Give a child in Uganda Hope & a Future
When you sponsor a child, you’re also uplifting their caregiver, supporting their dreams, and sharing the love of Jesus in a powerful way.
Impact of Child
Sponsorship in Uganda
When you sponsor a child through Show Mercy International, your monthly gift of just $39 provides access to life-changing essentials, like medical care, education, clean water, and spiritual support.
Your sponsorship uplifts not only a child, but their entire family, creating lasting hope and transformation in Uganda.
Hope for Families
Child sponsorship helps caregivers by walking alongside them with encouragement and practical support. This partnership brings emotional stability and empowers families to make healthier, life-giving choices for their children’s future.
Sharing Jesus’s Love
We share the Gospel through every act of service. Sponsorship helps children and caregivers build a personal relationship with Jesus while experiencing the tangible love of God through our dedicated local team.
Guidance and Growth
Our team invests in meaningful relationships with each child and their caregiver. As they grow in confidence, dignity, and purpose, they begin to dream beyond survival and into the life God designed for them.
Sponsorship FAQ
What is the Show Mercy child sponsorship program?
Show Mercy International’s child sponsorship program connects children in Uganda with caring sponsors who provide consistent support through their school years. For $39 a month, your gift joins with other sponsors to give a child access to education, medical care, and spiritual support, while also coming alongside their family with encouragement and practical help. We partner with local pastors and volunteers who know each child by name, so no child walks through life alone. What began in 2004 with 50 children has grown into a program serving thousands of children across Uganda, all because ordinary people said yes.
How does child sponsorship work at Show Mercy?
When you sponsor a child, your $39 monthly gift joins with other sponsors to provide access to education, medical care, clean water, and spiritual support. We don’t give money directly to families, but use the funds to meet real needs through our local programs and dedicated team on the ground. Local pastors and volunteers know your child by name, show up week after week, and make sure every child is seen and cared for. You’ll have the opportunity to write letters, receive an annual photo and update, and even visit Uganda if you feel called.
How are children selected for the program?
Children are identified by local pastors and community leaders who live and serve in the villages where we work. Because they know these families personally, they are best positioned to identify children who are most in need. We focus on enrolling younger children, typically between the ages of 3 and 8, as early support gives them the strongest foundation for school and long-term success.
We know it can be tempting when visiting Uganda to want to sponsor a child you’ve met along the way, and we understand that impulse completely. But because the need is so great, we trust our local partners to guide that process so that the children who are most vulnerable are the ones who receive support.
Is Show Mercy International a registered nonprofit? Are donations tax deductible?
Yes. Show Mercy International is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. You will receive an annual giving statement by email for your records.
How long does sponsorship typically last?
Sponsorship continues through your child’s school years, with the goal of helping every child reach the equivalent of a high school diploma. At that point, each student is individually assessed to determine their next steps. Sponsorship continues until a child graduates out of the Show Mercy program, and we walk with them every step of the way to make sure they’re set up for what comes next.
What happens if my sponsored child leaves the program?
Occasionally a child may need to leave the program, whether due to a family relocation or other circumstances beyond our control. If that happens, we will reach out to let you know and connect you with another child who needs your support. Your sponsorship never goes to waste, and there is always a child waiting who would be blessed by your yes.
How is my monthly sponsorship used?
Your monthly gift helps provide education, food support, medical care, and spiritual guidance through our local team in Uganda. Your donation doesn’t come to your child or their family as cash, but it absolutely reaches them. Funds are pooled with other sponsors and used through our local programs to meet the real needs of each child, which can look different depending on where they live and what their family situation requires. Because every child’s situation is different, support is based on individual needs, whether that’s help with school fees, food, healthcare, or family support. Every dollar is put to work in a way that serves your child, their family, and their community well.
How will my sponsorship impact my child?
Your sponsorship gives your child the opportunity to attend school, receive care, and be surrounded by people who know their name and believe in their future. Our local pastors and volunteers invest in each child personally, walking alongside them and their family with encouragement and support. Over time, children in our program begin to grow in confidence and purpose, moving from simply getting by to dreaming about the life God has for them.
Why do some children have more than one sponsor?
Having multiple sponsors for each child allows us to make a deeper impact in their lives and their community. It also means that if one sponsor is unable to continue giving, the child’s support doesn’t stop. No child is dropped from our program because of a single sponsorship change, and your giving continues to create opportunities for children and families across the village.
Can I give an extra financial gift for my child?
Yes! Beyond your monthly sponsorship, you’re welcome to give an extra financial gift at any time. Throughout the year, Show Mercy plans intentional giving opportunities to meet real needs and create meaningful moments for the children, things like school supplies, shoes, food baskets, field trips, and holiday celebrations. When you give an extra gift, those funds go toward these opportunities, ensuring your child and every child in the program receives something meaningful.You can give a gift online at showmercy.org/sponsor-resources
What if I need to pause or cancel my sponsorship?
Sponsorship is a recurring commitment, whether you choose to give monthly, quarterly, or yearly, that helps provide consistent care and support for your child. At the same time, we understand that life can change. You’re never locked into a contract, and you can pause or stop at any time if needed. If that happens, we’ll work to connect your child with another sponsor so they continue receiving the care and support they need.
How can I update my payment or contact information?
You can update your payment or contact information anytime by logging into your giving account at account.showmercy.org using the email address associated with your account. Once you’re logged in, find your recurring donation, click view details, and then click edit to make any changes. If you need help, you’re always welcome to call us at 601-747-0388 and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Can I send physical gifts or packages to my child?
Because of the distance and logistics involved in traveling to Uganda, sending packages is very limited. We can only accept items that are flat and fit inside a 6×9 envelope or Ziploc bag. Things like photos, stickers, bookmarks, postcards, or a handwritten prayer work great. Please don’t send candy, money, or bulky items. If you’d like to give something beyond a letter, a financial gift is always the most effective way to make sure your child receives something meaningful.
Can I send letters to my sponsored child?
Yes, and we encourage it! Letters mean the world to the children in our program. You can write to your child online at showmercy.org/sponsor-resources , email your letter to sponsorship@showmercy.org , or mail it to Show Mercy International, PO Box 1003, Port Gibson, MS 39150. Our team will print, translate if needed, and deliver your letter. Including photos of yourself, your family, or where you live is a wonderful way to help your child feel connected to you. Once a year you will receive an updated photo of your child, and if you write to them you will receive one letter response. You are always welcome to write as often as you like. Your letters are received, treasured, and read.
Can I contact my sponsored child directly or through social media?
To protect the safety and privacy of every child in our program, all communication is handled through Show Mercy. Please do not attempt to contact children or their families directly through social media or any other channel. This policy exists to keep our children safe and to make sure every interaction is handled with the care they deserve.
Can I visit my sponsored child?
Yes, and we highly encourage it! Meeting your sponsored child in person is one of the most meaningful experiences a sponsor can have. Show Mercy hosts trips to Uganda throughout the year, and we would love for you to join us. Visit showmercy.org to learn more about upcoming trips and how to get involved.
Does Show Mercy run an orphanage?
No. The majority of the children in our program live with a parent, guardian, or foster family. We believe God’s best for every child is to grow up in a loving family environment where they feel safe, secure, and known. Our role is to come alongside those caregivers with encouragement, resources, and support, not to replace the family.