This year, an extremely generous supporter has pledged that if we can increase the number of children that are sponsored to go to school through Kids Club Kampala by 10%, they will personally sign up to sponsor 10 more children themselves. This means that in 2024 we need the help of our supporters to sponsor 17 new children to go to school. When we started our Child Sponsorship Campaign on the last day of July, we needed eight more children to be sponsored to reach our target. Since then, two new very generous people have signed up to sponsor a child in need, but we need to keep going to achieve our target! Sponsor a young person today
Whilst we see this as an incredible opportunity, we understand that some people have questions about the transparency of charities and child sponsorship, as well as ethical concerns about child sponsorship in general. Below, I’ll go over some common questions and concerns surrounding transparency and ethics in child sponsorship. This might not address every debate about transparency and ethics in sponsorship generally, but I hope it reassures you of Kids Club Kampala’s commitment to these values.
Transparency
How is my donation really used?
All Child Sponsorship donations are restricted. This means that when you sign up to become a child sponsor we categorise and restrict these funds that we receive from you to the Child Sponsorship Project specifically on our accounting software and budgets. This means we cannot use Child Sponsorship donations for things like staff salaries and expenses.
So what exactly does the money you give provide?
One of the most important things to us at Kids Club Kampala is that we provide holistic support to our beneficiaries, to ensure that they get what they need to really excel. So as well as paying for school fees, your donation also provides your sponsored child with school uniform and materials like pens, books and bags. As well as this we ensure that your sponsored child receives a healthy, nutritious meal at school each day. Because we check in with sponsored children regularly, the children and their families also benefit from regular visits by our Ugandan team who offer emotional and practical support to the child and their family. Finally, your regular gift also helps cover the cost of basic healthcare.
How are children selected for the sponsorship project?
Because we are locally led, and have many different projects running in many different communities, we are very well connected. Our team and volunteers keep their ear to the ground and are able to identify children who are in great need of sponsorship. When a new sponsor signs up, if we do not have a child already on the waiting list, we will identify a child who needs and wants sponsorship, and then assign sponsors to children based on need. Sponsorship is also not shared between multiple people or groups. Each child is allocated just one sponsor (or group, e.g. a church group that signs up together) and over the years this allows the sponsor and the child to get to know each other. As a sponsor this allows you to see closely and personally the difference your sponsorship is making, however, this also benefits the children, as children often feel cared for and encouraged when the same person continues to sponsor them year on year.
How do I know that my gift is actually making a difference?
You can see for yourself! At the beginning of each year, you'll receive an update report detailing your sponsored child's progress. In the summer, you'll get a personal letter from your sponsored child, allowing you to witness their educational growth as their writing skills develop over time. If you choose to fund a gift for your sponsored child, we'll send you a photo of them with the gift you provided or one we sourced with your donation. When your sponsored child graduates from the project, you'll receive a comprehensive graduation report that outlines their sponsorship journey and includes some lovely photos.
Other Ethical Concerns
If you still have concerns about the ethics of our Child Sponsorship Project, that’s great! It's important to ask the difficult questions and fully understand how things work. We share your interest in ensuring that our work is not only impactful but also ethical. Here are some common questions about the ethics of child sponsorship.
Does sponsorship create dependency on external aid?
While child sponsorship is indeed a form of external aid, it does not promote dependency. Instead, it often reduces long-term reliance on aid. By supporting a child’s education, you are equipping them with the tools to become independent and, in turn, help their families rely less on external support. For instance, a former sponsored child with a stable income might be able to pay for a sibling’s school fees.
Power Dynamics and Beneficiary Agency
You might worry that sponsoring a child limits their choices and imposes decisions on them. This is a valid concern, but one we hope to alleviate. Children and their families voluntarily enrol in our project, eager to participate. While we encourage children to complete their education, they have the freedom to withdraw from the project at any time if they choose to do so.
What if a child chooses not to continue their education?
There have been instances where older children or young adults have left the program to start a business or accept a job offer. In these cases, they leave with vital skills and education that have prepared them for employment or entrepreneurship. These skills will benefit them throughout their lives, ensuring that their time in the project was valuable.
Cultural Insensitivity
There is a concern that western child sponsorship projects might impose western values on beneficiaries. This is a crucial concern. At Kids Club Kampala, one of our key principles is being locally led. Children on our Child Sponsorship Project attend local schools, and our Ugandan education team, along with the entire Kampala team, is Ugandan. Our Child Sponsorship Project respects local culture and enables children to thrive in their communities.
I hope this blog has eased your concerns and reassured you of our commitment to transparency and ethical impact. If you feel inspired, I encourage you to consider becoming a child sponsor yourself. If you are already a sponsor, please share this blog with friends and family who are looking to make a difference.
Now is a particularly impactful time to sponsor a child in need. If we reach our goal of 17 new sponsored children by the end of the year, our generous donor will contribute an additional 10 sponsorships.
This is a great opportunity to maximise your impact, so click the button below to find out more about our Child Sponsorship Project and have a look at some real life stories of how the project has created lasting change in people’s lives.
Should you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at luke@kidsclubkampala.org—I’d be more than happy to chat!
Comments