Thank you!
Ending global poverty is an audacious goal. However, it can be achieved when people like you and me commit ourselves to doing something about it.
Every little bit helps. Simply talking to a friend about how there is enough food in the world to feed everyone or telling them how Child Sponsorship can change lives moves us closer towards the goal.
So, thank you for requesting this toolkit and for wanting to change the lives of children and communities living in extreme poverty. Together, we can make sure that all children, no matter where they live, have a childhood and the freedom to play!
In the run-up to Christmas our goal is to get out and talk to as many people as possible about Child Sponsorship. We want to make people aware of the benefits sponsorship can have to the children and communities overseas, as well as ourselves and our families.
For many people, especially families, Christmas has lost a lot of its true meaning. The concept of giving has got tangled up in the latest advertising campaign for stuff that will no doubt gather dust come the New Year.
Child Sponsorship is the ideal antidote as it provides people with a way of acknowledging how fortunate they are and giving them a way of sharing a little of what they have with a child in considerable need.
For families it provides a way of helping children to think beyond themselves and understand the differences that exist in the world. It also helps build a child’s character as they learn timeless values such as compassion, kindness and concern for others.
Christmas is a busy time for us all. So I really appreciate your willingness try and find a sponsor for the precious child whose information is enclosed in this toolkit.
Best wishes
Chris Clarke
Chief Executive Officer World Vision New Zealand
Page 2 of 18 CONTENTS WHAT’S IN YOUR TOOLKIT AND WHERE?
Ways you can get involved Find a sponsor Smiles gift catalogue
Find a sponsor
Who to talk to about Child Sponsorship Ways to get started
Someone’s interested – now what?
Guide to filling in Automatic Payment forms Guide to filling in Credit Card forms
Background information Contents
Overview of World Vision World Vision in New Zealand History
Key areas of work Where we work
Frequently asked questions
Child Sponsorship information sheets Smiles brochures Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 10 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 – 18 Plastic sleeve
Page 3 of 18 LEND A HAND WAYS YOU CAN BE INVOLVED
“None of us can help everyone, but all of us can help someone.” (Lucado) There are a number of ways in which you can be part of the movement to end global poverty. Two key activities are around Child Sponsorship and Smiles, our new gift catalogue.
Find a sponsor
If you are a child sponsor you know the benefits of sponsorship and how this changes the life of not just one child but a whole community. By talking to people about the benefits of Child Sponsorship and encouraging them to become involved, you will help begin a process that will change many people’s lives.
Smiles
Our new Smiles gift catalogue will literally bring a smile to everyone’s lips. By encouraging people to purchase gifts from the catalogue throughout the year, you will help to fund a wide range of projects that are not supported through Child Sponsorship.
There are a number of other ways in which you can participate, ranging from donation boxes to prayer to helping out with World Vision events, such as the 40 Hour Famine or Girls Night Out.
For more information on these visit www.worldvision.org.nz and look on the Volunteer web pages.
Page 4 of 18 LET’S GET STARTED FIND A SPONSOR
Child Sponsorship is the most well-known way in which World Vision funds its work to help end global poverty. By encouraging people to become sponsors you will make a difference in the lives of so many people, especially children.
Who can you talk to about Child Sponsorship?
Anyone, really! Some people feel comfortable talking to people they know well, while others are happy to share their sponsorship story with anyone they meet.
If you are a sponsor, talking about your own sponsorship experience is the best way to start. In other words, explaining why you got involved and your understanding of how it benefits children and communities living in extreme poverty. Remember to also talk about how you and your family have benefited from the experience.
Be prepared for questions (see the Frequently Asked Questions section in the back of this toolkit) and feel free to say when you don’t know the answer. To find answers to questions contact our Customer Services team on 0800 800 776.
Please do not be discouraged by people who are not in a position to become a sponsor or who are not interested.
Sometimes it’s a good idea to make a list of people you might want to approach. Here’s a starting point.
