Child Sponsorship Transformed to Reach More Children in Need
Save the Children pioneered child sponsorship in the early 1900s, bringing education, protection and safety to more than 1 billion children.
However, after several years of internal consultation and review, we have found that the operational costs associated with traditional child sponsorship — delivering letters, and updates on thousands of kids — meant less funding going directly to programmes and, thus, to children.
In addition, challenges like extreme weather, conflict and growing inequality are leading more children and families to migrate, and the traditional sponsorship model lacks the flexibility to respond to their needs.
Therefore, we have decided to transform our support model from traditional child sponsorship to a more flexible, unrestricted, and efficient model to support the collective needs of children and communities facing the most urgent challenges today.
Since 1st January 2026, fundraising initiatives for the Global Child Sponsorship Programme, updates on the child participating in that programme, and correspondence will be discontinued. Rest assured, we are not leaving any sponsored children or communities behind — our programmes continue to serve these children as long as they choose to remain enrolled in our programmes.
Journey Around the World: Our Ongoing Commitments to Child Sponsorship and Other International Programmes
Our child sponsors will become part of Journey Around the World, a new innovative programme from Save the Children Hong Kong, to meet the ongoing needs of children in China, Ethiopia, Nepal, Vietnam, Zambia and around the world.
It addresses region-specific issues such as left-behind children, education for ethnic minorities, malnutrition, child marriage, and school dropouts, providing long-term and effective support.
Most importantly, this programme continues to support child sponsorship and other international programmes.
Thank You for Standing With the Children and Bringing Them Hope
We know our child sponsors and the children in our programmes have cherished the emotional connections fostered by sponsorship over the years, and we thank you for your kindness and generosity. This decision was not made lightly, but we believe this is the right step to help us drive progress for children today and for years to come.
We have contacted all our current child sponsors about the transition. We are more than happy to assist you at [email protected] or +852 3160 8686, Monday-Friday, 9:30am-6pm, if you have any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS CHILD SPONSORSHIP?
Many charities offer the opportunity to sponsor individual children and keep in touch with them.
Save the Children is transitioning to a more flexible fundraising approach that will meet the most urgent needs of children and communities, ensuring the sustainability of our programmes and maximising the impact of every donation.
I’M CURRENTLY SPONSORING A CHILD - WHAT IS CHANGING?
As our world changes due to factors like extreme weather, conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic, the needs of the children, families and communities we work with change, too. That’s why we’re transforming the way we work — and how we share updates with you about your impact — to best meet these changing needs.
Instead of the traditional Child Sponsorship Programme and receiving updates on one child participating in that programme, Journey Around the World shows you stories of multiple children and communities your donation benefits. We will share updates with you about your impact, with a focus on the programmes you help make possible.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE CHILD I WAS SPONSORING?
ARE THERE ALTERNATIVE WAYS FOR ME TO SUPPORT THE CHILDREN BESIDES CHILD SPONSORSHIP?
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRADITIONAL CHILD SPONSORSHIP AND JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD?
| Traditional Child Sponsorship | Journey Around the World |
| Operational costs are relatively high | Operational costs are relatively low |
| Only 20% of global sponsors send correspondence, creating inequities and negative feelings, such as jealousy and sadness, among children | Ensure equality among all children so that they feel more included and engaged in our programmes |
| The programme is limited to impact area | The programme is flexible across countries |
| Supporter communication includes updates on the child, correspondence and Annual Status Report | Supporter communication includes more stories, regular updates and annual updates |