caring for the children of India

With a total population estimated at over 1.1 billion, children under the age of 14 represent 47% of India’s people. The vast majority live in rural villages where life is difficult at best for most families. Infant mortality is high at 63 deaths/1000 compared with 7 deaths/1000 in the United States. Nearly 12% of all children born in India will not live to their first birthday. 

Since its inception, child care has been an integral part of IGL’s outreach. Approximately one third of children entering the program are orphans. The other two thirds usually have only one parent, or parents who are physically unable to sustain a living that can support a child. These children are often brought by their parents to IGL homes for help, until the parent is able to make changes that can allow for the child’s return. 

India Gospel League currently operates 17 children’s homes, more than 50 Christian schools, and hundreds of day care centers throughout India. Our vision does not stop there. We see the needs of children in villages and we are responding to God’s call to reach them and their families right where they live. By the end of 2020 we want to reach 20,000 children through child sponsorship. By reaching these 20,000 children we can help change the future of India!

touching a life


praying for me

As a sponsor you provide for the physical, educational and spiritual needs of a child through financial support, but more importantly you provide for their eternal care by providing prayer support. Child sponsorship is an effective and proven mechanism to minister to both the spiritual and material needs of a child. One of the most important parts of sponsoring a child is the opportunity you have to pray for him or her. You can pray that your child will experience the love of God in his or her life, to be healthy and to excel in school. You also have the privilege to pray for your sponsored child’s family and community and that the love of Jesus Christ will be seen through the life of your child. As you begin to learn more about your child, you can also pray for his or her specific needs.

writing to me

Corresponding with your sponsored child is a wonderful way for you to get to know him or her. Ongoing communication is essential in developing a meaningful connection. Sponsors and children alike come to understand one another’s country, culture, and family. Since most children in India do not have many personal possessions, it’s best not to write about things you own. Rather share about your life; family, friends, hobbies, those things which are important to you.

Helpful Hint:
Photos of you and your family will be especially treasured! Please be sensitive in choosing photos, as standards of modesty and clothing are different in India.
Please refrain from discussing the political issues of either country.
Your letters should be sent to the India Gospel League-North America office in Ohio. Please write your child’s first and last name and ID number on the outside of the envelope.

building our relationship

receiving letters from me
 
You will receive your first “hello” letter from your child within two to three months after beginning your sponsorship. Each Christmas you will also receive a card with an updated picture of your child so you can keep track of your child’s growth and progress. At Easter you will receive an Easter card from your child. You are welcome to correspond with your child with birthday cards and at any other time of the year. 

The number of letters you receive from your sponsored child depends on the number of letters you send. However, due to a variety of circumstances, it is common for a reply to take three to four months. Normally responses come to supporters in 4-6 weeks. Remote village locations and poor postal service can contribute to slower communication. Also, the majorities of children do not speak or write in English, so the need for translation takes time. (You should receive the original letter written by the child along with the translation.)


day care children 

If your sponsored child is in one of our daycare centers and is too young to read and write, one of the dedicated IGL staff members will help him or her read your letter and respond. Please be patient if your sponsored child is developing literacy skills. Reading and writing letters is a great way for children to improve their abilities and help support their continued education!

sending gifts 

Many sponsors wish to do something special for their sponsored children by sending gifts. There are special items that can be purchased in India for a small donation and given to your child. These can be found by viewing our gift catalog through the mail or online. Unfortunately, due to high costs of shipping and high import duties and restriction by the Indian government, we no longer accept large packages to send to India. The good news is that you can send small, flat and inexpensive items that can fit into a 6-inch by 9-inch envelope.

what to send 

Here are some small items that children often enjoy from their sponsors and can easily fit into a 6-inch by 9-inch envelope:
 
• Stickers
• Bookmarks
• picture postcards
• small notebooks
• Drawings by your children or grandchildren
• Photographs 

You can also refer to our gift catalog for additional ideas which can be purchased for a small amount and given to your sponsored child in India. If you have any questions about these guidelines or a specific item, please feel free to call and ask us.

choosing a gift from the online catalog

If you'd like to choose a gift for your child to celebrate a birthday or a special holiday, we encourage you to make a selection from one of the items in our online catalog. There you will find items for which you can donate, and the gift will be delivered in India to your child in celebration of their special event.

