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United Christian Church of India
Child Sponsorship Scheme
Why sponsor A Child?
Child sponsorship Schemes have been run by many organisations over the years. Some have worked well and others have come up against major difficulties.
Because this is a relatively small scheme, and because of our personal friendship as a Church with UCCI, many of the children actually get to meet their sponsors and are able to gain a broader understanding of life in Europe through letters and photographs sent by the sponsors.
If do not wish to sponsor an individual child you can still support the work of UCCI by contributing to a central fund which aids in the purchase of school books, building maintainance and teacher salaries.
Information on the children
Education is made available to all children between 1st and 10th classes. At Kethanakonda, Vijayawada and Hyderabad United Christian Church of India run their own schools while children attend local schools at the other centres. Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty in India. Although free primary education is a right in India in practice some 25% of children receive little or no education. With education potential salaries can be 5-10 times greater than unskilled labour. One educated family member in employment can break the poverty cycle for whole families.
Christianity is the central core of the value system. Sensitive training in Christian values, worship, prayer and the bible is given. This is a unique opportunity in a Hindu society.
Selection is carried on by a board of leaders headed by John Winston. As this is a rural area family ties have not generally broken down - less than 10% of the children admitted are true orphans. However all do come from very poor families. Often a young mother has been abandoned and is living as part of an extended family with a relation. One or two family members are admitted to the school giving relief for all and potential for the future. Only the neediest children are admitted and there is a constant waiting list.
Care is provided by a comprehensive staff of Hostel wardens, teachers cooks, watchmen and supervisors. Great emphasis is placed on older children being responsible for younger ones. There is a tremendous sense of community and real friendship in all of the schools.
Recognition is given to all the schools by the State government and they do provided salaries for some teachers. Examinations for higher education are taken and many of the children have proceeded to high school, technical and professional training. The schools are registered with the appropriate Indian authorities.
Sponsors are given an initial data sheet with a photograph and a brief history of the child. Normally they receive two letters per year from a child. Limited resources especially concerning translation mean that individual correspondence is not often entered into although sponsors are welcome to and encouraged to write and especially send family photos etc… A number of sponsors have been to India as part of a visiting team.
Children sometimes do leave - remember they are not all orphans. Sometimes family situations improve or there is a change in the home situation. Permanent removal is always followed up and great efforts are made to maximise each child’s opportunities. In practice, culturally, female children are under greater pressure to leave school earlier and the staff work hard to counter this. However, many of the sponsors have now had the same child for up to ten years and some are providing additional support for their higher education.
The main reasons for leaving the school are:
-finishing 10th class which is the equivalent of our own 5th Form / GCSE qualifications.
- The child’s family migrating out of the state in a search for employment.
- A change in the economic situation of the family enabling them to pay for their child’s schooling.
Sponsors can cancel at any time and we try to continue to support the child centrally until a replacement sponsor is found.The homes in India have much room for expansion and plenty of children to fill the places - they just need the financial backing
An annual visit is made to India to ensure standards are being maintained and to discuss future plans.
How do I join?
The Costs are kept to an absolute minimum and currently would be £15 per month. This is a lot cheaper than many other such schemes and reflects the fact that we currently have no administration charges.If a child is seen to be very bright they are encouraged to continue their education beyond 10th class. Sponsors are asked to give a voluntary raise in contributions to £15 per month to pay for the increase costs of sending the child to college or university.If you wish to Sponsor a child please contact frontline@cfc-net.org or Telephone 02890 671838 for further information or you can get a copy of a standing order form HERE
What do I get out of it?
Because of the way this particular scheme works we hope that you receive some insight into real life in India.
Realistically, child sponsorship is not about the sponsor it is about the child and therefore if you sponsor a child they will not be your property, or your adopted offspring. However,communication from you is much appreciated by the children who are keen to find out about the world around them. They enjoy getting postcards and seeing how people live in other countries. You will receive a yearly update on a child and some letters.
We charge no administration costs - so we try to keep correspondence with sponsors at an acceptable minimum.
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For further information regarding any aspect of Child Sponsorship please contact:
(028) 9067 1838 Ext 851
The United Christian Church of India also runs an elderly feeding program several medical projects including a small hospital and village visits. Please contact us for further information on any of these projects.