer to children and families is so crucial, and it really pulls at my heartstrings.

After a long day of traveling from our office in Virginia to Mexico City, Ron and I, along with our International Programs Specialist, Yefiny, met bright and early with our volunteer coordinator, Beatrice, and her assistant, Monica, in the lobby of our hotel. Monica was newer to the home, and Beatrice had been there for a few years. They both cheerfully expressed how much they enjoyed their time at Santa Ines caring for the girls who lived there during the week.

Visiting Santa Ines

We made our way outside to a taxi, and just a short ten-minute drive later, we arrived at the neighborhood of Coyoacán, known in Mexico City as the home of the Frieda Kahlo Museum and our affiliated site.

The taxi stopped a few blocks short of the home, and we made our way down the cobblestone streets to the grand entrance of Santa Ines, a large wooden door with a smaller one inside of it, directly across the street from a lively church. Beatrice unlocked the small door, and we entered to find a few of the children and their mothers waiting for us already! As it was Sunday, it was typically the day the children returned to Santa Ines after being home on the weekends, and they weren’t usually scheduled to arrive until 5 p.m. Today was different because of our visit, and the girls came to Santa Ines earlier than usual to meet us.

After greeting the children, we took a tour of the facility, first seeing the kitchen and dining room. Monica told us that the girls’ breakfast starts at 6:30 a.m., and then the sisters walk them to the local public schools by 8 a.m., when classes begin.

Learning more about the home

The schools are only 5 minutes away, so, as Monica explained, the girls also come back to the home for lunch and then go back to school in the afternoons for sports and gardening lessons before their day ends at 6 p.m., and they once again return to Santa Ines for dinner at 6:30. Then, the girls work on their homework and bedtime is at 8:30 sharp.

Monica told us that even for the smaller girls, as young as 6 years old, the tight schedule was important to their development, and they all really enjoyed being busy, especially since it meant the girls all got to be together all day and through the night.

The girls seemed overjoyed to be back together after a weekend away with their mothers, and it was apparent they felt that the other girls at the home were like sisters to them.

Next, we visited the dorms where the girls slept and stored their belongings. Monica told us that the older girls, ages 10 to 12, have a separate dorm from the younger girls, and they were all expected to keep their rooms tidy as part of their daily chores. With a capacity to host 30 girls at a time, the home only had 18 girls at the moment, which Monica explained as being due to the fact that the Mexican government determines how many girls are in attendance.

The single mothers whose children stay at the home go through an interview process, and there are rules for qualification – the mothers need to be employed even though they are not expected to pay for the children to stay at Santa Ines – the government pays the fees – but it is required that the mothers prove they really need the help based on their incomes as well as need for childcare during the work week.

As we exited the dorms, we saw that many more of the children had started to arrive, and we had a chance to interact with them in the courtyard as they played games, rode bikes, and swung on the playset. The girls seemed overjoyed to be back together after a weekend away with their mothers, and it was apparent they felt like sisters to one another.

Getting to know the girls

As Monica, Yefiny, and Ron made their way to the administrative offices to have a meeting, I stayed behind to visit with the girls, and we quickly invented a game that I deemed “Como Se Dice?” which involved the girls pointing to objects around the courtyard and asking me how to say them in English. It was endless fun and made me feel quite smart that I could answer all of their questions and, therefore, win the game!

I already knew from my previous visits just how important our sponsorship program was to the girls at Santa Ines — with only limited support from the government, it was crucial that Monica and Beatrice received funds from our sponsors to purchase food, school supplies, clothing and hygiene items for the girls at the home. And for the girls, who might not otherwise receive these items from their mothers who are working hard to make ends meet, knowing Children Incorporated could fill in this gap for them is so incredibly important to their overall well-being. And in the end, it gives their mothers peace of mind that their children are being taken care of even when life is difficult for them.

Saying our goodbyes

When Yefiny and Ron stepped out of their meeting and once again joined me in the courtyard, I could tell Ron was overwhelmed with gratitude for what Santa Ines was doing for these young ladies. He thanked Monica and Beatrice profusely for their kindness towards us and their dedication to helping the children they serve. Before we left, the girls sang a song to thank us for visiting with them, and we also thanked the girls for being such a special part of the lives of our sponsors as well.

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | October 28, 2024

One of the best ways to express the importance of our work — all thanks to our sponsors and donors — is by sharing letters from our volunteer coordinators worldwide. Linda, at Highland-Turner Elementary School in Kentucky, recently wrote to us to express her sincere gratitude for you, our amazing sponsors:

“These children who are now adults will never forget the kindness of strangers who decided to become sponsors and then friends.”

Linda’s Letter

“Your support for the students enrolled in the Children Incorporated sponsorship program means their basic needs, such as clothing, shoes, undergarments, and hygiene essentials, are met. The Children Incorporated program is not just financial aid; it’s a personal connection. The children eagerly anticipate your letters and gifts, cherishing the thoughtfulness behind each one. Your role as sponsors is so significant that students often stop me in the hallway to ask if they have received any mail from you.”

“Not long ago, while on a shopping trip for sponsored students, an employee at a major retail chain asked me, after I informed him that I was shopping for a program at our school, if this was for Children Incorporated. He then explained to me that he, too, had been a recipient of the Children Incorporated program and what a difference it made in his life.”

These children who are now adults will never forget the kindness of strangers who decided to become sponsors and then friends. This is what Children Incorporated is all about — making a difference and changing lives. Your generosity and kindness are the backbone of the sponsorship program, and we could not do this without you. Thank you to all the sponsors for going above and beyond to ensure our students are cared for!”

Sincerely,

Linda

your impact through hope in action

– Provide over $25,000 in donations to support families in North Carolina who are recovering after Hurricane Helene
– Provide funds to purchase nutritious meals for 30 students at Santa Isabel Ana Seton in Guatemala for one month
– Provide funds to purchase nutritious meals for 30 students at the Dandora Center in Kenya for one month
– Provide funds to purchase daily meals for 100 students at the St. John’s Community Center in Kenya for one month
– Provide funds to purchase nutritious meals for 25 students at Kids’ Hope in Ethiopia for one month
– Provide funding to purchase nutritious meals for 25 students at the Fortune Children’s Center in the Philippines
– Provide funds to pilot a Bike Program for students who struggle with attendance due to transportation issues at the Kayenta Community School in Arizona
– Provide funds to purchase pajamas for students who live in the dorm at the Shonto Preparatory School in Arizona
– Provide funds to purchase water bottles for students to use at water filling stations at Page High School in Arizona
– Providing funding to purchase new shoes and socks for students at Breathitt Elementary School in Kentucky

…and so much more! Thank you to our supporters for all that you do! We couldn’t do our life-changing work without you.

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD