Frequently Asked Questions

Sponsor a Child with Sewa Europe

Have questions about sponsoring a child? Find answers about the program, eligibility, sponsorship process, payments, communication, and donor support below.

PROGRAM DETAILS

What is the Sponsor a Child program?

The Sponsor a Child program is a charitable initiative that enables individuals and organisations to provide financial support to children from financially disadvantaged families and help them access education.

How does the Sponsor a Child program work?

The program follows three key stages:

Discover Students

Interested students submit their applications through the designated process. Eligible children are shortlisted following a due-diligence process to ensure transparency and fairness.

Disburse Donations
Once children are shortlisted, donors can select children to support. School payments are made directly to the school wherever applicable. If parents have already paid eligible fees, reimbursement may be provided.

Value Addition
Sponsored children can receive access to educational resources, online learning sessions and other development opportunities. Residential camps are also organised for eligible Class 8 students.

Donors receive reports highlighting the impact of their sponsorship.

Why should I choose the Sponsor a Child program?

The program is built around four key pillars:

Trust | Transparency | Traceability | Teamwork

The model is based on a methodology that has been implemented internationally for more than a decade and has benefited thousands of students. Donors have also appreciated the transparency, communication with children and focus on their overall growth.

WHO CAN BE SPONSORED?

Which children are eligible for sponsorship?

Currently, the program supports students in India who:

Are studying in Classes 1 to 12
Attend a private or government-aided school
Belong to families with an annual income of ₹3 lakh or below

Priority is given to children from families facing circumstances such as:

Single-parent situations
Parents who are divorced or separated
Major medical expenses or terminal illness in the family
Permanent disability within the family

A maximum of two children from one family can be supported.

Can I sponsor a specially abled child?

The program recognises the need for dedicated support for specially abled children. According to the current program information, this possibility is planned for the future.

Why does the program not support undergraduate or postgraduate education?

The program currently focuses on school education. Undergraduate and postgraduate education generally involves higher fees, making it difficult to secure sufficient sponsorship at scale. Students may also have access to education loans and other scholarships. Other allied programs may support the overall development of students at this stage.

Why does the program mainly cover school fees?

For transparency, school fees are paid directly to schools wherever applicable. Some schools include uniforms and educational materials within their fees, meaning these expenses may be covered indirectly for some students.

SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS

How can I contribute?

You can sponsor a child:

As an individual donor
In honour of a loved one
In memory of a loved one

You can also sponsor multiple children.

What types of contributions can I make?

You can choose:

One-time contribution
Periodic short-term contribution
Periodic long-term contribution

How much does it cost to sponsor a child?

Current landing-page messaging:
€1 a day | €365 a year

This amount should be published only after confirmation from the SAC team, as the source FAQ currently states that sponsorship costs vary according to school fees, the child's needs and location.

Can I sponsor more than one child?

Yes. You can sponsor multiple children if you wish to support more than one student.

Can I make a partial donation?

Yes. You can make a partial contribution towards sponsorship. Partial donations are pooled, and Sewa Europe uses the accumulated funds to support school fees for children.

Is there a minimum donation amount?

The current program information does not specify a fixed minimum donation amount. Every contribution towards a child's education is appreciated.

Can donations exceed the school-fee amount?

Yes. According to the current FAQ, amounts exceeding a child's fees may be utilised to support other children or for administrative purposes.

CHOOSING AND SPONSORING A CHILD

Can I choose the child I want to sponsor?

You can search for children using the available options on the website. In many cases, preferences such as age, gender or location may be available. However, final selection may be managed by the sponsoring organisation to ensure equitable distribution of support.

Why isn't the child's photograph shown before sponsorship?

Children's photographs are not displayed before sponsorship to protect their privacy and security and prevent potential misuse of their images.

It also helps ensure that children are supported based on their circumstances and needs rather than their appearance.

Why aren't children's scorecards shown before sponsorship?

A child's academic performance can be influenced by factors such as family background, available resources and individual circumstances. The primary focus of the program is to make education accessible to children in need rather than selecting children based solely on grades.

WHAT DOES A CHILD RECEIVE?

What does my sponsorship contribution cover?

Your sponsorship contribution is primarily used to cover the child's school fees. Where applicable, payments are made directly to the school.

Does the program support children beyond school education?

Yes. The program also focuses on children's development outside the classroom through additional learning and development opportunities.

Are camps arranged for sponsored children?

Yes. A residential camp is conducted during May for Class 8 students.

Are there online learning opportunities?

The program is developing a Learning Management System (LMS) offering different courses and educational resources. Children can have opportunities to participate in online sessions and explore subjects of interest.

