Sponsorships
Information
and Stories
Help a Child Foundation
New Zealand
85 Kahuterawa Road
RD 4 Palmerston North 4474
New Zealand
P: 0064 6 356 8696
E: info@helpachild.co.nz
E: accounts@helpachild.co.nz
W: www.helpachild.co.nz
"The King will reply, "I tell you the
truth, whatever you did for one of
the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for me."
Matthew 25:40
Together we can Help a Child
Back to top of page
Help a Child New Zealand
have this opportunity. We transfer your monthly contribution to a local Christian partner organisation that takes
care of your sponsor child. Correspondence with your child is possible in some sponsorship options.
You receive a new photo each year and two letters from your sponsor child.
to pray for the children and the work of Help a Child, we are dependent on our Heavenly Father in all that we do.
particular circumstances. The social structures in which the child lives are respected as far as possible, except
when these structures give rise to injustice. The child’s social circumstances are improved. Help a Child works
out their objectives by encouraging its partner organisations to propose a coherent program that avoids having
children placed in residential centres as much as possible.
Only when all alternatives fail can a child be admitted to a residential centre as a refuge or last resort.
This policy is to ensure that only children who are orphaned, i.e. have lost both parents, or are in great danger
of being maltreated or abused are taken into homes. Youth accommodation utilised in combination with vocational
training is not subject to this restriction. In the coming years our admittance/enrolment procedures will be
reviewed and partners will be challenged to show that all alternatives failed for every child admitted under
residential care schemes.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Am I the only sponsor of the child?
2. Does such a relatively small amount really help?
3. What does the child receive when I sponsor?
4. Can I keep in contact with my sponsor child?
5. What about sending parcels, such as a birthday present, for my sponsor child?
7. What happens when a sponsorship program ends?
8. My sponsor child dropped out of the program. Why did that happen?
9. What happens when a sponsor child leaves the program?
1. Am I the only sponsor of the child?
For the agreed amount you take full responsibility for the child. It also possible to adopt a child together
with others, for example your family or bible study group.
2. Does such a relatively small amount really help?
The daily costs in third world countries are a lot lower then here in New Zealand and the people live in a very
simple way. Also the workers are working for a small amount. This is why children in those countries can be
helped with only a small amount. Also Help a Child is an organisation with very low administration costs.
Your money is used very effectively.
3. What does the child receive when I sponsor?
The children get attention, food and drinks, education, medical care and everything that’s necessary beside
that. Every child is unique and has his own gifts, and we try to develop these as much as possible.
After primary school the child continues to a higher education most of the time. The workers help the children
make a decision about this.
A good structure is very important for the development of a child. In the day centres and at the school
the children receive a lot of structure. This is also very important for the rest of their lives. The children have
to be able to function independently in the future, to provide their own income.
They support the children out of a Christian point of view. Children in family situations receive visits from local
workers. They decide what the needs of the children are. The workers are aware of the culture in which the
child is being raised. The child can stay in his or her own environment. As well – and most importantly – the
children receive Christian education at the schools and day centres.
4. Can I keep in contact with my sponsor child?
The children really enjoy receiving a card form their sponsor parent(s). They really appreciate a short letter in
English. When the child isn’t able to read in English, the workers will translate this for the child.
We hear often that a child writes the same things and doesn’t answer questions that are being asked.
It’s very difficult for the children to understand our way of living and to respond personally to the letters.
That’s why sometimes they write their letters in their class. Sometimes they just copy a letter from the teacher.
But please know that the children are very thankful and proud if they receive a letter or card from their sponsor.
The children receive everything that they need. But it’s great to surprise a child! The children are very happy
to receive a present from their sponsor parents. It’s a lot more special than in our culture because they live in
such a simple way. But not every child has a sponsor and not every sponsor sends something. Beside that,
many of the presents don’t reach the children because they disappear at the border or at the post office.
This is why we have made the arrangement in asking you to donate money to our present fund, so that we
can buy a present for the children.
6. Can I go and visit my child?
People that travel overseas often want to visit their child when they are in the vicinity. You are most welcome
to visit the children! We do have to ask you to be careful; don’t disturb the children too much. You will have to
arrange your own transport and accommodation. When you are planning to visit your child please let us know!
Help a Child gives children the possibility to follow an education that suits their capacities and desires.
The workers from the partner organisation are helping the children making those decisions. The need of each
child is different. This means that it’s hard for us to say how long your child will need financial support.
The support of the children normally stops when a child finishes their education.
will try to find a good job, and they will be supported in this. Through the years many children have been able
to find a job, so they are now able to take care of themselves and even support their families.
8. My sponsor child dropped out of the program. Why did that happen?
Most of the children will finish their education but sometimes, as in New Zealand, children will drop out. Some
of the children are not interested to learn anymore. The workers do the best they can to motivate the children
to complete their education but this doesn’t always happen. Sometimes the parents of the children move to a
different area and take their children with them. It’s not nice for a sponsor when their child leaves the
daycentre or school earlier then expected. But that doesn’t mean that your support has been for nothing;
the child has received help, prayer, education and a Christian witness for many years.
9. What happens when a sponsor child leaves the program?
You will receive information if your sponsor child leaves the orphanage or the daycentre. Sometimes you
receive a last letter with a photo. The contact will end when the child leaves, as the child is now able to take
care of himself or herself. This is also the reason why it is good to leave the child and not to have any further
contact. The workers in the different centres also encourage this. When you receive the message that your
child has left the program, then you will at the same time receive a request to sponsor another child.
Together we can Help a Child