menu Plan International UK Work with children in the world’s poorest countries to build a better future You are here: Existing Sponsors breadcrumb navigation: Home / Sponsor a child / Existing Sponsors MY SPONSORSHIP As a sponsor, you're part of an amazing community supporting children growing up around the world. The connection you have with your sponsored child is unique and we hope you enjoy it. As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic continues, your sponsorship experience may be different than usual. You can find the latest details, including information about sending letters, receiving updates and visiting your sponsored child in our COVID-19 FAQs for sponsors. We'll keep you updated about the impact your sponsorship is having around the world and should you need to change your contact details at any time, just let us know. Thank you for your ongoing support. Luz Clarita washes her hands while wearing a mask at her home in Cuzco, Peru. Photo credits: Plan International / Fiorella Ramos CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION FOR SPONSORS We want to reassure sponsors of the steps we’re taking to protect children and communities against the coronavirus pandemic. Please read our CEO Rose Caldwell’s message on our response. Communications are currently taking longer than usual as we ensure the safety of the communities where we work. We are closely monitoring the situation to make sure we can respond quickly if any sponsored children are impacted by the virus. If a sponsored child has been affected, if possible we will share any information we can with their sponsor. We continue to support hygiene practices and ensure the communities we work with have the materials and training they need to prevent the spread of diseases and to help children stay healthy. Read more in our blog posts or find out more in our coronavirus FAQs: READ THE FAQS WRITE TO YOUR SPONSORED CHILD Writing to your sponsored child is a great way to learn more about them and build a friendship. They’d love to learn more about you as well! Find out more about the journey of your letter by watching this short video. You can write a letter by hand and post it to our London office or click the button below to send a letter via our online postbox. Communications are currently facing severe delays due to the pandemic, but please rest assured we will get your letters delivered as soon as we can. SEND A LETTER THE IMPACT OF YOUR LETTER Children love hearing from their sponsor We regularly hear wonderful stories of how children have gone on to become doctors or teachers because of the encouragement they received from their sponsor Send your letter on an amazing journey Our staff deliver your letters to your sponsored child and make sure they’re translated Sponsored children love writing letters On average, they send over 50,000 a year! GIFT A SPONSORSHIP TO A LOVED ONE Whether it’s a birthday or another special occasion, sponsorship makes a unique and wonderful gift that, now more than ever, will be truly appreciated by a child living through the toughest circumstances. Your loved one can exchange letters and photos with their sponsored child and see the amazing difference sponsorship is making. Give someone an incredibly special experience with the gift of sponsorship. FIND OUT MORE YOUR ROLE IN KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE Safeguarding children and young people is at the heart of what we do – and our child sponsors have a unique role to play in keeping the children we work with safe. That's why we ask all our sponsors to follow some key guidelines when they write to, visit, or share information about their sponsored child. READ MORE Tort is a graduate from our child sponsorship programme in Cambodia. Photo credit: Plan International / Stephan Rumpf WHAT HAPPENS AFTER CHILD SPONSORSHIP? There are a few reasons why child sponsorship may end: when a child reaches 18 they will graduate from sponsorship, we may achieve our goals in the community where the child lives, or a child and their family may move out of the community where we are working. Many of our sponsors continue to support their sponsored child right up until they turn 18. But what happens after a child leaves our sponsorship programme? We spoke to four inspiring graduates - Evelyn, Elizabeth, Tort and Ronald – to discover how sponsorship changed what happened next in their lives. READ THEIR STORIES Coby Viergever reads 6th birthday card to her sponsored child Esteyedí at her home. Photo credit: Marieke Viergever VISIT YOUR SPONSORED CHILD Some of our sponsors visit their sponsored child to see for themselves how Plan International’s work is raising the community out of poverty. Children are at the heart of everything we do, and we adhere to safeguarding principles throughout all visits. Before a visit is organised sponsors will have to undertake appropriate checks and will be accompanied by a member of our team throughout their time in the community. Visiting your sponsored child will leave you both with treasured memories and a closer bond, and give you an insight into another culture. Please note that due to coronavirus, sponsor visits are currently paused. FIND OUT MORE FREQUENTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS What can I say in my letters? You can ask about their school, their favourite subjects and games, their family or what they want to be when they grow up. When will I hear back? You should receive a welcome letter from your sponsored child within 2-3 months after you start sponsoring them, but feel free to write before then. MORE FAQS How long do I sponsor a child? You can continue to sponsor a child until they are 18 years old. In some cases, if we achieve our goals in the community or the child moves home your sponsorship may end before then. UPDATE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS USE THE UPDATE YOUR DETAILS FORM TO LET US KNOW IF YOU'VE CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS OR PERSONAL DETAILS CHANGE MY DETAILS LEAVE A LEGACY WHEN YOU LEAVE A DONATION IN YOUR WILL, YOU GIVE AN INCREDIBLE GIFT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS. READ MORE FEATURED STORIES Game-Changing Opportunities for Young People How our partnership with DAZN will change the lives of young people all over the world. READ MORE One year on: how your support for our coronavirus appeal has changed children’s lives READ MORE Thanks to you… A look at how you’ve supported children and young people through an unimaginable year. READ MORE Back to school: reaching the girls who may never return to the classroom Now more than ever, we must protect every girl’s right to a safe future. READ MORE Share this FACEBOOK LINKEDIN TWITTER Useful links MY SPONSORSHIP JOBS AND VOLUNTEERING RESOURCES POLICY RESEARCH AND INFLUENCING MEDIA CENTRE CONTACT US SAFEGUARDING TERMS & CONDITIONS PRIVACY NOTICES COOKIE NOTICE Site Search Search Follow Connect with us FACEBOOK TWITTER YOUTUBE INSTAGRAM Central Contact Switchboard: +44 (0) 300 777 9777 Plan International UK Finsgate, 5-7 Cranwood Street London, EC1V 9LH UK Small Print Registered Charity No. 276035. | Sitemap Analytics On Off We use analytics cookies to help us understand how you use our website, so that we can make it better. Marketing On Off We use marketing cookies to help us monitor and improve the relevancy of our advertising campaigns.