Sponsorship FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of benefits does my sponsored child receive through my sponsorship?
Sponsorship affects every area of the child’s life. Care Sponsorships help to provide for the daily care of children living in homes provided by Show Mercy International.  This includes food, homes, medical care when needed, clothing as well as the salaries for the many staff that are needed to provide care and pour out love to the children of Uganda.

Education Sponsorships provides for the school fees for a child to receive an education that is vital to them being able to have a fulfilling life in Uganda. This sponsorship will also provide for school uniforms, shoes and one meal per day during lunch when the child is attending school. This is sometimes the only substantial meal that these children from the village receives. If the child you sponsor doesn’t live in a children’s home but attends our school you are an Education Sponsor.  

Can I sponsor a child if I live outside of the United States?
Absolutely. We now have people partnering with us from all over the world including the UK, Australia, Canada, Norway and many other countries. You are also welcome to join us on trips to visit your sponsored child and will receive the same benefits as those living in the US.

As a sponsor, what will I receive throughout the year?
First and foremost, you will receive the incredible blessing that comes from helping a child in need. The Bible tells us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. We believe that to be the truth. Secondly, once we receive your first monthly gift of $35, we will send you a sponsorship package which includes a photo and information on your child. Please allow a few weeks to receive this initial packet. Throughout the year you will receive a monthly receipt for each payment sent.  We will also do our best to provide you with a yearly update on your individual child.

Can I write my child?
Yes. We encourage you to send your sponsored child a letter of introduction along with some family photos. This helps to establish a special relationship between you and your sponsored child.  You may continue to write your child as often as you wish.  Our goal is to have the children write to their sponsors at least 2 times per year.

Here are a few suggestions when writing your child: Write about things that your sponsored child will understand, such as family, pets, work, church, hobbies, tastes in food, music and activities. Encourage your child’s learning and remind your child that you are thinking of them often and praying for him/her. Please do not discuss politics or governmental issues. Please do not ask your child if there is anything they need or desire. We are working with our children to be thankful for what they have received and helping to break them out of a “poverty” mindset. When you are in great need, you can find your provision through begging, but we are training up our children in a different way. To ensure your privacy, please do not include your address or contact information in your letter.

Please mail your letter to: Show Mercy International PO Box 607 Albany, OR 97321

May I send gifts to my child?
We are not able to facilitate the shipping of gifts to Uganda at this time. We do have a few suggestions of small items that you can include with your letter such as post cards of places you visit. This will be educational for your child. Send flat paper items such as bookmarks, stickers, coloring pages, sports trading cards, band-aids, hair ribbons/accessories, etc. We are also working towards birthday celebrations for the children in our sponsorship program. Each year during the holidays, you will have the opportunity to get involved in helping us provide a nice feast for the kids as well as a gift of new clothes for each child. We recommend that you take part in that opportunity when it is made available.

May I visit my sponsored child?
Yes and we encourage it. By being a part of Show Mercy International teams that travel abroad a few times a year, you can have the chance to meet and spend quality time with your sponsored child. We ask that you do this through a Show Mercy trip and not independently, however. Team members from countries other than the United States are welcome!

How much of my child sponsorship will actually go to helping the kids?
Show Mercy understands our responsibility to be efficient with resources that have been entrusted to us. All child sponsorship resources are put into a designated, temporarily restricted fund that is used to provide the resources needed to support the needs of the children that we are serving through our Child Sponsorship program in Uganda. We do not give finances directly to the children but use them to provide the care that is required.

What if my child moves or leaves the program?
On occasions, your child may have to move or withdraw from the sponsorship program.  There can be any number of reasons for this occurring including families relocating to other villages. When this happens, we will inform you and assign another wonderful child in need of love and care for you to sponsor. We will also mail you a packet of information on your new child.

Will Show Mercy send me a reminder when my child’s support comes due? 
You have the option of paying for the whole year at one time, or donating monthly. We encourage you to consider either setting up an automatic “bill pay” with your bank, setting up a monthly electronic debit from your account (e-check) providing a credit or debit card for us to charge each month to cover your sponsorship. If you choose to donate monthly by check, we will also include a remittance envelope with your receipt for you to mail your next donation in.

What if my financial situation changes and I can no longer fulfill my monthly commitment?
You are free to discontinue your support for any reason at any time you desire or feel that it is necessary to do so.