With the World Wide Web connecting thousands of charity organizations at home and abroad these days, sponsoring an orphan child in a developing country is easier than ever. By donating even just a small fraction of your income, you can improve the life of a needy child immensely and ensure that he has all the resources to stay healthy and enjoy the childhood he deserves. However, there are a number of important things to consider before sponsoring an orphan child abroad.

Your Motivations

Begin by asking yourself exactly why you want to sponsor an orphan child. Have you been inspired by a recent news story or a visit to a developing nation? Do you want to sponsor a child because of a certain religious affiliation? Do you wish to form a connection with a needy child and learn about her local culture? These kinds of questions will help you decide which organization you wish to support, in which country you wish to sponsor a child and to what extent you wish to help.

Choosing An Organization

These days, there are hundreds of charity organizations out there, and many of them offer child sponsorship programs. Some charities are affiliated with a particular religion and others are not. Some religious charities impose their religious beliefs on the children and the community, while others do not. Ask lots of questions when choosing an organization. Do some thorough investigating to find out exactly where your money will be going and how it will be distributed. Some charities simply place your money in the hands of the child and his family while others spread the money throughout the local community. Ask your friends, family, and members of your religious group for recommendations on reputable organizations.

Online Sponsorship

The quickest and easiest way to sponsor a child these days is through the Internet. Nearly all charity organizations have a website, and many of them let you sign up for child sponsorship online by providing your contact and credit card information. You can even browse through and learn about specific children from all around the world. Often times you can search by country, region, age and other factors to choose a child in need. Other sites ask for your preferences regarding age, sex, nationality, etc., and choose a child for you. Finally, choose what amount of money you are willing to donate. Some organizations have set amounts while others let you choose, even just a dollar a day.

Communicating With Your Child

Once you've chosen an organization and have been assigned or have chosen a child, you can begin forming a relationship with that boy or girl. Many people who sponsor orphan children say this is the highlight of their lives. You can exchange letters, photos, and gifts with your sponsor child to learn about each others' families, customs and more. This can be a very valuable experience both for you and the child. You'll be able to monitor the child's progress and observe how your generosity is positively affecting the child's life.

Source:

How To Sponsor A Child

Charity Navigator