Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Their Education

Particularly during the holidays, Americans often see commercials in which charities ask viewers to participate in child sponsorship programs. Most child sponsorship organizations operate in low-income countries, many on the African continent, and audiences may be curious how well such programs work. In fact, the benefits of giving to such programs can be more numerous and far-reaching than their ad scripts allow in a few moments of air time. Here are some significant ways that child sponsorships benefit children and donors alike.

Benefits for Children: Growing As a Community

As long as donations are pooled for communal use (used for maximum benefit to the most children possible in a community) and not earmarked specifically for individual children, child sponsorship programs can accomplish many important things:

• Provide sustainable support to low-income communities and the means to obtain essentials for the children in them
• Supports children as the most vulnerable population in adverse circumstances, such as natural disasters and political conflicts, in which they may be at increased risk from environmental hazards and other dangers
• Supports businesses in the child’s community when organizations use donation funds to make purchases locally
• Gives children a better chance at staying healthy and completing their education, increasing the likelihood of a promising future
• The ability to fundamentally improve a child’s life increases the likelihood that donors will be motivated to continue giving on a monthly basis

Benefits for Donors: Happiness and Health

Although it’s not the reason most donors give, there is evidence to suggest that giving to others has benefits to the giver as well as the recipient. Here are some of the ways donors benefit from participating in a child sponsorship or other form of charity:

• Giving makes you feel good. Studies show that giving money to others makes donors happier than spending it on themselves. It releases endorphins in the brain that give people a positive feeling commonly described as “warm fuzzies.”
• Giving can be good for your health. Research indicates that giving money or donating time has health benefits for people with chronic diseases and can even decrease the likelihood of death. This may be due to the fact that giving helps to reduce stress.
• Giving enhances social connections. Giving builds connections not only between the giver and direct beneficiaries, but between organizations and other people. Getting involved with a charitable organization is a great conversation starter and may inspire others to give as well.

The Benefits of Providing Educational Support to Children in Uganda

An excellent way to maximize the benefits of giving to children is to support African schools, which provide children with the tools they need to build a more promising future. Simone’s Kids in Nakaseke, Uganda provides education and meets basic needs for children in order to help them break the cycle of poverty. Your donations help purchase school supplies, textbooks, food, and other necessities for all Ugandan students in our care. The Village, is our monthly giving program. We believe it takes a village to raise a child and you can play a part in giving the students of Nakaseke, Uganda a future!

Join us in giving back this year with gifts that provide hope to our students in Uganda. Make a difference by shopping at the Simone’s Kids Store or donating to Simone’s Kids today!