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"I hope that poor children can have access to books, clean water, food, and be in good health."

"I want to help children in need to grow up healthily and happily, so that they can become independent through education and contribute to society."

Do these words from our sponsors echo yours?

We pool donations from our sponsors to carry out development work in children's community, such as constructing boreholes and school buildings, promoting the prevention of child marriage and child labour, etc., to respond to the needs of the sponsored children. In the community, we do not differentiate children on the basis of their sponsorship status, for example, all children, sponsored or not, can collect water from the boreholes constructed by World Vision. Therefore, your donation not only helps your sponsored child, but also other children in need in the community. Our goal is that, ultimately, all sponsored children and their entire community will be empowered and able to support themselves.

Now you may ask, "I understand the bit about supporting children in need regardless of sponsorship status, but then makes my sponsored child different from other children if they can all benefit?"

In the 6th issue of "Discovery Sponsorship Journey", we will share with you the true stories of two sponsored children in Indonesia and Bangladesh, to help you understand what it means to be a "sponsored child".

Each sponsored child will only be matched with one sponsor. This special bond represents that World Vision is entrusted to support the needs of the sponsored child. (Extended reading: The origin of Child Sponsorship Programme) Therefore, we monitor sponsored children's wellbeing and needs in terms of health, education, family and other indicators, so as to provide adequate support. The progress is then shared with sponsors through the "Annual Progress Report". In case of an emergency or special situation, our frontline colleagues in the community will immediately provide help for the affected child, and we will also report the incident to the sponsor.

The following three are the most common special situations which require the sponsor's attention:

• The child has been affected by a natural disaster (such as the typhoon in southern Africa in late January this year, the earlier volcanic eruption in Ecuador and the earthquake in Nepal, etc.)
• The child has been involved in an accident (such as traffic accidents, domestic accidents, drowning, etc.)
• The child or a family member becomes seriously ill or dies

There are hundreds, even thousands, of sponsored children in a community. So other than the efforts of our staff, we also mobilise the community to watch over sponsored children and their wellbeing. For example, we train community members to become volunteers to conduct home visits, and we also work closely with schools and partners to organise activities for children. In the past two years, in light of the pandemic prevention policies, we would continue to check up on children through various channels even if we were unable to meet them in person.

World Vision staff in Indonesia noticed that sponsored child Ndami was not in school during a regular visit. Her family had found it difficult to afford her school fees while taking care of her ill father's medical expenses and other daily needs at the same time. Mistakenly thinking that Ndami needed to purchase a new uniform if she attended high school, her family decided that it was good enough for her to finish junior high school.

After learning about the difficulties faced by the Ndami's family, World Vision staff helped them identify their problems and available resources. The family was advised to sell their harvest to increase their income and had their concerns regarding Ndami's education addressed. After several rounds of persuasion from World Vision and other community partners, Ndami's family finally understood the importance of education and agreed to work together to support her education. "It's great to be able to go back to school. I can continue to pursue my dreams!" Ndami, who loves learning, says with a smile.

Sponsored children can contact their sponsors through letters, which is a privilege that separates them from other children. As each sponsored child only has one sponsor, the letters or small gifts especially prepared by the sponsor can make the children feel loved and cared for.

Some children see their sponsors as someone they can express their concerns to, while others say that their friends will be envious every time they receive a letter from their sponsors! (Extended reading: More heart-warming replies from children )

Children's personalities are shaped by their past and upbringing. For those who are more introverted and passive, or finds it difficult to open up, affirmation and acceptance from others can help them to build up their self-worth.

Like many children in her community, Dola, a sponsored child from Bangladesh, has benefited from World Vision's work since a very young age. However, it is the blessings from her sponsor that is the most memorable to her. "Although my sponsor was from a very far country, but still, she is connected to me. She sends me her blessings for my birthday and other special days, and these make me feel very encouraged. She is a precious gift in my life!"

The support of her sponsors has not only made Dola feel loved and cared for, but also allowed her to understand her rights as a child through World Vision's training. She fights to reject child marriage, and even helped save other children in the community from this harmful practice! "I want to become a journalist and let more people understand the harm child marriage brings." Dola says firmly.

Dola's sponsor probably did not expect her genuine care and letters would encourage her child in such a way and even change the fate of other children.

With good intentions, sponsors embark on a sponsorship journey with randomly arranged children, ensuring that the children have their needs met and are cared for. However, in the community, every child is equally important. They live in the same space and face similar challenges. By sponsoring a child, you can bless needy children in the community and support them to "grow up healthily and happily, become independent through education, and contribute to society." Their lives can change because of you.

If there are any questions about sponsorship, or other topics that you would like us to cover, please send us an email at [email protected] to "Discovery Sponsorship Journey". Your questions may become the topic of our upcoming issue!