Extended family – cousins, aunts, grandparents, in-laws, nieces / nephews
Neighbours & past neighbours Husband / partner’s family Teachers / Kindy teachers Parents of your children’s friends
People you know from any committee you are on Local retailers who you know well
Beauty therapist / doctor / dentist / accountant / hairdresser People you know through your health / sports / book club Church
Senior citizen groups Theatre groups
Page 5 of 18 LET’S GET STARTED FIND A SPONSOR CONTINUED
Ways to get started
Create a list of people you want to approach (see page 4) Send out an email to all your friends
Use your social network pages (FaceBook / MySpace / Twitter) and tell people you are trying to find sponsors for children.
Ask your friends to sponsor a child together (one person will need to be the co-ordinator)
Hold a ‘night in’ with friends. Agree to run the event once a year and have them all pay to attend – the money goes to the cost of the sponsorship of your joint sponsored child
Talk to your family and suggest that, rather than buying gifts for each other this year, you jointly sponsor a child
Host an early Christmas dinner / drinks / BBQ and tell people that there is a special guest – a child who needs a sponsor. During the evening invite people to consider sponsoring
Hold a dinner with a sponsored child’s country as the theme and suggest that people consider sponsoring a child from that country Get a friend to host a supper where you try out Fair Trade
products (chocolate / coffee). Talk about the work of World Vision and provide the group with options of how they can help end global poverty. Give people the choice of purchasing from the Smiles catalogue or sponsoring a child. Ask if anyone from the evening would like to host an event – and then you can run another one
Speak at your church about what you are doing and have a stand each Sunday where people may sign up to sponsor
Offer to speak at different community group meetings (women’s / men’s groups / PTA)
Help our Face-2-Face team in a Westfield mall in Auckland over November / December. If interested contact Hitesh on
[email protected] Conversation starters
“Have you ever thought about sponsoring a child?”
“I have been sponsoring a child in *country+ for* X+ years and I’ve found my children really benefit from knowing that not everyone in the world has clean water, food and the chance to go to school”
“Have you ever considered the fact that when you sponsor a child it’s not only them that benefit but you can to as you share a little of what you have with someone in real need”
Page 6 of 18 LET’S GET STARTED FIND A SPONSOR CONTINUED
Someone’s interested - now what do you do?
In this toolkit you have some information about a child who needs sponsorship. For each child you will have two information sheets.
Child Information ONLY: This is the sheet you give to your potential sponsor to take away with them.
Child information WITH contribution forms: This is the sheet that you need to complete with the potential sponsor and RETURN to us. It includes a Credit Card and Automatic Payment section.
Using the step-by-step guide on the next few pages ask your potential sponsor to fill in either the Automatic Payment or Credit Card section on the child information sheet.
If the person would like to take some time to consider sponsoring, please ask them to complete their name and address details so that we know they may be interested in sponsoring that child. Let them know that someone from World Vision will call them to follow up within two weeks. Once they have filled in either the Automatic Payment or Credit Card section, please put the Child information WITH contribution forms in the reply paid envelope in this kit and send it to us.
The key things to remember are:-
To ask the sponsor to sign the information sheet
To send us the entire sheet (do not separate the credit card section from the top section about the child – we need this to identify which child has been sponsored).
If you have any questions about how to complete the forms or what to do with the paperwork please call one of our Supporter Services team on 0800 800 776. They will be more than happy to help you. Alternatively email us on [email protected]
Once we have received the form we will send out the full sponsorship pack to the new sponsor you have found.
Please note that if you do not manage to find a sponsor for the child / children in this toolkit within 2 months we will need to make the child / children available for someone else to sponsor. To check if the child / children are still available please contact our Customer Services team on 0800 800 776.
Page 7 of 18 SPONSORSHIP STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO
AUTOMATIC PAYMENT FORMS
The following information is designed to help you fill in an Automatic Payment form with a potential sponsor.
Step 1 Fill in the potential sponsor’s:
Name / Address / Phone / Email / Date of birth
Step 2 If they have their bank details, fill in this section. If they don’t, our Supporter Services team will contact them once we have received the form.
