Andi Reiss and Kris Sorbie – ©
andireiss.com
The Give a Child a Chance is a programme to sponsor a named child through primary and/or secondary education.
Since inception, over 130 children from severely disadvantaged backgrounds, who would otherwise have no education now have the opportunity of going to school. We have seen their lives transformed for the better. The children also feel loved, safe and a part of our sponsor family.
We work in partnership with a limited number of schools in local areas that we personally know. They have a good and credible track record in self-help and in supporting their local communities.
Sponsors of children receive regular updates such as school reports and health and wellbeing information of the child, enabling them to follow the development and progress of the child.
There are currently over 130 children being supported and there are just as many on our waiting list. They are orphans, from severely deprived homes or street children between the age of 6 and 16 years old.
You can sponsor a child through primary education for as little as £30 a month (£1 a day) or $570 a year in the USA. The £1 a day is less than half the cost of a cup of coffee.
To signup for sponsorship and a regular donation for all countries excluding the USA, please complete the form below.
USA sponsors can sign up here, and in so doing get tax relief on your donation. Please note that USA donations are processed via CAF America, a 501 3(C) organisation.
Information about sponsoring a child through Alongside Africa Uganda:
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, if you have elected to support a named 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.