Five ways sponsoring a child can be good for your child

1) Sponsoring opens minds

Giving your child a window into the life and culture in a different corner of the globe helps them to develop a broader knowledge and understanding of the world. When you sponsor a child, you get a unique view of their life and community through regular updates, photos, videos and letters. It’s a chance for your child to connect personally with someone who has a different experience of the world we live in. 

2) Sponsoring gives new perspectives

Sponsoring a child is a great opportunity for your child to consider new perspectives. What is life like for your sponsored child? How is their situation similar, and how is it different from your own? Why does your sponsored child face different challenges than you? If you were in their shoes, how would it change your views and opinions? Asking questions can help develop your child’s understanding of global issues and expand their perspective – and that’s crucial for being a good friend, citizen and leader. 

3) Sponsoring encourages empathy

Researchers say empathy is the foundation of healthy relationships, ethical behaviour and professional success. Developing empathy helps boost kids’ social, academic and even physical development, and their mental health. Building a connection with your sponsored child over the years by exchanging letters and receiving photos and updates is a fun way for your child to build their empathy muscle.

4) Sponsoring grows gratitude

Sponsoring a child is an opportunity not just to help someone else, but to learn from them. Many sponsors share that they are deeply inspired by their sponsored child’s gratitude for the blessings in their life – the health of their family, the chance to go to school, and a new water tap in their community. Leading by example, our sponsored children can teach us, and our kids, to appreciate what we have. 

5) Sponsoring builds healthy habits

Giving is good for us. Studies show kindness improves well-being, reduces stress hormones and releases dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, the happy hormone. Generosity and kindness are habits that become easier with practice, so teaching your child about sharing and giving from a young age builds values that can last a lifetime. Sponsoring a child is a way to show your child generosity in practice and inspire them for life.