Step 3 Add in the amount they will contribute. Note the minimum rate is $45 per month - total per year is $540
This may be paid weekly ($10.40) or fortnightly ($20.80) or monthly ($45). Step 4 Ask the potential sponsor to sign and date the form, and include a contact
number.
Step 1
Name / Address / Phone
/ Email / Date of Birth Step 2 Bank details
Customer Services will contact them if they don’t have their bank details
Step 3
Frequency and amount
Step 4
Signature, contact numbers and date
Page 8 of 18 SPONSORSHIP STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO CREDIT CARD / CHILD ENQUIRY FORMS
The following information is designed to help you fill in a Credit Card form or Child Enquiry form with a potential sponsor.
Step 1 Fill in the potential sponsor’s :
Name / Address / Phone / Email / Date of birth
This is all that is required if the person would like to think about signing up and wants to take away the information on the child. Step 2 Choose the amount to be contributed and enter the credit card details,
include the expiry date, name on the card and the person’s signature Add in the amount – Minimum rate is $45 per month which can be paid either quarterly ($135) or six-monthly ($270) or yearly ($540)
Step 3 Ask the potential sponsor to sign and date the form, and include a contact number
Step 1
Name / Address / Phone / Email / Date of Birth
Step 2
Frequency and amount
Step 3
Signature and contact numbers and date
Page 9 of 18
CONTENTS BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Overview of World Vision World Vision in New Zealand History
Key areas of work Where we work
Frequently asked questions
Page 10 Page 10 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 - 18
Page 10 of 18 OVERVIEW OF WORLD VISION WORLD VISION IN NEW ZEALAND
World Vision is an international Christian humanitarian and aid organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome extreme poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.
World Vision New Zealand currently supports more than 55 projects in more than 22 countries. We work in three different areas:
Emergency relief
Community development Advocacy
World Vision partners impoverished communities to help them develop skills and resources to make a better life for themselves. Our goal is to leave communities, after a few years of working together, in a position of self-sufficiency and resilience. World Vision gives an opportunity to every New Zealander household to be involved in child-focused work that touches millions of people each year in its quest to end poverty, fight hunger and transform lives.
In July 1971, Geoff Renner was appointed the first Director of World Vision in New Zealand. At the time, New Zealanders supported work in Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan. Child Sponsorship was mainly in Vietnam and Indonesia at $11 a month. There were 324 children registered in these projects.
Income in 1971 was $62,000 per annum and staff increased to four. New Zealand remained under the auspices of World Vision Australia until 1975. By 1975 there were 18 staff, 5500 sponsored children, and an annual income of $1.2 million. The same year saw the inaugural 40 Hour Famine event, and 100,000 people took part.
In 1981 a new Director, Peter McNee, was appointed. About 10,650 children were registered for sponsorship, and this jumped to over 13,000 by the end of 1982. By 1986, over 150,000 New Zealanders were taking part and raising money for the 40 Hour Famine. Colin Prentice became Executive Director in 1994, and by 1998 the 50,000th child was sponsored.
New CEO, Helen Green, joined World Vision in 2001. By 2005 the annual income was $53 million, supported by large increases in Child Sponsorship and Emergency Relief income. Approximately 75,409 children were being sponsored. Lisa Cescon took over as CEO in 2006, alongside Peter McClure as Board Chair. Chris Clarke became CEO in January 2010 and has been tasked with fuelling a movement of Kiwis who are committed to help end global poverty.
In October 2010, the number of children sponsored by New Zealanders was 76,537.
HISTORY
In 1950, Dr Bob Pierce, an American evangelist and war correspondent during the Korean War, founded World Vision to provide emergency care for war orphans in Korea. More than 60 years later, Child Sponsorship has evolved into a child-focused development programme, enabling communities to participate in their own
transformation to bring about lasting and sustainable change.
