The wait for a sponsor can be a difficult one for children enrolled in the Child Sponsorship Program.

But thanks to those giving to the Unsponsored Children Fund and Where Most Needed, the children can participate in the program immediately while they wait for a sponsor.

The wait for a sponsor can be a difficult one for children enrolled in the Child Sponsorship Program.

But thanks to those giving to the Unsponsored Children Fund and Where Most Needed, the children can participate in the program immediately while they wait for a sponsor.

Compassion is committed to helping registered children from day one. As soon as a child has their photo taken at a Child Development Centre they begin to receive the practical and spiritual support they need to overcome poverty. However, it is not until they are sponsored that a very important part of the program begins—a one-to-one relationship that says to them someone is thinking of you, believing in you and praying for you.

Even though children who are newly registered into Compassion's program are available very quickly for sponsorship, more often than not it takes several months to connect a sponsor with a child.

Another reason is that unfortunately circumstances can change for supporters and sometimes they can just no longer continue to support a sponsored child.

When a sponsored child loses a sponsor, Compassion tries to find another person willing to be the child’s new sponsor. However, this can take several months. During this time the child continues to receive all the benefits of the program, except sponsor letters, birthday, and family gifts.

You can support children as they wait by giving to the Unsponsored Children Fund.


See your latest impact through the Unsponsored Children Fund

See how your generosity changed the lives of children this year.
Download our Unsponsored Children Fund Impact Report.

Compassion is committed to helping registered children from day one. As soon as a child has their photo taken at a Child Development Centre they begin to receive the practical and spiritual support they need to overcome poverty. However, it is not until they are sponsored that a very important part of the program begins—a one-to-one relationship that says to them someone is thinking of you, believing in you and praying for you.

Even though children who are newly registered into Compassion's program are available very quickly for sponsorship, more often than not it takes several months to connect a sponsor with a child.

Another reason is that unfortunately circumstances can change for supporters and sometimes they can just no longer continue to support a sponsored child.

When a sponsored child loses a sponsor, Compassion tries to find another person willing to be the child’s new sponsor. However, this can take several months. During this time the child continues to receive all the benefits of the program, except sponsor letters, birthday, and family gifts.

You can support children as they wait by giving to the Unsponsored Children Fund.

See your latest impact through the Unsponsored Children Fund

See how your generosity changed the lives of children this year.
Download our Unsponsored Children Fund Impact Report.

Compassion Sponsorship Stories

28 Mar, 2024

The Miracle Child: Joy’s Story

“Vicky called me because Joy was burning with fever,” says Josefina. “I went there right away. She had a 40-degree fever when they checked. The church staff tried to bring her temperature down. I told my husband to come home from work. Then we started looking for a hospital.”.. Read more

19 Mar, 2020

What the Bible Says About Joy

As Christians, maintaining joy in all situations helps us to live out fruitful lives. Here are some of our favourite Bible verses that show us the importance of joy... Read more

11 May, 2022

Letter Writing: 50 Questions to Ask Your Sponsored Child

Letter writing is an important way to connect with your sponsored child and play a part in their holistic development. For a child living in poverty, your letters bring hope, support and encouragement that can make a huge difference in their lives. Yet sometimes, it can be difficult to know where to start. .. Read more

FAQs

  • Are my donations to Compassion tax deductible?

    Yes! When you give generously to help release a child from poverty in Jesus' name with Compassion, your support helps to share a powerful hope and change your sponsored child's life. You help to give them access to good nutrition, education, medical support and treatment, the opportunity to hear how much God loves them, a safe place to play, learn, and grow ... and much more.

    Your support for your sponsored child is tax deductible and we will send you a tax summary receipt at the end of the financial year.

    Compassion Australia has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status for its Overseas Aid and Development Fund, as listed on the Australian Business Register under our ABN 67 001 692 566.

    Donations of $2 and over to the following funds are tax deductible:

    Please note, donations to the Bible Fund are not tax deductible.

    You can:

  • Can Compassion fund me, my family or my organisation?

    Unfortunately we cannot support individuals, families or organisations outside our program. Compassion's work in developing countries is led by a national office in partnership with local churches, and involves an in-depth process of determining the communities and individuals with the greatest needs that can be served through Compassion's program. All decisions as to which children receive support through Compassion's program are made locally.

    You can:

    Learn more about child sponsorship

  • Why is Compassion Australia not listed with the Australian Council for International Development?

    Compassion Australia is not a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) because of the church-based nature of our child development programs.

    Relying on private funding rather than government grants allows for a primarily church-to-church model of development. We do place a priority on governance, accountability, stewardship and transparency and, as a result, consider the best fit for our organisation are Christian Ministry Association accreditation, Missions Interlink membership, and Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission financial reporting requirements.

    However, this does not mean Compassion Australia could not obtain ACFID accreditation, which we would do if pursuing government grants.

  • What are the contact details for Compassion's regional offices?

    Victoria Office

    Street Address: Suite 3, Level 2, 5 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna VIC, 3152

    Postal address: PO Box 6137, Wantirna VIC, 3152

    Phone: +61 3 9800 1887

    Western Australia office

    Street Address: 28 Thorogood Street, Burswood WA, 6100

    Postal address: PO Box 328 Burswood WA 6100

    Phone: +61 8 6150 9177

    South Australia / Northern Territory office

    Street Address: 12/59 Fullarton Road, Kent Town, SA 5067

    Postal address: PO Box 7224, Hutt Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000

    Phone: +61 8 7225 2044

    Queensland office

    Street Address: 28/67 Depot St, Banyo QLD 4014

    Postal address: 28/67 Depot St, Banyo QLD 4014

    Phone: +61 7 3267 7743

    Sydney Metro

    Street Address: c/o Village Church Annandale, Cnr Booth and Johnson St, Annandale NSW, 2038

    Postal address: PO Box 221, Camperdown NSW, 1450

    Phone: +61 2 9660 7946

    View all Compassion contact details.

  • Can I volunteer with Compassion?

    Yes! We would love for you to become more involved with Compassion by volunteering.

    Currently, our greatest volunteering need is in churches and at events. You can advocate for a child in poverty by presenting in schools and churches, running fundraising initiatives and helping out at events. If you are passionate about advocating for a child living in poverty and would like to get involved, please let us know by filling out the form on our advocacy page.

    If you are based in Newcastle, we are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help support our team in the Newcastle office.

    You might also like to consider becoming a Compassion Prayer Partner to support our ministry through intentional prayer. As a member of Prayer Partners, you will receive a monthly newsletter that includes prayer points from local churches in our field countries. 

    We are expanding what it could look like to volunteer with Compassion, so if you have any ideas, we would love to hear from you. Just email us at volunteer@compassion.com.au with your thoughts.