FAQs

• How do you know sponsorship works?

  Compassion has been involved in individual child development for over 60 years. Independent research published in the Journal of Political Economy in 2013 studied 1860 children who participated in Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program between 1980 and 1992 and found that graduates stayed in school longer, were more likely to have salaries and white-collar employment, and were more likely to be leaders in their communities and churches than their peers who did not participate in the program. Once Compassion sponsored children, these adults are now making a difference in their communities as mums, dads, pastors, teachers, doctors, even members of parliament.

  You can:

  • Sponsor a child
  • Learn more about the research
• 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
• How often will my sponsored child write to me?

  As a Compassion sponsor, you will receive at least two letters each year from your sponsored child.

  In addition, you will receive a third letter written by someone involved in your sponsored child's life (for example, their church pastor, program director or another Compassion staff member who knows your sponsored child's circumstances well). These letters provide you with more detailed information about your sponsored child's community, child development centre, society and culture, and help you to build a stronger relationship with the child you support.

  In addition to these three letters, you will also receive up to four reply letters in response to those you write to your sponsored child. If you write to your sponsored child regularly, this means you could receive up to six letters per year.

  You can:

  • Write a letter
  • Sponsor a child
• The children in the photos have nice clothes and don't look like they are starving. Why do they need my help?

  The children's dignity comes first, and for this reason we make every effort to ensure they are always photographed in clean clothes. Often, parents have their children dressed in their best clothes on photo day at the centre, in the same way that lots of parents in Australia make sure their kids are at their most presentable on school photo day! Registered children have a right to dignity, and their families can take pride in the picture that is being sent to sponsors on the other side of the world.

  As a result, your sponsored child's photograph may not show the full extent of the conditions in which they live, yet registered children are offered a place in the program according to their circumstances and needs.

  You can:

  • Sponsor a child
  • Make a donation
• How do I write a letter to my sponsored child?

  Log in to My Account.

  Click on your sponsored child's image. Click on 'Write a Letter'.

  You will then be able to see your letter history, your saved drafts, or begin a new letter. You also have options to choose the layout and template of your letter, and add photos.

  To write a new letter, simply click on 'Write your letter here...' and begin typing.

  You can then either 'Save' your letter, which saves it into the 'Letter Drafts' section in case you'd like to work on it later, or hit 'Send' and your encouraging words will be on their way to make your sponsored child's day!

  Thank you for taking a few moments to encourage your sponsored child.