The local staff in each community are best placed to understand the individual needs of children in their area. Therefore, they are responsible for working with the national office staff to decide which children are registered in the Child Sponsorship Program and which young families require support through Mums and Babies or other Critical Needs.

Each child development centre has clearly documented processes and criteria for selecting the most vulnerable families in their area who can benefit from the program. Firstly, particular communities in need are identified and assessed. Local staff then speak to community leaders and members to verify the circumstances of the families and determine what needs the local children face. Then, parents within those communities are told about Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program and invited to register their children. These families will include those with at-risk children, children with special needs, children affected by HIV/AIDS and, for Mums and Babies, mothers who have miscarried in previous pregnancies. Generally, only one child per family is supported so that the benefit of sponsorship is spread as widely as possible throughout the community. There can be exceptions made where a family's needs are particularly urgent or acute.

You can:

• Sponsor a child
• Give to Mums and Babies
• Donate to Critical Needs
• Learn more about the Child Sponsorship Program