What is an ISAA Child Sponsor?
An ISAA child sponsor is a caring individual who desires to make a significant difference to a child living in poverty, by becoming uniquely involved in that child's life and offering them a brighter future and hope.
Since you will be the only sponsor for that child your long-term dedication, support and encouragement will make an eternal difference in the life your sponsored child.
What information will I receive regarding my sponsored child?
Every year you will receive three letters from your sponsored child, a progress report with an updated photo of your child and occasional e-news and mailings from International Support Aid Australia to keep you up-to-date on our sponsorship program and projects in Uganda.
Can I visit my sponsor child?
Yes, appropriate arrangements can be made so that you can visit your sponsor child but you will need to notify ISAA office at least 3 months prior to your intended visit. Meeting your sponsor child is one of the most fulfilling experiences for both yourself and your sponsor child. By visiting your sponsor child you can see for yourself firsthand the difference that your support is making. If you would like additional information please contact the office on 03 9890 6276.
Sponsors are able to visit their sponsor child at their own expense. This can be a very rewarding and enriching experience for both the sponsor and the sponsor child and their family and community. If you wish to visit your sponsor child, you must contact us at least three months before your intended departure date and before you make any travel bookings. This is to allow sufficient time for the screening and interview process and to allow for arrangements to be made on ground in Uganda.
International Support Aid Australia has a child protection policy which specifies a commitment to being a child-safe organisation and supports the safety of children in their communities. All sponsors who wish to visit their sponsor child will be required to undergo a federal police clearance and well as obtain a Working With Children Check before leaving Australia to protect children from potential abuse. All sponsors who wish to visit their sponsor child will also be required to read and sign the International Support Aid Australia Child Protection Policy.
How does my sponsored child benefit from their participation in International Support Aid Australia’s sponsorship program?
The primary purpose of the Child Sponsorship Program is to provide benefits to that child for the improvement of their welfare, education, health and the future prospects with long-term goals of self-sufficiency. By sponsoring children, we seek to raise support and financial aid for children in poverty and work at bringing about lasting changes on both an individual and social level.
For such children growing up in poverty our primary goal is to effectively meet their holistic needs. Your sponsored child will receive the benefits of education, medical attention, nutritional enhancement, and a safe and loving environment.
Can I correspond or send a gift to my sponsor child?
Writing to your sponsor child brings them a sense of value and encouragement. Just as you and I love receiving letters from friends and family, so too does your sponsor child. The fact that someone on the other side of the world cares enough to write to them speaks volumes to these children. It is also a great way for both of you to get to know each other and learn about each other’s country.
We recommend that you keep your letters brief and simple, avoiding inappropriate references to cultures, religions, politics, money or possessions. Flat, small items such as bookmarks, colouring pages and stickers that fit into the envelope with the letter, make great gifts.
Gifts larger than a standard business sized envelope will incur postage costs, of which the sponsor sending the gift will be liable for. Where possible, please avoid sending large parcels as they may “disappear” in the mailing system and may also attract high import duties that use up valuable funds meant to help other children in need.
The simplest, most cost effective and practical gift you can give a Ugandan child is monetary gift. A gift of $15 is more than adequate for the purchase of a nice gift of shoes, clothing, a bible or other basic needs. You may designate the type of item you wish your child to receive and every effort will be made to purchase that item for the child in Uganda. If you desire to send a monetary gift to your child, please mail a cheque, money order or a note with permission to debit nominated additional funds from your credit card directly to the ISAA office, clearly marked as a gift, with your child’s name and reference code included.
When sending correspondence to your child, please ensure that you write his or her name and reference code at the top of the letter. Please do not include your address on the envelope to the child or in the letter. This is to protect you from unsolicited correspondence from Uganda. Please send your correspondence to ISA Uganda CARE4Kids C/O “your sponsor child’s name and reference code” PO Box 700, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa.
How long does my sponsorship continue?
You have the opportunity to continue sponsoring your child throughout the length of their stay in the program. Children are generally sponsored between 5 to 12 years. The length of their enrolment in the program will depend on the age the child started and on any changes in their circumstances or on their cultural expectations.
What happens if I must cease my child sponsorship?
You may choose to discontinue your sponsorship at any time. We do understand that sponsors' circumstances sometimes change. If you can no longer continue to sponsor your child we would appreciate your notifying us as soon as possible so that, as part of our continuing program, another sponsor can be secured for your sponsor child. In cases where there is a foreseeable temporary difficulty over payments, we are very willing to talk this through with you, and make alternative arrangements.
How much is my monthly commitment to child sponsorship?
The sponsorship amount under the Sponsor a Future program is currently $40 per month. This may vary from time to time as living costs in Uganda increase, but we will provide you with advance written notice of any variation in the sponsorship amount. This amount can be paid monthly, quarterly or annually, and can be paid by way of cheque, credit card, online or bank deposit.
Will I receive a receipt for my support to ISAA?
A receipt tax-deductable receipt will be issued from ACC International Relief (ACCIR), our partner organistation, which ISAA will post out quarterly or yearly depending on your method of payment.
How can I be sure my monthly commitment or project donations actually reach my sponsored child or designated projects?
ISAA sends 80 percent or more of total expenditures on programs that benefit the children we serve and partner-development-projects we facilitate. The management team, who are responsible for the proper distribution of funds, oversees each of our projects. In addition there is monthly monitoring and assessing of developments. Project reports and photos will also be regularly sent out, as confirmation that the recipients are receiving and benefiting from your project donations.
I would like to sponsor a child, what do I do now?
Fill out the downloadable form and post it to the ISAA office. If you would like more information, please email us at sponsorship@internationalsupportaid.org or call the office on 03 9890 6276.
How should I pay for my monthly sponsorship commitment?
Many of our sponsors enjoy the convenience of ISAA’s direct debit automatic contribution scheme. You may alternatively make donations on line through our secure online payment hosting, or call to sign up. ISAA also accepts cheques, cash and money orders.
Cheques are payable to: International Support Aid Australia
PO Box 525, Box Hill, 3128 VIC Australia
Donations can be directly deposited at any ANZ Branch:
International Support Aid Australia BSB: 013225 Account No: 9025785132