Answers to our most frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to sponsor a child?

The cost is $21 a month. Or, think of it as 70¢ a day.

What is the best way to get my support to a child?

Good: Monthly checks

Better: Quarterly checks

Even better: Automatic credit card pays

Best: Automatic bank drafts (ACH)

How do I send support?

Many sponsors find automatic bank withdrawal (ACH) both convenient and cost-saving.  Please call us at 1-800-342-5531 if you would like to begin automatic bank withdrawal (ACH). Please go to our website to use a debit or credit card.  To reduce postal expenses, consider sending your support quarterly, semi-annually or annually. However, send it monthly if that is more convenient for you. If writing a check, please make your check payable to International Child Care Ministries.

What about remittances and envelopes?

A pre-paid remittance envelope is enclosed with each mailed receipt.  The bottom 1/3 of your receipt is a return form to send with your next check.  The top portion is for your own tax records.  ACH and Credit card receipts are issued only at year's end.

What happens if I miss a payment?

 If you forget to pay, your child will miss that month's benefits. So, please be sure to send your support at the beginning of the period for which you are paying.

What proportion of my support reaches the child?

Each month, 80% ($16.80) of the support money is sent to the Field Coordinator to directly help the child.  5% ($1.05) goes into a scholarship fund to help unsponsored children in secondary/high school.  15% ($3.15) is used to administer the sponsorship ministry.  100% of all support intended for gifts reaches each sponsored child.  All accounts, both on the field and in the home office, are audited regularly.

What does my support accomplish?

Your sponsorship provides for school fees, books, supplies, and food.  This assistance helps prevent malnutrition, gives the child self-respect, hope for the future, a feeling of well-being and the knowledge that someone beyond his or her local situation loves and cares.

Sponsorship money also supports ICCM schools on certain fields and enables them to serve good food to the students.

Children are nurtured spiritually.  They learn about Christ and many come to know Jesus as Savior.  Eligibility for sponsorship includes attending a Free Methodist Sunday school and church regularly.

Does anyone else sponsor the child I sponsor?

 No. Each child is assigned to only one individual, family or group at a time. They are flesh-and-blood children with a name. They are known by our Free Methodist missionaries & church people.

How long should I continue with my sponsorship?

If possible, we hope your commitment to sponsor a child will continue until the child finishes high school.  If at any time you feel unable to continue as a sponsor, you may discontinue by writing or e-mailing to the International Child Care Ministries office.

Will the child I sponsor write to me?

Yes, under normal conditions several times a year. Your letters may take 3 months to arrive because of travel, translation, and mail. If your child has not yet learned how to write, letters will be written by a family member or a friend. In countries in crisis, letters are less frequent.  In addition, you should receive an updated photo of the child every 2 years.

May I write to my spnsored child?

Certainly! Though you are not required to write, letters are a blessing to a child. He or she will know your name and treasure the thought that you really care. You may write to your child using the form provided on our website, or the following address:

     Child's name & number
     International Child Care Ministries
     PO Box 535002
     Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002

All correspondence should go through our office.  Write clear, simple English so our translators will not have difficulty in translating your letter. 

If you wish, you may enclose a card, letter, and/or photo with your support. We will forward these to the child for you.

Please do not include any part of your address in your correspondence. Also, please do not refer to material possessions or affluence.

How long will it take my letter to reach my child?

Probably about two months or more.  Your letter must be translated before it can be given to your child.

What shall I write about?

a. Send a photo of yourself and family (even pets!). Tell about each one. A child would like to have your picture.

b. Special hobbies you may have.

c. Projects you or your family are doing.

d. Church or school activities.

e. Special celebrations.

f. Description of the weather.

g. Bible verses. 

May I send a gift to the child I sponsor?

Monetary gifts are welcome.  Our Field Coordinators help each child make local purchases.  Enclose the gift amount with your remittance, or make your donation with our online form.  No packages, please.

Who administers the funds of the scholarship program?

Each country has a Field Coordinator who administers the funds. In some countries the Field Coordinator is a missionary.  In other places, Field Coordinators are locally-chosen leaders who work with mission treasurers to coordinate our sponsorship program

May a special contribution be made to ICCM?

Yes. There are special needs or projects in places where extra funds are urgently needed for feeding children, medical care, or opening a new school or hostel. Please click on our "Special Funds" tab to see a range of urgent areas needing support.

 Or, you may call us at 1-800-342-5531 

Please contact us if you have more questions?