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
• My first letter from my sponsored child referred to him or her as the wrong gender. Why?

  The first letter from your sponsored child is usually written very soon after the child receives the good news that he or she has been sponsored. Regular letters have a barcode on them telling the translator whether the child is a boy or girl. As the first special letter doesn't yet have that code, the translator does not know the gender of your sponsored child and may make an error.

  You can:

  • Write a letter
  • Learn more about how your letters reach your child
  • Sponsor a child
• 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
• When will my sponsored child complete Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program?

  Sponsored children graduate from the Child Sponsorship Program once they have completed school or a vocational training course. Depending on the community and the child's situation, they usually aim to complete secondary education before graduating. The age of children completing the program varies from country to country, depending on the education system and other cultural and organisational differences. However, graduation usually occurs between 18 and 22 years old.

  Every teenager registered in our program writes a plan for their future, including their likely date for graduation. You are welcome to write to your older sponsored child and ask about what is in their 'My Plan for Tomorrow'.

  Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program works towards holistic development of children, so that when they graduate they are:

  • Healthy and able to make wise decisions about their health
  • Motivated with skills to be economically self-supporting
  • Able to interact with others in a healthy and compassionate manner
  • Given the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel message

  Sometimes, a child may leave the program before graduation; for example, if their family moves from the area, their home situation improves, or their family chooses to withdraw them.

  You can:

  • Write a letter
  • Learn more about how the Child Sponsorship Program works
  • Sponsor a child
• 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.