From small beginnings, World Vision has grown into one of the largest humanitarian aid development organisations in the world.
Page 11 of 18
KEY AREAS OF WORK
Emergency relief, rehabilitation and disaster mitigation
World Vision is known for its rapid response to the victims of war and natural disasters.
Short-term emergency aid provides for immediate needs in the wake of a disaster - food, water, medicine, shelter and survival packs. Following the immediate emergency World Vision provides ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction to survivors. World Vision also trains communities in disaster risk reduction and preparedness.
Advocacy and education
World Vision advocates for the vulnerable at local, national and international levels on issues such as child labour and women’s empowerment. In terms of education, World Vision combines learning about poverty issues with opportunities for people to do something about them. The message is that New Zealanders can make a difference and help eradicate poverty by what they do, say and give.
Community development
The best way to bring about lasting change is by tackling the causes of poverty - not just dealing with the effects. Working through long-term Area Development
Programmes (ADPs), World Vision focuses on communities of up to 100,000 people in a cluster of villages in the same geographic area. It carries out an integrated development programme over a period of up to 15 years. The programme focuses on the wellbeing of children and families, addressing not only immediate issues such as food and water supplies, hygiene and health, but also long-term sustainability and self-reliance.
Community members participate in all decisions affecting their lives.
When World Vision concludes its involvement in an ADP, the community will be suitably resourced to take responsibility for its own development.
World Vision also funds three- to five-year projects, which are generally funded from non-sponsorship sources (e.g. the 40 Hour Famine campaign and Children In Crisis programme).
Page 12 of 18 WHERE WE WORK
World Vision International works in more than 100 countries around the world.
World Vision New Zealand, in partnership with thousands of New Zealanders, supports more than 55 projects in 22 different countries.
Child Sponsorship funded projects:- Africa Malawi Mali Niger Rwanda Tanzania Uganda Zambia Asia Bangladesh Cambodia India Myanmar Latin America Honduras Nicaragua
Non-Child Sponsorship funded projects: Pacific
Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands Vanuatu Asia East Timor Mongolia Africa Kenya Sudan
Page 13 of 18
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who does World Vision help? World Vision supports communities in the
developing world on the basis of the greatest need. One way in which we identify countries in which to work is by applying the United Nations Human Development Index. The index gives a picture of the world's poorest and richest nations using average per capita income and standard of living indicators. World Vision gives assistance regardless of race, gender or creed.
How does a project start?
World Vision offices in the countries where we work receive many requests from communities living in poverty.
When we are approached by a group or community for help, we discuss with them their greatest needs and which solutions might bring maximum benefit to the whole community.
It takes many months of planning and discussion before the aims and goals are formed and the project established. Even once this has happened, the project is funded for two years before being opened for sponsorship. Called "seed funding", this stage is to prepare the communities and establish relationships - like planting a seed.
How much money goes overseas?
On average, over the last five years, 78.8 per cent of World Vision New Zealand’s total income has been allocated to its emergency relief, and development and advocacy programmes. In the most recent financial year the figure was 79.4 per cent.
World Vision New Zealand is independently audited every year. To obtain a full copy of our latest financial statement contact our Supporter Services Team (0800 800 776) or go to www.worldvision.org.nz
To ensure accountability in the community
development programmes, World Vision staff monitor the use of funds and submit regular progress reports to World Vision New Zealand.
What about poverty in New Zealand? World Vision recognises there are issues in New Zealand. However our focus is to assist the poorest of the poor. We determine where our projects should be based according to the United Nations measurements of poverty. Therefore, our focus is on Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific according to the needs. How does World Vision work with other aid agencies?
World Vision works alongside other relief organisations in disaster response situations. In terms of
development work, World Vision does partner other aid organisations in specific projects outside of Child Sponsorship-related projects.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTINUED
How do we know the money reaches the community?
In our relief projects, World Vision personnel administer funds.
In our development projects each project manager submits monthly reports. These reports are reviewed by staff in our New Zealand office who are experienced in managing development projects. These programme managers also visit the projects on a regular basis to monitor and asses
implementation and progress.
