- Are these actual students – are they really there?
- Why are some of these students older than me, but in a lower grade in school?
- Isn’t public school free in other countries?
- What if I can’t raise all the money?
- What if my student leaves the program before they graduate?
- What if I have other questions?
1. Are these actual students – are they really there?
Yep, they’re really there. All of the students you see on our site are real kids in need of help. We give you their first name and country and some basic information about them so you can decide who you would like to help. You’ll get more detailed information in the mail, including their photo, when you sign up to sponsor.
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2. Why are some of these students older than me, but in a lower grade in school?
Great question! Things work a lot differently in developing countries than they do in the U.S. You have the security of always going to school. That is rare in the countries where we work.
Many life circumstances can cause a student to lag behind in school. Sometimes a student’s parent will get very sick, and the student will have to stay home to care for them and the other children in the family.
Or in many of the countries where we work, school fees and uniforms are required even for public schools. It is common for families to not be able to afford these fees, and therefore, the children don’t go to school. Sometimes they will not be able to pay school fees for years – putting the student very behind in school.
There are a lot of other reasons why children in developing countries may be behind in school. But, we can do something – we can help them catch up and graduate!
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3. Isn't public school free in other countries?
Not always. And even if school is free, there are books and supplies to buy, uniforms and school fees to pay for, not to mention transportation costs to and from school. These can add up, and if the tuition doesn’t keep kids from pursuing their education, all these other costs might.
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4. What if I can't raise all the money?
If you think it would be hard to raise all the money needed for your student, it would be better to fundraise for the
scholarship program instead. Remember - you can give to the scholarship program in any amount and at any time.
But, if you do sponsor and are having trouble raising the amount needed, just contact us or call Sponsor Services at 1.800.875.6564 or 913.384.6500 and we'll work with you.
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5. What if my student leaves the program before they graduate?
Sometimes this happens – students in developing countries have a lot of challenges and sometimes continuing their education, even when they’re being supported through the sponsorship program, becomes a burden. Sometimes students leave the program to help their family earn money; sometimes they get married or move away.
If any of these things happen, we’ll let you know and give you the chance to transfer your sponsorship to another student. You can even tell us who you’d like to help - this way to you can continue to make a difference in someone’s life.
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6. What if I have other questions?
We are available to answer any additional questions you may have. Just contact us with your questions or call Sponsor Services at 1.800.875.6564 or 913.384.6500.
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