FAQ

How much does it cost to sponsor a child through World Vision?

Child sponsorship with World Vision costs Php750 per month. To make the most of your monthly sponsorship donation, we combine it with other donations to invest in lasting, long-term resources for your sponsored child, their community, and other vulnerable children.

How are children chosen for sponsorship?

World Vision works with communities in the Philippines where there are poorest of the poor.We partner with local staff and families to identify areas of greatest need and then the community selects children from those areas for sponsorship. We then ask the children’ s families if they want to be part of the sponsorship program and explain how it works.

How am I helping the child, his/her family and community?

By pooling together all sponsorship donations, children, families and communities enjoy the following benefits:

  • Access to education, healthcare and value formation
  • Initiatives for child’s participation and protection
  • Leadership and livelihood trainings
  • Other community-based development interventions

How do I know that there is a real child and my contribution gets to him?

You will receive the child’ s picture folder upon giving your first donation.You may also exchange correspondences with him or her by responding to his first letter.

You will see the progress of your sponsored child through the annual progress reports through mail. It contains the child’ s latest photo, average grade, community updates and message from him or her. You may also plan to visit him/her. Just contact us one month before your proposed schedule for the arrangement.

How does World Vision Safeguard Children and Sponsors?

It is at the heart of World Vision to create an environment where children and adults can live life to the fullest. With our Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy, we are committed to safeguard and protect vulnerable children and adults, doing no form of harm and ensuring zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse. 

We undertake prevention and safeguarding trainings to provide basic guidelines to ensure the safety, dignity and privacy of both children and sponsors, requiring all staff and volunteers to agree to observe policies and understand the disciplinary actions for any policy violations. 

Included in the policy also are screening measures such as behavioural-based interview questions, identity and background Checks which are used when hiring for positions that involves working directly with children.  

Strict safeguards are also in place to protect children during visits. All visits are organized and visitors are accompanied by World Vision employees. Protocols are also in place to ensure that photos and video recordings of sponsored children are used appropriately, and letters are opened and carefully checked.  

World Vision prioritizes protection of vulnerable children, sponsors, communities and its own staffs.

Read the full text Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy.

How long will my sponsorship last?

Your sponsorship may last to several months, up to several years depending on your circumstances and that of your sponsored child. Your sponsorship may conclude for the following reasons, but you and your sponsored child will treasure your newfound friendship for a lifetime:

I am self-sufficient! – In most cases, your sponsored child may finish school, begin to earn an income, are able to support themselves—the start of a new and independent life.

My community has “graduated” – Our goal is to help the child, his/ her family and the community to break the cycle of poverty so they can look at the future with hope. When this goal has been achieved, World Vision can move to serve other children and communities that are in need of help.

I moved to a different community – Circumstances may arise when a child must leave the sponsorship program. This happens when a child’s family may move out of the community into an area where sponsorship is not available.

Each child’s situation is unique. No matter how long your sponsorship lasts. Your gift of love is sure to change your sponsored child’s life forever. Should any of these circumstances occur, we will let you know and give you the opportunity to sponsor another child who needs your help.

What if I miss my sponsorship pledge?

We understand that sometimes your budget gets a little tight, so let us know when there is a problem. If we do not hear from you, we will remind you through a letter or by phone. We will, however, ensure that assistance to your sponsored child continues.

We depend on your regular sponsorship pledges to carry on our work with children and their communities. When a sponsor decides to cancel their his/her support, World Vision starts looking for another sponsor. Please do call our Donor Care Team so we can discuss other options for continuing child sponsorship.

How do I send my donation?

The easiest way to make your regular sponsorship pledges is to have them deducted automatically from your credit card. This method saves you time and effort and helps World Vision save more of your money for needy children.

You may choose to send your sponsorship pledges on annual, quarterly or monthly basis whichever is most suitable and convenient for you.

How can I be updated about my sponsored child?

Child Sponsorship is about building relationships- bringing your world and theirs closer together.

As a Child Sponsor, you are part of a special relationship, which will become more meaningful as time goes by. You will receive letters and updates from your sponsored child and community. At the same time, you can write, send gifts and visit your sponsored child by coordinating with us.

How do I send letters to my sponsored child?

Your sponsored child and family would love to hear from you. It lets them know and feel that somebody cares for them. Through your letters, you can motivate them to do well in school. Share happy anecdotes you have experienced. Impart simple lessons they can treasure as they grow up. Talk about your family members, your friends, your interests and anything pleasant they can relate to.

Try not to place emphasis on your personal possessions. To your sponsored child’s family, you will seem to be extremely wealthy. It is more important for them to know who you are.