AFTER YOU SPONSOR

What happens after I sponsor a child?

After your payment is completed:

You receive access to information about the sponsored child.
You can access the child's information through the sponsorship section of your account.
You may receive the child's midterm and annual grade cards.
You can communicate with the child through letters, emails and cards.
The child may write to you at least once a year.
Younger children may send drawings or short messages.
You may receive greeting cards on special occasions.
You receive periodic newsletters about the Sponsor a Child program and the community where the child lives.

How can I communicate with my sponsored child?

Communication can take place through letters, emails or online platforms facilitated by the Sponsor a Child program.

Volunteers, teachers and older children may assist with translation when required.

Will I receive updates about the child's progress?

Yes. Sponsors receive periodic updates about the child's educational progress, well-being and overall development.

Can I meet my sponsored child?

The current program information provides different possibilities depending on the scale of sponsorship.

For sponsors supporting fewer than 50 children, communication is through letters. Sponsors supporting 50 or more children may have two student meet-ups organised annually.

Phone or online meetings and in-person meetings may also be possible by special arrangement with the Sponsor a Child team.

Can I send additional gifts or donations directly to the child?

No. The program currently accepts donations specifically for school fees rather than direct gifts to individual children.

SPONSORSHIP DURATION

How long does sponsorship last?

You can choose a one-time, short-term periodic or long-term periodic contribution.

Some sponsors choose to support a child for many years, while others contribute for shorter periods.

Can a child leave the program?

Yes. A child may leave the program after an academic year, for example if the family's financial situation improves or the family no longer wishes to receive support.

What happens if my sponsored child leaves the program?

You will be informed, and another child may be assigned to you for continued sponsorship.

Can I discontinue my sponsorship?

Yes. You can log in to your account and select Cancel Sponsorship for the child you are supporting.

If you need assistance, contact the Sponsor a Child team for guidance.

PAYMENTS & DONATIONS

What are the payment methods?

The primary payment method is online payment through the website.

For larger donations, direct bank transfers or cheques may also be accepted.

Can I donate by cash?

No. Cash donations are not accepted for this program. Sewa Europe does not currently run local cash-collection campaigns for Sponsor a Child.

How can I pay online?

Online payments can be made using a credit card or bank account details through the designated payment platform.

Can I donate anonymously?

No. Donor information is required due to applicable Anti-Money Laundering regulations.

Can I sponsor a child as a guest without registering?

No. Registration and donor information are required as part of applicable Anti-Money Laundering requirements.

Will I receive a payment confirmation?

Yes. A payment confirmation receipt will be sent to you by email.

ACCOUNT & SPONSORSHIP ACCESS

Where can I find information about my sponsored child?

Once your payment has been completed, you can log in to your account and access the child's information and donated amount through the Sponsorship section.

What if I forget my login details?

Use the Forgot Password option to reset your password.

If you need additional assistance, contact the Sponsor a Child team. Your login can be reset after verification.

TRANSPARENCY & DONOR BENEFITS

How does Sewa Europe ensure transparency?

The program follows a model based on Trust, Transparency, Traceability and Teamwork.

Beneficiary selection includes due diligence, school fees are paid directly where applicable, and donors receive information about the impact of their support.

Will I receive information about the impact of my sponsorship?

Yes. Donors receive reports and periodic updates highlighting the impact of sponsorship and the child's progress.

Is my sponsorship tax-deductible?

Tax treatment varies depending on the donor's country and applicable regulations. In many countries, contributions to eligible registered nonprofit organisations may qualify for tax benefits.

Please check the applicable rules in your country and with the relevant Sewa Europe entity before claiming a deduction.

What are the benefits of becoming a sponsor?

Sponsorship allows you to:

Support a child's educational journey
Contribute towards the future of a child
Build a meaningful connection with a child
Help reduce the financial burden on a family
Potentially benefit from applicable tax provisions

GETTING STARTED

How do I start sponsoring a child?

You can begin by visiting the Sponsor a Child page and following the registration and sponsorship process.

If you need assistance, contact:

sac@sewaeurope.org

Please include your name, current location/country and your interest in sponsoring children.

Can I volunteer with Sewa Europe?

Yes. You can express your interest in volunteering through the Sewa Europe volunteer form or by contacting the volunteer team.

Can I support other Sewa Europe projects?

Yes. You can explore Sewa Europe's other projects and causes and choose additional areas where you would like to contribute.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

We're here to help.

For questions about Sponsor a Child, registration, sponsorship, payments or communication, contact the Sponsor a Child team.

Email: sac@sewaeurope.org