Home > Home And Family > Parenting

Child Sponsorship in the USA

by Damian Sofsian

One out of every six children in the United States lives in poverty. Some of the poorest children live in rural America. Many children live in communities that lack public resources and live with parents who don't know how to secure aid or help for their families. The recent hurricanes left children in Mississippi and Louisiana in despair. Mississippi has the third highest child poverty rate in the country. 12 percent of children in the state live in extreme poverty. This means that the basic needs of over 51 percent of children are not met. In Louisiana 48 percent of children belong to low-income families.

Most rural children have younger and less educated parents. They also lack the financial means to provide health care, education and basic necessities to their children. Education is a dividing line between the rich and the poor in America. This has brought about the need for child sponsorship to meet their education needs. A strong educational foundation gives children a better chance in life in terms of a career, livelihood and eventually a ticket out of poverty.

Child sponsorship in the USA is aimed at providing quality literacy, physical activity and nutrition programs during school, after school and over the summer. Many non-profit organizations in the United States partner with local and national communities, schools, agencies and corporations to reach out to children. Early childhood care and development are the core areas of sponsorship. Money from donations is used to construct spaces in schools where children can play with toys and games.

Non-profit organizations hold regular immunization programs and health camps. Mothers are educated on childcare techniques critical to healthy child development. Organizations conduct preschool programs to develop the learning skills of children from a tender age and prepare them for primary education at school. Nutrition education programs help reduce malnutrition and improve children's lives. Parents are educated on the importance of good nutrition.

Child sponsorship programs in the USA are generally aimed at supporting children, who are abused or neglected, giving them a chance to feel safe, loved and nurtured.

More articles >>