What can I ask my sponsored child?

You may ask simple questions about his/her studies, favorites, hobbies, family and friends.

Also, be sensitive when writing or asking about religious beliefs or church membership of the child’s family. World Vision is a multi-denominational Christian organization, which helps people regardless of their religious beliefs. We hope people will see our faith by the way we work and respect one another through our relationships.

Do not try to cover too much ground in the first few letters. Over a period of time you should be able to learn quite a lot about your sponsored child.

Note: If you don’t have much time to write a personalized letter, you may email it to wv_phil(at)wvi(dot)org enabled to view it and we shall deliver a printed copy of your email to your sponsored child.

When can I expect a reply?

You should receive a response from your sponsored child within two months with due consideration to the distance of the rural communities from the city. If you haven’t heard anything after two months, please contact us and we shall look into it for you.

You will also receive two (2) cards in a year- Christmas Card and an Annual Progress Report to keep track on your child’s state.

The number of letters you receive may depend on the number of letters you send that is why we encourage you to correspond more. However, you also have to take into consideration the limitations of postal services in these remote areas. Letter translations take time as well. (You will receive the original letter along with the translation.)

Note: Do not forget to let us know when you change your mailing address and contact information.

I’m too young to write….
If your sponsored child is unable to read or write, someone will help him or her read your letter and respond. This may be a teacher, a family member or World Vision staff member. Usually, they write in behalf of your child.

*Be patient as your child may still be developing literacy skills. Your letters and their writing is also a great way for them to exercise and improve on their writing abilities. This is already your personal way of supporting their education!

Can I send gifts to my sponsored child?

Some sponsors want to express their love for their sponsored child by sending gifts during special occasions. Well- intended gifts can also be an added cost when there is a need to pay the delivery cost, especially for big parcels.

The best way to help your sponsored child is through your monthly sponsorship. This together with your messages of support and encouragement will definitely show that you care.

Should you still want to send a gift to your sponsored child, you may do so through our Donor Service. The sponsor shall shoulder additional costs for shipment/ delivery. For the coordination and sending of your gift to your sponsored child, you will need to call our Donor Service at 8372-7777/ Smart mobile:  #0998 844 3091/ Globe mobile:  #0917 859 4126 or e-mail wv_phil(at)wvi(dot)org

Can I meet my sponsored child?

Yes, you can meet and visit your sponsored child. If you want to meet your sponsored child in person, we will make the necessary visit arrangements. You may contact the Donor Care Team at 8372-7777/ Smart mobile:  #0998 844 3091/ Globe mobile:  #0917 859 4126.

After its confirmation and approval, Guidelines on Sponsorship Visit and Behavior Protocols will be sent for your review and reference.

It is very important that you contact us at least one month in advance. This will allow us enough time to make all the arrangements. Communications take a lot longer, especially in the remote areas.

A member of the World Vision Staff will accompany you throughout the meeting in order to help overcome possible language barriers, as well as fulfilling the various expectations of the meeting. We want the event to be a pleasant and memorable experience for you, and for your sponsored child.

However, based on World Vision’s Child Protection Policy, we discourage sponsors’ visit to the home of their sponsored child. (A copy of the Child Protection Policy is available upon request) Aside from arousing jealousy in the community, this might also cause anxiety and discomfort on the part of the family due to their extreme poverty.

We also want to prevent possible attempts of additional solicitation that might put pressure on the sponsor. Instead, arrangements can be made for you to meet the child with their guardian at another location. You will cover all costs associated with bringing your sponsored child to meet you. Sponsors who have taken the time to meet their sponsored child have found the experience very rewarding.

How can I help more?

Every year, World Vision commits to helping an average of 4,000 children waiting for sponsorship. However, we realized more children are still drawn away from school and deserve a better future.  Aside from sponsoring a child, you can help more children by:

1. Encouraging your family, friends, and officemates to become World Vision sponsor. Call 8372-7777, 0927-422-6071, 0917-625-0865 to request for extra brochures and other collaterals. We may also contact and explain the mechanics to them by giving us their contact details.

2. Linking World Vision to your company for corporate partnership, either through Child Sponsorship or Sectoral Projects on education, health and/or livelihood. Should you request, our Corporate Partnerships Team would be glad to conduct a presentation and prepare tie-up proposal(s) for your company.

3. Creating a World Vision link in your blog, web, and social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

4. Follow us online:

5. Endorsing World Vision to be the beneficiary of your Alumni Association, church, company or even family gatherings and events.

6. Giving extra donations to help other children under our care who are still waiting to be sponsored. For fundraising and donation inquiries, view this list: Contact -World Vision PH Telemarketing