Answers to the most frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to sponsor a child?

The cost is $30.00 a month. You may think of it as $1.00 a day. 

How do I make out my support cheque?

Please make your cheque payable to: International Child Care Ministries 

Should I send my cheque each month?

Postal expense can be reduced if you send your support quarterly, semi-annually or annually. However, if monthly is more convenient you may send it monthly.

You may use your credit card and pay online.  See Donate On line."      Or you may sign up by Automatied Bank Withdrawal - See "Donate by Cheque" -  Sign Up  -  Fill in the form and send it with a VOID cheque to our Office:  "ICCM, 4315 Village Centre Court, Mississauga, ON L4Z 1S2. 

Please note: We have no means to cover missed payments. If you forget to pay, your child may go hungry. Therefore, please be sure to send your payments at the beginning of the period for which you are paying, whether it be monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. 

Are envelopes provided for my remittance?

Yes, you will receive some with your welcome package.  Additional envelopes are available upon request.   Receipts are issued at year end or upon request.

Will a notice be sent when the support payment is due?

No, but a reminder will be sent if your support is one month or more behind.  It will state your paid up to date.  It is a great idea to mark your calendar when your next payment is due.

What proportion of the support money reaches my child?

Each month 80% of the support money is send to the Field Coordinator to help the child.  5% goes into a scholarship fund to help the children in secondary (high) school.  15% is used for administrative expenses, including advertising and home office expenses.  All accounts, both on the field and in the home office, are audited regularly.

What does my support money do?

It helps the child in his/her own family by providing better food, clothing, and medical care.  The child receives money for school fees, books, and supplies.  This assistance helps prevent malnutrition, gives the child self-respect, hope for the future, a feeling of well-being and the knowledge that someone loves and cares about him/her.

Support money also provides for our own schools on certain fields and enables them to serve a well-balanced meal to the students.

Children are nurtured spiritually.  They learn about Christ at school and many come to know Him as Saviour.  In order to be eligible for sponsorship, the children must attend a Free Methodist Sunday school and church regularly.

Does anyone else sponsor my child?

No, each child is assigned to only one individual, family, or group at a time.  They are flesh-and-blood children with a name.  They are known by our school directors, missionaries and church people.

How long does my child receive sponsorship assistance?

Sponsorship assistance is normally given to a child until he/she completes high school.

Will my child write to me?

Yes, under normal conditions several times a year.  Your letters may be a few months or more in coming because of the distance some children live from the coordinator. The letters must first be translated before being sent to our office.  We update the child's data in our computer and then send the letter on to you.  If your child has not yet learned how to write, the letters will be written by a family member or a friend telling you about the child.  In countries at war, letters are not received as often.  In addition, you should receive an updated photo of your child every two years.

May I write to my child?

Certainly.  Your child will know your name and treasure the thought that you really care.  You may write to your child and insert it in an envelope with the child's name and number on the outside.  Put this in a mailing envelope and send to the following address:

Please do not include any part of your address in your letter or on the envelope going to your child.

All correspondence between you and your child must be forwarded through our office.  This is for your protection since your address could be used by someone else for begging purposes.  The Coordinator gives your letter and its translation to your child.

Am I required to write to my child?

No, however, letter writing can be very meaningful for both you and your child.  The children really enjoy knowing about their sponsors.

How long will it take my letter to reach my child?

Probably about two months or more because your letter must be translated before it can be given to your child.

What shall I write about?

What should I avoid writing to my child?

Please do not mention anything about material possessions or our affluent society.  Write clear, simple English so the translators will not have difficulty in translating your letter into the local language.

Who administers the funds of the sponsorship program?

Each country has a Field Coordinator who administers the funds.  In some countries the Coordinator is a missionary.  On the remaining fields qualified nationals, working with the mission treasurers, coordinate the sponsorship program.

How long should I continue with my sponsorship?

We hope your commitment to sponsor a child is for at least a year, and if possible, until the child finishes high school.

If at any time you feel unable to continue as a sponsor, you may discontinue by writing or calling International Child Care Ministries' office.

May a special contribution be made to the program?

Yes.  There are special needs or projects in various areas of the Ministries where extra funds are urgently needed for feeding children, caring for them medically, or opening a new school or hostel.

What if my contributions to the Child Care Sponsorship Program cannot be used for the purpose I intended?

(e.g.  If I have paid in advance and my sponsor child deletes from the program).

We will endeavour to use your contribution as you have designated.  If, for reasons beyond our control, it is not possible to use the funds as designated, we reserve the right to use the funds for other similar Child Care projects.

Please contact us if you have more questions.