Sponsorship
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific benefits will the child I sponsor receive?
How long should my sponsorship last?
How important is prayer in COTN sponsorship?
How can I communicate with my sponsored child?
Will my child write to me?
What other opportunities will I have to learn about the child I’m helping?
May I send gifts to my child?
Can we visit our child?
How does COTN ensure that my support actually benefits the child I sponsor?
Does all $32 or $43 go directly to my child?
What specific benefits will the child I sponsor receive?
The child you sponsor through COTN will receive opportunities and services that are not available to most of the world’s poorest children. For a few of the specific benefits, see below:
- Village Partnership (Dominican Republic, Malawi, Sierra Leone and Uganda) $32 a month Your monthly gift will help meet your child’s physical, educational, medical, and spiritual needs.
- Full-Care Children’s Home (Malawi, Sierra Leone and Uganda) $43 a month
Your monthly gift will help an orphaned child by supporting a full-care program in our
children’s homes. Housing, food, medical care, schooling, clothing, and spiritual discipleship for your child are all included. Every child in our full-care homes is assigned multiple sponsors which enables us to provide quality care.
How long should my sponsorship last?
Our desire is to see these children actively participating in their society. (For some, this might be 16 years old, others 18 or 21.) If we determine your child no longer requires support or if a child moves out of the village or area where our program operates, we will contact you regarding sponsoring another child. We also have a University Student and Skill Center programs for qualifying students and more information will be sent to you regarding this if the child you sponsor qualifies.
How important is prayer in COTN sponsorship?
Very—we not only desire your financial support; we highly value your prayer support as well.
How can I communicate with my sponsored child?
We encourage you to write letters to your child. Our in-country office will serve as a translation base, and we will translate letters both coming and going. It may take several months to hear back from your child as our mail is usually sent with staff or teams traveling to our countries.
Will my child write to me?
Yes, your child will communicate to you at least three times a year through letters, drawings, and a photo, as well as responding to letters you have written.
What other opportunities will I have to learn about the child I’m helping?
You will receive updates on our programs and your child. You can learn about where your child lives, read stories about the villages and children, and see photos on our website. Also, you will receive our general COTN mailings which will update you on what is happening in the family of COTN.
May I send gifts to my child?
You may send flat items with your letters to our USA office in no larger than a 6x9-inch envelope. We will also identify a special Christmas project each year. You will receive a letter regarding this in October. We do not encourage sending packages directly to our countries as our in-country staff may be charged a customs fee. * If you visit your child in country, you are welcome to bring a gift. You may also give to the birthday fund — for more information please contact our Sponsorship Department at 360-698-7227.
Can we visit our child?
Visiting your child can be an exciting and encouraging experience for both you and your sponsored child and we greatly encourage it. For more information on how to set up a trip, please contact us at 360-698-7227.
How does COTN ensure that my support actually benefits the child I sponsor?
We have competent staff in each of our countries who make sure our programs are operating effectively. There are strict financial accountability guidelines in place to ensure that funds are used appropriately.
Does all $32 or $43 go directly to my child?
Your donation will go into the children’s fund for the village in which your child lives. Your child will receive the services/benefits in that program through your contributions. It is our desire to meet the needs of all children in each of our programs.