World Vision New Zealand is independently audited every year. To obtain a full copy of our latest financial statement contact our Supporter Services Team (0800 800 776) or go to
www.worldvision.org.nz . We are fully committed to being good stewards of the money entrusted to us.
How do I know governments are not receiving the money?
World Vision transfers sponsorship funds and donations to our partners in the community development programme, not to governments.
Who does World Vision employ in projects? Our projects are designed to develop and encourage self-reliance. Therefore, we aim to employ local people wherever possible. We have a very limited recruitment programme for overseas personnel - whether paid or voluntary - because it is our policy to employ nationals from the countries in which we work.
This not only provides employment opportunities, but also avoids problems that expatriates may experience relating to visas, work permits, living conditions and language. We employ expatriates with specialist qualifications in short-term contract positions in areas where the skills are not locally available.
Does World Vision minister to all, irrespective of creed or race?
Yes. World Vision serves the world’s poor irrespective of creed or race. We have offices and projects in countries such as Indonesia, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Iran. Most of our employees in these places are local nationals and many do not observe the Christian faith.
Page 15 of 18
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTINUED
What is an Area Development Programme (ADP)?
Area Development Programme or ADP is a process of development aimed at empowering the poor to take control of their circumstances and plan their future. An ADP lasts 12-15 years and addresses some of the important root causes of poverty, disparities and unjust systems by involving the community to work together. An ADP links a number of communities that are close together and have similar needs and potentials. It covers a geographic area that is defined by some social, natural or political boundary typically containing between 30,000 and 100,000 people.
How long does a project last?
The average life span of an ADP is 12-15 years depending on the needs and interventions involved. This life span gives the community workers enough time to create sustainable change. It also creates capacity within the community to gradually take full responsibility for its own development. World Vision also funds three-to five-year projects, which are generally funded from non-sponsorship sources (e.g. the 40 Hour Famine and Children in Crisis).
What happens when the project finishes? When World Vision concludes its involvement in an ADP, the community will be suitably resourced to continue its own development. The aim of World Vision’s work is long-term sustainability. Therefore the community will continue planning and
implementing activities and develop skills they have learnt.
Are you going to force religion on sponsored children?
World Vision is not an evangelical organisation and believes nobody should be coerced or manipulated into converting to Christianity. Christian education is included in project activities whenever appropriate and desired by the community. In many countries where we work, formal public evangelism is forbidden by
government policy and we respect this ruling.
Do sponsored children receive the money contributed?
The sponsorship money you send to us is pooled with other contributions we receive from New Zealanders who sponsor children in the same community as your child. Your support enables World Vision to provide benefits, such as education, healthcare and
supplementary nutrition for children.
In most areas, sponsorship funds are used to make improvements that will help the entire community. Often World Vision helps dig wells for clean water and provides agricultural assistance to improve health and nutrition. Adults and teens may receive vocational training and education in nutrition and hygiene. We offer help with these things and more - according to the needs of the community - because, in the long run, we have not really helped a child unless we have also strengthened the family and community to provide for his or her continuing care.
Page 16 of 18
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTINUED
How are children and families chosen to participate in the project?
When we first start working in a community and have set the goals we hope to achieve, a budget is carefully worked out. Based on this budget, it is decided how many children will need to be sponsored in order to raise the required funds for the development projects.
A committee made up of a range of community members makes the decision as to which children will be available for sponsorship. Children are chosen from families most in need. The level of poverty within each family is assessed and this determines how many brothers or sisters will be sponsored. However, families have the right to choose whether or not to involve their children with World Vision.
All the children, whether sponsored or not, have the same opportunities to receive an education and healthcare, and benefit through various community development programmes in agriculture, water, vocational training and income-generating activities. Sponsored children provide a 'window' into the community for their sponsors.
Will sponsors receive letters from their sponsored child?
