DGHUK’s Sponsor a Child scheme is one of the oldest child sponsorship projects in the UK. It was created in 1908. Since then, over 2,250 poor and vulnerable children have received a life-transforming education at Dr Graham’s Homes in Kalimpong, north-east India. So how does it work? Here’s a quick guide!

What is Sponsor a Child?

It’s a scheme that helps some of India’s poorest children attend Dr Graham’s Homes, a unique school in the Himalayas that was set up by a Scottish missionary in 1900. Children can be as young as two when they join the school. In the years that follow, they’ll receive food, clothing, shelter and teaching - all the way up to Indian Schools Certificate (ISC) level (the equivalent of English A-levels or Scottish Highers) - and usually beyond, into further education.

Where do the sponsored children come from?

They come from Kolkata, or from the local region around ‘The Homes’. Many grew up in the slums of Kolkata. Some are from families that are too poor to send their children to school. Others come from broken homes or, like former pupil Sophia, have lost one or both their parents. Without sponsorship, they would be unable to secure an education.

How much does it cost to sponsor a child?

It costs £2,400 per year to sponsor a child at Dr Graham’s Homes, or £1,920 if you donate with Gift Aid. That works out at just over £36 per week, and it covers everything your sponsored child needs during the year - school fees, meals, uniforms, accommodation, and even gift money towards holidays, birthdays and similar occasions.

What if you can’t afford a full sponsorship?

That’s never a problem! Many people team up with friends and relatives to sponsor a child. See Can we sponsor a child at Dr Graham’s Homes as a group? for how to do that. You can also start a Part-sponsorship, donating as much as you feel able. DGHUK will make up the difference, or team you up with another sponsor.

What does sponsoring a child include?

DGHUK’s Sponsor a Child is a very personal scheme. You’ll be linked with an individual child. We’ll send you a photo and an introductory email, and we’ll encourage you to correspond with them via our Sponsorship Secretaries (if you’d like to!). You’ll also receive letters and updates from your sponsored child during the year.

How long will the sponsorship last?

There’s no fixed term. As a charity, we commit to funding each new child who joins our scheme throughout their school and college years, until they are able to enter the world of work. But you need only sponsor your child for as long as you feel able to. We always hope the sponsor / child relationship will be a long and fruitful one. But we also recognise that circumstances change. If you do need to change or end your support, please be assured that the education of your child will not end until they have graduated. As we said above, that is our commitment to them.

Does Sponsorship make a difference?

It really does. Without sponsorship, the children we support will receive little or no education. With our sponsorship support, they receive a high-quality education that continues until they have completed college or vocational training and entered the world of work. Once working, they are then able to earn at a level that will support not just themselves but, hopefully, their immediate families too. Our sponsorship scheme truly makes a difference to their lives and that of their families. It breaks the cycle of poverty.

How can you start sponsoring a child?

It’s really simple to get started. Just fill out our online form, tick “Sponsoring a child at the Homes”, and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible. If you prefer, you can also phone or email the Sponsorship Secretaries directly - just hit one of the buttons below!

What’s it like to sponsor a child at Dr Graham’s Homes?

Read how Andrew and Caroline Wells got involved with DGHUK’s Sponsor a Child project

Interested in finding out more about the scheme?

Read all the detail on our Sponsor a Child page