Gifts available include:

Birthday party
Christmas/Easter dinner for child
Christmas/Easter dinner for an entire home
Cricket bat & ball (boys)
Football (boys)
Hair accessories (girls)
Beaded necklaces (girls)
Jump rope (girls)
Water bottles
Bible
Stationery items (pens, pencils, eraser, ruler, etc.)
Snack box
Special clothing item for boys
Special clothing item for girls
Craft kit for girls
Board games for girls/boys

When selecting your gift be sure to include your child's name and ID number in the comment box so that we may easily connect the gift to the appropriate child. Don't worry if you happen to forget. We will be able to match up the information. It may just take a bit longer.

visiting me 

Every sponsor has the option of visiting his or her sponsored child. This is an amazing opportunity for you to see firsthand the ministry that is taking place in India through the India Gospel League and how your child is benefitting from the care they are receiving. The IGL North America Office often arranges for Eyewitness Teams, specifically in Children’s Ministries, to visit India. To learn more, please call us at 1.888.352.4451.

transforming my community 

what your sponsorship does for my family and community 

Family connection is one of the unique aspects of the children’s program. Through child sponsorship, the ministry has the opportunity to reach the parents and the community at large. The India Gospel League has a family action plan for every sponsored child’s family. This plan allows the entire family to participate in certain benefits of the sponsorship program, which ensures the well-being of the entire family and not just the child. For example, parents may receive medical care along with their children at no additional expense. Parents are exposed to the Gospel during parent-teacher meetings and special gatherings. Parents are encouraged to join adult literacy classes. Mothers are given the opportunity to join a “Women’s Transformation Group” in the village. 

Through the local church or Life Center, day care centers and any other children’s outreach in a village are operated. Wherever a church building is located, it is used throughout the week as a day care center. All of the benefits of child sponsorship are channeled through the church and not directly to the individuals.

length of sponsorship 

Our hope is that you treasure the relationship you have established with your sponsored child for a lifetime. The length of each sponsorship depends on the needs of the child and his or her family or community. Most children require support until they have completed basic schooling, which is at the age of 15. When the children have completed their basic education, they are encouraged to go into higher education or vocational training. On occasion, children with parent(s) leave the home before their schooling is over. Although the parents are counseled, they have the right to take their children out of the program at any time. Most children are enrolled through a local church or a pastor. When a child leaves the program, IGL can contact the local church or the pastor to follow up on the well-being of the child. If the child’s family moves from one village to another, follow-up becomes difficult to track.
 
It is important to remember that since many of the children are foster care children, it is not uncommon for their parents to decide to take them out of IGL’s care after a period of time. Sometimes that can be because the child is of working age and they need the additional income. Sometimes parents simply decide that they would rather not live separate from their child despite the circumstances. In the case that your sponsored child should leave IGL’s care, we would notify you of that decision and offer you the opportunity to sponsor another child in that region.

making donations

giving options
 
The amount of $25 per month ($300 per year) sponsors one child for an entire year. This sponsorship may be for a short period of time (as little as one year) or for the child’s entire childhood through age 15. As a child sponsor, continuing support can be sent to the IGL office on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Please choose the giving method that is best for you. 


automatic giving 

This plan allows for convenience and allows us to be good stewards of our resources by eliminating the need for additional postage spent on reminder notices and processing fees. You may choose to have your monthly sponsorship automatically deducted each month from your debit card or charged to your credit card (VISA or MasterCard). To sign up, call us at 1.888.352.4451 or visit our website to download an authorization form.

monthly check 

When you give by check your monthly receipt will include a tear-off reply and envelope for your next sponsorship gift. Please make checks payable to India Gospel League. Please do not send cash.

receipts for donations 

If you give your donations on a monthly basis, regardless of your giving method, you will receive a receipt each month by mail or email. Donations made on a quarterly or annual basis will be mailed receipts on the same timeframe.

how much of my donation goes to help my sponsored child?

Sponsorship contributions to the India Gospel League are tax deductible. IGL operates on a fifteen (15%) percent administrative overhead, which is specifically designated towards the procurement of future child sponsorships. Eight-five (85%) percent of your gifts go directly to the care of your child. 

questions 

We want to be certain that your questions are answered and your decision to be a child sponsor is a blessing to your entire family. If at any time you have questions, please contact us toll free at 1.888.352.4451. You may also write to India Gospel League-North America Office, 1521 Georgetown Road, Suite 305 Hudson, Ohio 44236. Or, you may email us at info@iglworld.org for more information.