Child Sponsorship FAQs
- Nia Bodimeade
- 59 minutes ago
- 4 min read
At Kids Club Kampala, we’ve been running our Child Sponsorship Project for over a decade. It’s a key part of our mission to make education more accessible – because we believe every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.
In East Africa, school fees are expensive and education is out of reach for many families living below the poverty line. In Uganda, only 77.9% of children are enrolled in primary school and just 23.2% are enrolled in secondary education (Uganda Bureau of Statistics, 2025).
Our Child Sponsorship Project makes education accessible for children who would otherwise have no opportunity to go to school. This life-changing project currently supports 181 children – aged 3 to 22 – with school fees, supplies, daily meals, emotional support and much more.
We are committed to being transparent and honest with our supporters. In line with the latest guidance from the Fundraising Regulator, we have collated some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about our Child Sponsorship Project. In this blog post I will outline how our sponsorship model works, how funds are used, and what ethical child sponsorship means in practice.
So, let’s dive in …
FAQs
How are children selected for the Child Sponsorship Project?
Our project is locally-led, with our Ugandan team and trusted volunteers identifying the children most in need, through referrals and community interaction. Their close connection and understanding of the local context makes them well placed to recognise children requiring support. When a new sponsor signs up, we match them with a child on our waiting list, or identify a child in need at primary or secondary level.
Does my sponsorship support only one child, or is it pooled with other funds to benefit the wider community?
Our Child Sponsorship Project works on a one-to-one basis. In this case, 100% of your gift goes towards one child’s school fees, supplies, and well-being. If you choose to send additional gifts, those are also sent directly to your sponsored child. Each child has only one sponsor (or sponsor group), which enables meaningful connections to develop over time. Some sponsors also choose to support more than one child.
Will I have a direct relationship with the sponsored child?
Yes. Sponsors receive regular updates, including an annual report, a personal letter from the child, and photos of any gifted items. When the child graduates, we will provide you with a full summary of their sponsorship journey. Many sponsors find this relationship fulfilling, despite the distance. Our team ensures that you see the real impact of your support.
What happens when a child reaches a particular age?
Each child’s journey is unique. At around age 13, many transition to secondary school, and the regular gift increases slightly (from £28 to £35 per month) to cover extra costs - we’ll always communicate this with you in advance. After O-Levels, typically at age 16-17, some children move on to technical training. Others may need to repeat a year or leave early. At Kids Club Kampala, we’re committed to open communication, both with our sponsors and between our Uganda and UK teams. Whatever path the child’s journey takes, we’ll share updates as they reach key milestones.
What would happen if a child decides to leave the Child Sponsorship Project?
While we encourage children to complete their education, they have the freedom to withdraw from the project at any time. In some cases, older children leave to start work or pursue other opportunities. If this happens, we notify the sponsor and offer you the choice to support another child or end the sponsorship. If you choose to end your sponsorship, you’ll receive a thank you card recognising the valuable difference your support made in that child’s life. We never reallocate funds without your permission.
Does Kids Club Kampala support young adults beyond the Child Sponsorship Project, such as with income generation activities?
Yes, where appropriate and in partnership with the sponsor. After graduation, we may explore next steps like vocational training, university, or small business support - depending on the young person’s goals. If continued support is possible, we’ll discuss this openly with the sponsor. There’s no obligation, only the option to keep supporting the young person’s journey if you wish.
How does Kids Club Kampala ensure child sponsorship is ethical?
We share your interest in ensuring our work is ethical, as well as impactful. Here are some of the things that make our Child Sponsorship Project ethical:
The project is voluntary. Children and their families voluntarily enrol and can withdraw at any time if they choose to do so.
The project is locally-led. The children attend local schools, and our education team members are all Ugandan. The project respects local culture and empowers children to thrive in their own communities.
We have data protection and safeguarding measures in place. To protect the child's privacy, we never share their surname, school name or date of birth. We also never share a sponsor’s full name with any of the children.
If you have any further questions about the ethics of our Child Sponsorship Project, that’s great! We’d love to hear from you and have an open conversation.
My name is Nia, and I’m the new Fundraising Officer at Kids Club Kampala.
I really love working on the Child Sponsorship Project - it is something I feel truly passionate about. Writing this blog post has been a joy, and I hope it has given you a clearer picture of what child sponsorship looks like with Kids Club Kampala.
We care about what our current and future sponsors think, so please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, feedback, or thoughts at nia@kidsclubkampala.org.
Many of the sponsored children have recently graduated from secondary school - confident, educated, and equipped to support themselves and their communities. If you are interested in supporting a child to reach their full potential, now is the perfect time to join us.
For just £28 per month, you could sponsor a child to go to primary school and give them the gift of a brighter future. Click below to learn more and read about some of the lives that have been transformed through our project.
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