Dami Im

FAQs

• Does Compassion help children of every faith?

  Yes. Compassion is a Christian organisation that partners exclusively with Christian churches to implement our child development program. We are called to serve the poor, regardless of ethnicity, gender or religious background.

  Children and families are prioritised for support based on need, not religion. Before registering their children in the Child Sponsorship Program, caregivers are told about the Christian foundation of the program and give permission for their children to receive Christian education. Ongoing participation in the program doesn't depend on making a commitment to Christ and children are free to leave the program at any time. Our frontline church partners are careful to present the gospel in a culturally sensitive way.

  You can:

  • Learn more about Compassion Australia
  • Sponsor a child
  • Give to Mums and Babies
• Do currency exchange rates impact giving a gift to my sponsored child?

  Yes—currency exchange rates vary from country to country and can fluctuate daily. This is why we have a required minimum amount for monetary gifts given to sponsored children, their families and child development centres. While 100 per cent of the gift goes to the child, their family or their centre respectively, a minimum gift limit ensures that once converted to local currency, your gift still has the impact you intended.

• Can I write to my sponsored child?

  Yes! The personal relationship you build through writing letters is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your sponsored child's life. Children love to receive letters, photos and cards, and the emotional, social and spiritual boost that your encouragement gives your sponsored child can be pivotal to their development.

  Graduates from Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program consistently point to their sponsors' letters and prayers as the two things above all others that gave them hope, courage and the belief that they could overcome their circumstances.

  A 2012 study Compassion carried out in Peru, Rwanda, Guatemala and Thailand found that:

  • Over 90 per cent of children report strongly experiencing joy, love, encouragement and a sense of belonging when they receive letters from their sponsors.

  • Children who receive letters report feeling more motivated at school and church activities.

  • Children who receive letters consistently demonstrate greater confidence, including behaviours like an ability to care for others, awareness of generosity and sharing, ability to communicate, obedience and helpfulness.

  • Children generally write at least two letters a year to their sponsors, and we encourage you to write at least two letters a year in reply.

  You can:

  Write a letter

  Sponsor a child

  Find out how COVID-19 may be impacting letters

• How can I find out information about my sponsored child?

  You can find more information about your sponsored child or children in your My Account.

  Once you have logged in, you will see your sponsored child's photo. When you click on their image, you will see their age, birthday and home location. You can also read information about your sponsored child's family and home situation, their country and some information about their child development centre and community.

  You will also have the option to write a letter or give a gift by clicking on the corresponding blue text immediately below their name and child number. Letters are one of the best ways to get to know your sponsored child and their family. If there’s something in particular you’d like to know about your sponsored child, you can always contact us to discuss your question further.

  Find out more:

  Write a letter

  My Account

  Easy sample letter templates for your sponsored child

• I need to cancel my sponsorship. What will happen to my sponsored child?

  Your relationship with your sponsored child is important. As well as receiving the financial assistance they need, your sponsored child also receives ongoing emotional support through your letters and prayers. However, we understand that circumstances can change and there may come a time when you can no longer continue to sponsor a child.

  When a sponsored child loses a sponsor, we try to find another person willing to take on the support of that child through sponsorship. This can take up to six months and in some cases a year. During this time, the child continues to receive all the benefits of the program, except sponsor letters, birthday and family gifts.

  The child development centre receives a reduced amount of per child monthly funding while the child is unsponsored. If less than 80 per cent of the children at a child development centre are sponsored, we make additional contributions from our Unsponsored Children Fund so that the centre continues to receive funding for 80 per cent of the children it is caring for. If there are too many unsponsored children at any one centre, new child registration quotas will be decreased.

  Because we understand that sometimes personal circumstances can make meeting your monthly sponsorship commitment difficult, we have various financial assistance options that can be customised according to your individual needs. If you are experiencing difficulties in making your current sponsorship contributions and would like to find out more about our options for sponsorship assistance, please contact us.

  Find out more:

  If I need to cancel my sponsorship, what are my options?