How much is it to sponsor a child?
Sponsoring a child is $30.00 per month. Village Makeover’s child development program is holistic and helps in several areas of the child’s life:
- We supply everything a child needs for attending school, fees, text books, note pads, pens, school uniform and shoes.
- We supply basic health care. The child’s health is closely monitored and medical services are provided as needed. Our local community team member has oversight of this. Our Saturday program includes training on good health practices such as nutrition and hygiene.
- We provide a Saturday program where the children meet in a positive, safe environment that promotes learning and growth. Through sports and games they learn about team concepts, such as discipline, dedication and determination, and gain a sense of self-worth. Unity is built through being a part of the Saturday group where they’re taught social skills, how to manage challenges in a productive way and learn about ethics and values. They receive program information and they can write and receive sponsor letters during this time. They also receive a hot meal.
- We provide spiritual instruction during our Saturday program. This is a critical piece in the children’s overall development. Local pastors are involved in the children’s lives and provide love, nurturing and guidance for the children.
Who monitors the children’s progress on a daily basis?
Village Makeover works with its partnering organization, Comfort My People. This team is made up of native Rwandans and its main office is in Kigali. When working in the villages our Rwanda team selects and trains a person from within that village to be part of Comfort My People/Village Makeover team. This is the person that oversees the program on a daily basis and has direct contact with the Kigali office. We also work with parents, host families, teachers, pastors and government officials to ensure the well being and safety of the children.
Help Me Select A Child
Having difficulty selecting a child? Do you want us to select for you? Please contact us by sending an email and providing any preferences that
you might have, such as, gender, age, etc… We will make that part of the selection process, and then select from where the need is greatest.
Am I the only sponsor for the child I’m helping?
Yes, so you can see the importance of making a commitment to this child. By making that commitment you will have the opportunity to build on that relationship, watch as this child grows into a young man or woman. Learn about their life and the culture they live in and share some of yours.
What happens if I have to discontinue my sponsorship of this child?
We will find another sponsor for this child as quickly as we can. You may also have someone in your sphere of influence that would be willingly to take over the sponsorship of your child. Resources allowing, Village Makeover will keep this child in school until another sponsor is available. We ask you to give us as much notice as possible by calling us at 303-901-0816.
What does it mean to be a Village Makeover sponsor?
You’re giving these children hope, hope for a better and brighter future. One where they can thrive and live up to their potential. You’re showing them that miracles do exist. That someone a continent away, could care about them and be willing to do something about it. These children will know you, know your name and write to you and send pictures. Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” When you sponsor a child you are one of those people, changing someone’s world.
What are my options for communicating with my sponsored child?
- Writing letters is an important communication tool. You can write as often as you like. These letters are so important to the children, they love receiving them and it reinforces that you care about them. We hand out the letters during the Saturday program. PLEASE NOTE: INCLUDE THE CHILD’S SPONSORSHIP ID# AT THE TOP OF THE LETTER. Provided in the “contact information” you will find a physical address and an email address. You can choose to use either. If you choose to send an email our Kigali staff will print and give to the child. Our Kigali staff will also translate the letter for the child. English is being taught in the schools, but not everyone is proficient at it. If you choose to use the mail then you have the opportunity to send pictures and drawings that your own children might want to include. You can make this sponsorship a great family experience if you chose.
- We do encourage you to send a picture of yourself and/or your family. The children cherish these photos and it gives them a better sense of knowing you as they read their letters.
- If you like you can send your child gifts. You can also send extra money and our staff will purchase the gift for you in Rwanda and give to your child. This is the most practical way and assures that the gift is not lost in the mail. Should we not be able to find the exact gift we will purchase something similar and of equal value. We suggest, but we don’t limit you, to sending from $10.00 to $25.00 per gift.
- The needs of the children’s family are also great. As a sponsor this is not expected, but is allowed. We suggest, but we don’t limit you to sending from $25.00 to $300.00 per gift. This gift could go to buy beds, mattresses, a water catchment system for their home, etc… Should you decide to make this contribution we would take pictures of your gift and your child’s family receiving the gift along with a letter from them.
- Should you want to visit your child in Rwanda, Village Makeover will help with organizing a visit and our partner on the ground, Comfort My People will be your contact once there.
- Your sponsored child will write to you as well. You will provide Village Makeover’s USA office with your mailing address and we will forward all communications to you. The children will be provided with materials for writing their letters during the Saturday program. Their letters will be translated in our Kigali office.
- You will receive an initial picture of your child and then one once a year after that.
What can’t I send to my sponsored child?
We make every attempt to allow your relationship to grow organically, not impeded by outside encumbrances, but our overriding obligation is the child’s safety. The following are the things that we will not forward onto the child:
- Culturally inappropriate materials
- Materials that encourage unhealthy lifestyle choices
- Anything that would threaten the safety of the child
- Anything that encourages unsafe behavior, such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs or violence
- Materials with a political agenda
- Materials containing nudity or inappropriate dress
How do I know my support will reach my sponsored child?
Village Makeover has many layers of accountability. We do not work independently in these communities, we work directly with the school system, the teachers, the mayor (chief) of the community, the pastors and parents. We believe our greatest success is from involving the community in the lives of these children, not by being an organization a continent away making the rules. We also have our community liaison who reports directly to the Kigali office. We don’t just send your money into the community, it goes directly to our staff office in Kigali and they distribute it in person from there. We also have a USA Board of Directors that we answer to. We have worked to build trust in all areas of our organization so that we can be a trust worthy place for you to invest. Please feel free to ask for references from those listed above.
Are my contributions and gifts tax-deductible?
Yes, your sponsorship dollars and gifts are tax-deductible. Village Makeover is a 501c(3) non-profit. Upon your request Village Makeover will provide you with a year end giving summary. As long as you don’t receive any goods or services of value for your contribution then your tax deduction will be valid. This is in compliance with the 1993 Revenue Reconciliation Act.