Deciding whether or not to sponsor a child is not always an easy decision to make. It is without doubt, a big long-term commitment. It is therefore critical that you know all there is to know about the process before making your final decision. Below we have provided you with information on how we select the children we support, and with a plan of action which takes you through the various stages of the sponsorship process. After reading this information and the other areas of the website, such as 'The Support We Provide' and 'SOS Africa in Action' feel free to contact us for further information.

If you have decided that you would like to single-handedly change a child's life and sponsor his or her education and care through SOS Africa, click here.

The Selection Process

One of the most difficult decisions we, as a charity, have to make, is which children to support. In an ideal world we would support every child. However, given that this is not possible, it is essential that we have strict guidelines which we follow to assist us with this process. These are as follows:

1. The child must be from a destitute family or be a street child.
2. The child’s family must be incapable of funding the child’s education.
3. The child must have good educational potential.
4. There must be where possible, parental involvement and investment, with transportation or limited clothing investments for example.
5. We often sponsor children nominated by local social workers, teachers, churches etc.
6. The child’s selection will only occur after in-depth analysis of conditions at home etc.

The Sponsorship Process

The plan of action bellow gives you a rough idea of the steps SOS Africa takes with each of its sponsored children when the selection process is complete:

1. Child identified.
2. Profile Study is done.
3. Interviews with Nominators, Parents, Child, close Family etc.
4. Medical Examination.
5. Educational Profiling.
6. School approached for placing.
7. Interview with School Principal and School Counselor.
8. Game Plan for selected Child eg. Transport etc.
9. After Care application completed.
10. Appointment of Mentor.
11. Purchase of School uniform / Sports clothing.
12. Start of School year (most children begin their education in January).
13. Monthly Progress Report from Teacher / Principle and Mentor (First 3 months).
14. Term Report 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 from Teacher / Principle and Mentor.
15. Annual Report by SOS Africa Director – December.

Every progress report stated above will be emailed directly to the child's sponsor. Keeping the sponsor regularly updated with the child’s progress is very important to us, as we encourage as much involvement from the sponsor as possible. It’s not just about giving money, it’s about sharing the experience and the journey which each child goes through at such an important stage in each of their lives.

For more information you can email us (info@sosafrica.com), call our UK Office (+44 01749340426) or visit us at Kilver Court, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5NF.