Watch Larissa’s story
The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in closures of schools and other learning spaces, impacting up to 99% of the students in low and lower-middle income countries. Girls who don’t have the opportunity to stay in school are at higher risk of increased gender-based violence, unplanned pregnancy, trafficking and child marriage. The pandemic will also push nearly 47 million women and girls into extreme poverty this year.
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Hi, my name is
Arif
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Salma
Hi, my name is
Baraka
Did you know
11.2 million
Girls and young women may drop out or not have access to school in 2021 due to the pandemic’s economic impact.
40%
Of the world’s population do not have handwashing facilities with water and soap at home.
16 million
Girls aged 15 to 19 give birth each year.
How sponsoring a child helps
Plan International is supporting remote education in 50 countries by offering virtual learning and distribution of home-based educational materials. We also train front-line responders to protect children, particularly girls, from violence, sexual exploitation, abuse and more.
We give girls and young women continued access to sexual & reproductive health information & services, working with teachers, parents, health care providers and partners to ensure children get the support they need during the pandemic. Additionally, we are working with communities, governments and partners to provide handwashing facilities, hygiene kits (including menstrual hygiene supplies) and age responsive health information.
Sponsor a child and help transform their community
Sponsor a child and help transform their community
Keeping children health
Plan International Canada is committed to overcoming this global health crisis by providing hygiene kits, hand washing stations and more to vulnerable communities. Help us protect even more children’s health.
Reducing gender-based violence
Due to the pandemic, even more girls are at risk of threats like child marriage or trafficking. When you sponsor a child, it helps us work at all levels within a community to end gender-based violence.
Providing continued access to education
With the rise of COVID-19, an increased number of children are out of school. The UN estimates that at least 500 million children and youth are currently excluded from distance learning solutions. Sponsoring a child can help them to continue their education in a safe environment, and pursue more opportunities in the future.
Ensuring safety for children
Education helps reduce the likelihood of young girls being subjected to female genital mutilation, child marriage and violence at home. Girls have a right to live free of violence and make their own decisions about their own futures. Sponsoring a child helps us work within that community to protect the safety of all children, especially girls.
My brothers and sisters are all in school, just from that statement from my sponsor.
A former sponsored child from Uganda. When Ronald received a photo from his sponsor, he had no idea it would change his life. “He took a picture of a pig, I remember it was a white pig, a long one. I really loved it and I promised myself that when I grew up, I would set up a pigsty of my own – and I did it!” With the income from his piggery, he’s now able to pay for his younger sisters and brothers to go to school.
– Ronald, former sponsored child
Thanks to the projects they sponsor, I have become wiser about my rights.
A member of our women’s football initiative. She is learning through sport about gender issues. “The project tells us about violence and women’s rights while teaching us how to play football.” Sanmya knows that Plan International initiatives are only possible thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.
– Sanmya, sponsored child from Brazil
With these lessons, I want to give something back to my village for having received so much in my life.
Facing the challenges of poverty, as well as a physical disability, she was one of the first children in her village sponsored by Plan International. After finishing school and graduating from the sponsorship program, Tort began working at her local school library. She now volunteers to teach English classes 3 times a day at the primary school and is working towards making her dream of becoming a teacher come true! Thanks to her child sponsor, Tort is well on her way to making all her dreams come true.
– Tort, former sponsored child from Cambodia
How does Child Sponsorship work?
Child Sponsorship provides you with a special opportunity to have a unique one-to-one connection with a child and their family in one of the countries where Plan International works. As part of your sponsorship, you can exchange letters and photos, and build a meaningful connection. Each year, you’ll receive updates on the progress of your sponsored child and their community so you can see how your sponsored child is growing and learning. Child Sponsorship programming allows us to combine sponsor contributions to increase impact and establish a trusted presence within communities. This helps secure further grant funding from institutional and government donors to grow community-based development projects, like building schools or water taps, which supports sponsored children and their entire communities.
If I sponsor a child, how long of a commitment do I need to make?
The length of your commitment is up to you. Many sponsors have been with us for many years, which allows us to make long-term commitments to our partner communities. If you choose to end your sponsorship for any reason, please inform us at 1-800-387-1418 so we can introduce your sponsored child to a new sponsor.
Do sponsorship contributions go directly to one child?
No. When you sponsor a child, your contributions not only support the child you are sponsoring, but they also support the whole community! Your contributions collectively support a wide range of programs in your sponsored child's community. With more than 80 years of experience, we know that the best way to help every child unleash their potential is to engage families and entire communities in the change, so they can carry on – and further – the positive impact for many years to come.