Sponsorship FAQ
What makes India Partners' sponsorship program unique?
Because the need for help in India is so great and so varied, India Partners offers four sponsorship programs: for children, widows, pastors and school teachers.
Why does India Partners have these different sponsorship programs?
The bottom line is hope. When anyone--child, widow or teacher--gets sponsored through one of India Partners' sponsorship programs, that person has hope for the future.
- Children. India Partners sponsors children for many reasons, not the least of which is to provide the basics of life: food, clothing, basic medical care and an education. An underfed, malnourished child has a hard time in school, and more children are malnourished in India than in any other country in the world.
- Widows. When Indian women are widowed, even those from the middle classes, their societal and economic status is lowered. Sadly, women in this situation often do not have the means or ability to find employment in Indian society. As a result, they become significantly poorer economically and lose self-respect in the process. They are reduced to second-class citizenship within Indian culture.
- School Teachers. The government of India mandates a public education for all children, but to this day has not built schools or funded teachers throughout the subcontinent, especially in remote rural areas. Teachers supported through India Partners teach at Christian schools, for which there is little or no Indian government funding.
Now I see the need. How does sponsorship benefit each?
- Children. As mentioned above, sponsorship provides food, clothing, basic medical care and schooling. In fact, a requirement for a child to remain in our sponsorship program is that he or she stay in school and not spend the day laboring in the fields or begging on the streets.
- Widows. Sponsorship provides food, clothing, basic medical care and, in some cases, job training.
- School Teachers. Sponsorship subsidizes living expenses for teacher and family. This enables teachers to remain in remote, rural areas where the need for basic education is greatest but the pay is not as high as it is in urban areas.
I want to sponsor! What is the investment on my part?
Sponsorship is a modest commitment of your time and money. To sponsor a child or widow is $30 per month; to sponsor a pastor or school teacher is $60 per month for a full sponsorship, or $30 per month for a shared sponsorship. We hope that the investment of your time includes praying for your sponsoree. Your sponsoree will write you at least twice each year and you are encouraged but not required to reply. You will also receive an annual photo of your sponsoree. Over time, many of India Partners' sponsors have developed ongoing friendships with their sponsoree.
May I choose whether to sponsor a child, widow, pastor or school teacher?
Yes.
May I choose a specific child, widow, disabled person or teacher to sponsor?
For children, you may specify the gender and age of the child you would like to sponsor. We then provide you with a sponsoree who most closely matches your request. The sponsorship of widows, pastors and school teachers is prioritized by our partner agencies in India on the basis of most urgent need.
Are all sponsorees Christian?
Our sponsored pastors and school teachers are Christian. Many of our sponsored children and widows are not Christian, but all of them are given the opportunity to hear the Gospel. We believe in helping the people of India help themselves, with God's grace. All are served regardless of caste, religion, gender or creed.
How much of my money goes to India for the sponsoree?
India Partners is proud that fully 87% of every monthly sponsorship goes to India in support of your sponsored child, widow, pastor or school teacher.
How can I make sure that my funds are being used properly?
We are called India Partners because we maintain long-term relationships with our partner agencies in India. We know the directors of our partner agencies personally, and they know us. We are truly "partnering with the people of India in ministry." We at India Partners can vouch from these personal, long-term relationships that the directors and staff of our partner agencies are devout Christians and responsible administrators. Volunteer team members who have visited our partner agencies have confirmed the same. So the foundation of our sponsorships is constructed on the bedrock of trust.
Upon that trust our sponsorship programs are built with integrated supervision and reporting requirements. Many sponsored children are under the direct daily care and supervision of one of our partner agencies. Sponsored children not under that direct daily care, and sponsored adults--widows, pastors and school teachers--are visited by a partner agency at least monthly to ensure that sponsorship funds are put to the designated uses and that the sponsoree's welfare is being met.
In addition, both India Partners and all of our partner agencies in India are properly registered with their respective governments as non-profit charities. India Partners' and all of our partner agencies' accounts are independently audited every year. Due to this trust, supervision and accountability, you can rest assured that your sponsorship funds are being used wisely and properly.
How long do sponsorships continue?
You decide. You may discontinue your sponsorship at any time, upon notice to India Partners. We do ask that you sponsor for at least one year, if possible. Most of our sponsors have enjoyed sponsoring for many years, but the choice is up to you. When you terminate the sponsorship, the sponsoree receives no further funds until a new sponsor is located. However, do not let that deter you from joining one of our sponsorship programs. We at India Partners work hard to ensure that when a sponsor relationship is terminated, a new sponsor is matched to the sponsoree as soon as possible.
In most cases, child sponsorships terminate when the child has finished high school and enters the job market, but some sponsors have continued their support as the young adult gets a college education. Widow sponsorships usually continue until the widow's death. The length of pastor and school teacher sponsorships varies with each situation.
I want to help! What payment methods are available? And how often are funds sent to my sponsoree?
You may fund your sponsorship via check, money order, credit card, or electronic funds transfer (EFT) from your checking or savings account. Sponsorship funds are forwarded to India monthly, so your gift gets used without delay.
I'd like my group to sponsor. What can I do?
We invite you to join with your friends to sponsor one or more people. Here are three real-life examples of shared sponsorship among our donors:
- a children's Sunday School class is supporting two children through their weekly offerings
- a women's Bible study group is corporately supporting a child
- a college fraternity has given $500 to be used for child sponsorship
In addition, churches from various denominations are sponsoring people through India Partners, and a growing number of businesses and professional offices sponsors, too.
Idea! You can arrange a sponsorship group. For example, your group could sponsor one child, widow, disabled person and teacher. Your group will then receive correspondence from our Indian brothers and sisters from a variety of backgrounds and ages. This is a great way to establish multiple relationships, from one group of people to another.
I have more questions.
We will be happy to answer them. Just contact us.
