Please find below a list of questions and answers regarding sponsorship queries. For more FAQs about Fields of Life click here.
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What is Child Sponsorship?
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How much does it cost?
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Why does the fee increase for a secondary school child?
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What if I sponsor a child in secondary school and they wish to go on to University?
What is Child Sponsorship?
Child Sponsorship allows you (donor) to give monthly/yearly payments to Fields of Life to help and support a child through education. Not only does it help the child, but it also can help the family, school and community involved.
How much does it cost?
With Fields of Life, it cost £14/€18/AU$36 a month for a primary school child, however with a secondary school child the fee increases to £20/€25/AU$50 a month. This amount of money will provide an education, a uniform each year, school books and pencils, a meal a day and clean water (as usually a borehole is drilled within our projects). You are able to pay yearly £168/€216/AU$420 for a primary school child and £240/€300/AU$600 for a secondary school child.
Why does the fee increase for a secondary school child?
The fee increases for you because the fees increase for the child. The primary school fees are much less that the secondary school fees and this is because most Fields of Life secondary schools have a lot more to offer. Some have computer suites, science labs etc. with all this the fees increase, however how can you teach computers without a computer? Also as a child gets older the more scholastic materials are needed. They swap from a pencil to a pen and from 3 books to many. This all included within the fee.
What if I sponsor a child in secondary school and they wish to go on to University?
This is no problem, if you wish to support your child/teenager through higher education. However, Fields of Life do not have any Universities and therefore the responsibility lies on the child/student to pay their own fees via us. Our sponsorship co-ordinator will assess the situation and make sure the student has the right frame of mind to go through university or a vocational course. Many are very eager to get an opportunity to go on to a higher education. The fees for each university varies and it is best to seek the advice of Fields of Life before deciding.
How many children do you support?
At Fields of Life we are currently supporting approximately 3390 children in East Africa. The majority of sponsorship is in Uganda, however we have sponsorship in Kenya also. We are always excited for new prospects with sponsorship in new countries.
How is a child selected for sponsorship?
Not all children immediately qualify for sponsorship. Before you select any child, they must meet the following criteria.
- Children must be between the classes of Nursery to Primary 3
- No children over the age of 12 years should be selected unless the sponsor has specifically requested the child.
- Only 1 child per family should be selected, to ensure as many families as possible benefit from the scheme
- Those selected must be permanent residents in their village
- If a large number of children are being sponsored from one area/school, an equal number of boys and girls should be chosen.
- Of course children in greatest need / orphans should be given first priority
These conditions are subject to change, according to special requests from donors, authorisation from management or FOL Ireland.
How long does my sponsorship period last?
You are not contracted in to anything with Fields of Life, however we do advise that if you are serious about sponsoring a child, for the child to benefit from the programme that you commit to it for at least a year.
If I cannot keep sponsoring my child, what will happen?
If you are struggling with payments or you come into financial difficultly or you move to a different country or you simply wish not to continue sponsoring a child anymore please inform us immediately that your payments will be stopping. Therefore, we will then be able to allocate another sponsor to the child involved, so that the child does not miss out in going to school. They will become a top priority.
Can I write to my sponsor child?
Yes, you can. If you wish to send a letter to your child please send it to: Fields of Life, Sponsorship Team, Shalom Guesthouse, Tank Hill Road, Muyenga, P.O. Box 886, Kampala, Uganda, East Africa. The letter you write should clearly state the child’s name and reference number. Please do not write your home address on the letter, this is for confidentiality reasons and for your protection. Please do not send money to East Africa
Can I send gifts?
We would not advise you to send gifts, as the post can be unreliable at times. However, if you wish to send some items make sure they are flat and can be fitted in an A4 envelope. Example stickers, colouring book, reading book etc. Send to the above Kampala address.
How often will I hear from my child?
You will receive 2 letters and a Christmas card from your child. The first letter you will receive in March/April, the second letter July/August. Please be patient if there is a bit of delay.
If I am in my sponsored child's country, can I visit them?
Yes, you can. Simply email the Fields of Life office info@fieldsoflife.com or contact 028 3839 0395, stating who you are, your child's name and school and where you intend in staying. Please inform the office 3 weeks before, so that our sponsorship co-ordinator is able to arrange this meeting and that there are not disappointments.
Does child sponsorship work?
Yes it does, without a doubt. Approximately 3300 children in East Africa are being given a chance to make it in our world we live in today. Giving a child an education, is giving them a future. If you see a bright future for a child in East Africa, click on the Sponsor Now button.