They will receive:
An Introductory Letter from their sponsored child or the child’s family within in three months An Annual Progress Report each year, which includes an update on their sponsored child’s progress and an updated photo
A Greeting Card once a year, usually at Christmas time
Apart from this, sponsored children only write in response to letters. Responses may take up to three months to arrive.
Can sponsors send gifts to their sponsored child? Gifts can create jealousy in the project when some children receive gifts and others don’t.
We recommend sending small items, which can fit in a standard sized envelope, e.g. stickers, bookmarks, small colouring pencils, colouring books, notebooks, finger puppets, hair ties, photos, cards, balloons, etc.
Larger parcels invite curiosity which may lead to theft. Also, import / custom taxes for delivery of large parcels are very expensive. World Vision takes no
responsibility for parcels/gifts sent to the national office in the country where the sponsored child lives.
How does a sponsor write to their sponsored child?
Detailed information on this is included in the full sponsorship pack a sponsor will receive, once we have received their contribution forms.
Letters are translated into the language of the sponsored child, and the child will receive both the sponsor’s letter and the translated version. When the child responds, the letter is translated into English. Responses may take up to three months.
Page 17 of 18
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTINUED
Are children’s letters censored?
We feel it is necessary to edit letters in some cases for the protection of sponsors, the sponsored children and our staff. In many areas where World Vision works, the political situation is very sensitive. Therefore the World Vision staff in the country of the sponsored child will check all outgoing letters to sponsors to make sure a political comment has not been made innocently that could put our staff and communities in danger.
How long are children sponsored for? Many children remain in the sponsorship
programme for the duration of World Vision's work in their community. In some cases this can be 15 years or longer. Some sponsored children have the opportunity to pursue tertiary education and may remain sponsored throughout their training, meaning they could still be sponsored in their early 20s.
A sponsored child could leave the programme when:
They are in a position where they can support themselves
They have completed their education They are married or move away from the project
Can a sponsor pay for their sponsored child to come to NZ?
World Vision helps people in their own community, country and cultural context. Therefore, we do not support visits to New Zealand. The culture shock and unsettling effects of bringing a child to New Zealand would be too disrupting.
Can a sponsor visit a sponsored child?
We love it when our supporters are able to visit their sponsored child and their community. World Vision can arrange the visit to the community, but all costs involved would need to be met by the sponsor.
All visitors must undergo a Police Check as part of our Child Protection policy.
We ask for three months’ notice so that our staff in the field have time to arrange the visit.
Can sponsors keep in contact with the child after they cancel their sponsorship?
No, as this would cause confusion if the child were to be sponsored by another person.
What is the positive impact of sponsorship on a sponsored child?
Every child who is sponsored through World Vision receives benefits, such as clean water and education, through long-term community development. The child may also have periodic medical check-ups and if sick, be assisted by World Vision to obtain treatment.
Working in partnership with the community, it means the whole community can become sustainable and carry on with their own development after World Vision leaves the area.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTINUED
What is the positive impact of sponsorship on the community?
We believe the best development happens by working alongside a community so it can become sustainable and take responsibility for its own development after World Vision leaves the area. Interventions at community level include improving healthcare, access to education, improving
agricultural production, ensuring sufficient food supply, access to clean water, income-generating activities, developing savings and self-help groups, addressing gender issues, and increasing HIV and AIDS prevention and awareness.
If the area where World Vision is working through Child Sponsorship is affected by some crisis e.g. floods or famine, World Vision responds by providing emergency relief assistance to the community.
Can someone sponsor a child affected by from HIV and AIDS?
We have a Child Protection policy, which means that infections like HIV and AIDS are not disclosed because of the stigma that can be attached to the condition. However, we do have a program called Hope Child sponsorship in communities affected by HIV and AIDS.
Part of your Hope Child sponsorship funds will go towards:
Training volunteers to monitor children’s emotional, physical and spiritual care
Helping to care for sick and dying parents, and other caregivers
Counsellors to promote values of abstinence to help prevent the spread of HIV
