Information about sponsoring a child through Alongside Africa Uganda:
Thank you for taking the first step towards transforming a child’s life!
Sponsorship from the USA is made via CAF America, a US 501(c)(3) public charity, which means that gifts to CAF America are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
US sponsorship involves an annual donation of $570 for primary school or $960 for secondary school
What does the sponsored child receive?
You are giving a child the opportunity to go to school, sleep in a safe place, access medical care, and enjoy a nutritious diet that allows them to fulfil their potential.
You sponsorship covers school fees for the child and related supplies such as school uniform, books, mattress, blankets and other essentials.
Does my sponsored child have a family?
This varies on the individual child. Some children come from a loving family that is just too poverty stricken to care for the child, but some have no families or come from abusive backgrounds and so are not in a safe environment at home.
What happens when I sign up for sponsorship?
Once your sponsorship donation has been received we will be in contact within two weeks with details of your sponsored child. You will receive a photograph of the child together with a profile outlining the child’s background.
What exactly happens to the money I pay?
All sponsorship money received is used to the benefit of the sponsored children.
Sponsorship money is used to pay the school fees for the child. The balance of the money is used to purchase essential supplies for each child.
What happens to my money if I elect not to sponsor a named child?
Depending on the most urgent need at the time you donation will either be used to fund the school fees of several children as day scholars at a government primary school, (because we do not have funds to put them all in boarding school,) or we will allocate the funds to put a child in urgent need into boarding school, where they can be safe and well looked after.
How do I know that my money is being used correctly?
We recognise that trust is a big concern for donors, that is why we do all we can to be transparent and accountable, including:
- Providing you with photos of your sponsored child at school.
- Copies of school reports at the end of each term.
- Each of the children selected for sponsorship meet strict criteria and are known personally to our professional team in Uganda, who have assessed their individual needs.
- We only partner with schools that we know personally and visit on a regular basis. Children are allocated to a school based on the specific needs of the child and the strengths of the school
- In addition, we encourage sponsors to visit their children here in Uganda and offer volunteering opportunities for young adults who come, see, learn and spread the word about what we do.
Can I communicate with my sponsored child?
Yes! we encourage you to write to your sponsored child as a way of building a relationship. Be aware however that English is not the first language of most young children in Uganda and so replies may be in the form of pictures or so other form of expression.
Can I get tax relief on my donations?
Yes! Alongside Africa Uganda is registered with the Charities Aid Foundation America, a 501 3(c) organisation that has many years experience of working with non-US charities. Because you make a donation to CAF America, with a ‘suggestion’ that they forward the money to Alongside Africa Uganda you are donating to a 501 3(c) organisation and can get full tax relief.
Why do I have to pay sponsorship for a year in advance rather than paying monthly?
CAF America’s fee structure is such that small value monthly donations are not cost effective to process.
On behalf of the children and the whole team here at Alongside Africa Uganda, thank you for your support.
We hope you are now ready and raring to go, but if you have any questions, please email us at enquiries@alongsideafrica.org and we will be more than happy to answer them.