Frequently asked questions
You are evidently interested in our work since you have a question. Hopefully we are able to answer yours. Since we face often the same kind of questions, we have answered then in the list below. If however your question is not answered here, feel free to contact us for personal advise.
- When I want to sponsor a child, how does it work?
Go to the "sponsor our work" page, fill out the form and sent it. When we have processed your application, we will sent you a map with a photo of the child and some brief information of his/her history. - Can I also sponsor more children?
Sure, you can sponsor as many children as you want. We are just glad so we can take care of more children. - For how long do I have to sponsor a child?
For at least a year. However, we prefer people to embrace their child as their own and keep on sponsoring it until it is eighteen years of age. However, we require a commitment for a minimum period of a year, because there is a lot of administrative work involved. - What to do if I want to stop my sponsoring?
We have a three month cancellation schedule. So if you want to stop your sponsoring, we need to know it three months ahead of time. This three months of cancellation will give is time to look for another sponsor for your child while you are still sponsoring it for this period. - What if I want to sponsor a child but I am to busy to invest time to communicate with it?
You are most welcome. We have several businessmen who gladly sponsor our children but have no time to communicate. Be aware that we have local caretakers that love and care for the children on a daily base. So there emotional needs are met by these guardians. - Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, in the Netherlands, since we are a registered non-profit charity organisation with an ANBI status. However, I do not know whether that is applicable in your nation. Please check with your tax-department to find out whether your donation to us deductible or not. - What if I want to give but cannot guarantee a monthly payment for a year?
When you cannot guarantee a monthly payment for the period of a year, you cannot 'adopt' a child within our program. However, in that case we suggest you donate whatever you can, whenever you can. Be assured we are happy with any donation! - Do I have to pay monthly or can I also pay per year?
Most sponsors use the debit method, that allows us to withdraw € 20,- a month from your account for your sponsor-child. The above mentioned method provides us with a steady flow of income to meet our monthly needs, so 'yes', we prefer this method. However you are free to pay the way that fits best with you. If you want to pay per month, quarterly or yearly, feel free to do so. - Is it possible to communicate with my child and how?
Yes and no! As for now we have over 300 children in 6 different locations, speaking all different Indian languages, and most don't know how to write yet. Besides, almost none of them speak English. Thus, it is quit complicated to communicate with them, since there is no access to internet for them yet. If you sent a message, it must be in English, and sent to our Dutch office. We will forward your letter to our Indian head office. From there it will be taken in due time to the home where your child is. Then it must be translated into their local language, which not all can speak. I hope you understand it is difficult to communicate, however, that makes your sponsorship not less valuable and appreciative. - Will I ever get a response from my child?
Yes, it is our aim to send a reply ones a year from your child. It might be a drawing, a picture of a letter (for the bigger children). Unfortunately it is not possible to do so more than ones a year. - Can I sent presents to my sponsor-child?
Yes you can. However, be would discourage you to sent big gifts or money. Mail delivery is often not very reliable so there is a big change of loss, particularly when you sent valuable items to your child. Besides, there are lots of children who never get any mail, and we want to avoid the children to get jealous and in competition with each other. - Is it possible to visit my sponsor child?
Yes and no! Sure, if you want to travel on your own and visit India, you are most welcome to visit our homes to see your sponsor child. However, without our assistance the caretakers may not know who you are. So we would recommend you to contact us first. However we cannot guarantee that we can assist you on such a journey. And the language barrier is another obstacle to consider. Another option is to join us on a trip, if we are going to visit the home of your child. Ones, again, even though it is difficult to visit your child, your input is nevertheless highly appreciated by the child and also by us. - Can I also do a general donation, without taking a sponsor child?
Sure, we gladly receive any donation. Our budget for building our Abba Village project is over two million euro's. And we are totally depending on donations to make this dream come true. So, yes, we gladly receive any donation and any time from anyone. - In what other way can I support this ministry?
Thanks for asking this question. You can promote our ministry by informing your family, friends, colleagues, companies and others about our work. Many big companies have a budget for charity today. You might bring our charity to the attention of the company where you work, or of other companies that might be interested to invest in our projects. Please be creative and think along with us how you can help us. We are open for your suggestions. - What if I cannot find my question in this list?
Well, feel free to contact us by mail. Take a look at the contact page how to do so. Hopefully we might be able to answer your question personally.