How do I sign up to sponsor a child?
Choose which child you would like to sponsor today by clicking here. You will be directed to a section where you can read stories and see photographs of the children in need of sponsorship. Selected a child that you would like to sponsor and proceed to make your initial contribution of $35.
You will receive a confirmation notice by email immediately. Within a week, you will receive a welcome packet in the mail which will include a hard copy and photo of your new sponsored child.
How much does child sponsorship cost and what are the payment options?
Child sponsorship is $35 per month or $420 per year. You can choose to contribute on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Here are your contribution options:
Monthly ($35): To opt for a monthly contribution, you must enroll in our automatic credit/debit card withdrawal service. We will automatically charge your debit or credit card on the 1st or 15th of each month to keep your sponsorship current.
Quarterly ($105) or Annually ($420): Please make your checks payable to Asante and attach a note with the check which indicates your child’s ID number. We will send you a partnership reminder for each period in which your sponsorship pledge is in need of renewal.
You may also make your payments online at anytime by going to the Child Sponsorship Payment page.
Does all of the money go directly to my sponsor child?
No more than 10% of your contributions are retained for administrative costs in the U.S. office.
Will I hear how my sponsored child is doing?
Yes, you will receive two-to-four update letters and a photograph each year from your sponsored child.
Does my child actually write the letters that I receive?
Many times a parent or teacher will help the sponsored child write a letter to their sponsor but the child is always present and involved. The letters will be translated by our volunteers and then sent to the US to be forwarded to each sponsor.
Why does it take so long to get my letters?
All correspondence is sent and received on a quarterly basis. By the time the letters are written, translated and mailed to the U.S. and then mailed to the sponsor, much time passes by. We appreciate your patience on this.
Can I write to my child?
Absolutely! Your sponsored child looks forward to receiving your letters. You can mail your letters to: Asante, 1730 SW Skyline Blvd., Ste 128, Portland, OR 97221. We will forward the letters to East Africa on your behalf. Letters are mailed on a quarterly basis. You may include photographs or other small, flat items that will fit in an envelope that takes a regular stamp (No more than 8.5″x5.5″). Please be sure that your letters are no more than 4oz in weight. Items that do not fit within these guidelines will either be returned to you or donated.
What do I write to my child about?
Share about yourself or your family, what you do for a living, your hobbies, pets, your interests, places you have traveled to or special holiday stories. Most importantly, encourage your child and let them know that you are thinking and praying for them. The children receive so little in their life that a letter from their sponsor means so much to them. They especially love to receive photographs. Please keep your letters brief and simple so our staff can easily translate them. Feel free to ask your child about their lives and interest, with sensitivity to their family backgrounds. All correspondence between the child and their sponsor are filtered through our staff for security purposes.
What happens if I send more than $35 a month?
Money that is sent in addition to the $35 per month will be directed into the general child sponsorship fund.
Can I meet my sponsor child?
Absolutely! You can meet your sponsored child by going on a short term mission trip to Africa with us. We will arrange for you to visit their home and meet their family. You can look at our upcoming trips and contact us for more details. If you are traveling to Africa with another group and would like to meet your sponsored child while you are there, please contact us in advance to arrange your visit.
Can I send my child a gift for Christmas or their birthday?
If you would like to do something special for your child at Christmas or for their birthday, please contact us for gift options. We have a gift catalog where you can choose from commonly needed items.
How long do I have to commit to sponsorship when I sign up?
We commit to sponsoring each child until they complete their high school education. Therefore, we ask our sponsors to consider this same commitment when they sign up. Depending on the age of the child when you first start sponsoring, you could be a sponsor anywhere from 6-14 years. Your child will look to you as a parental figure and will depend on your continued support to complete their education.
What happens if I cannot continue as a child sponsor?
If your circumstances change and you can no longer sponsor a child we would greatly appreciate if you could help us find another sponsor to take over your commitment. If you are not able to do this, we will be sure that your child is sponsored by someone else quickly so that their benefits are not interrupted.
How do you choose the children in your sponsorship program?
Asante selects children based on their need. Many children in our program are orphaned by one or both parents. If they have parents, there is very little income to cover their basic needs. We also choose children within the ages of 4-7 when initially registered so that they may complete our whole program. Our goal is to support as many families as we can, therefore, we choose to sponsor one child in each family. We also register children who live in close proximity to our field offices or schools and we do not discriminate against religion, ethnicity or gender.
Why doesn’t my sponsor child have a birth date?
Many children do not have birth certificates. It is also uncommon to celebrate birthdays so many times the date is forgotten after time. Most of the birth dates are estimated and sometimes not accurate; therefore, we provide a birth year given to us by the parent or guardian.
We realize that these FAQ’s may not answer all of your questions. Please feel free to contact us for further information. We will look forward to hearing from you!