WHAT IS LONG-DISTANCE SUPPORT?

It is an international foster-care program which assists a child directly through regular, financial contributions — a form of solidarity for a clearly identified child, an adolescent, their family and community. The initiative helps the long-term development of the child during the crucial and formative years without extracting them from their homes and community. It is not merely a series of donations, but a way to contribute to a child’s education, health and actively participate in their lives.

Long-Distance Support is directed to children who participate and are recipients of Champions for Children projects underway in Brazil, Africa and Cambodia.

HOW MUCH DOES LONG-DISTANCE SUPPORT COST?

The annual contribution of 350 euros may be paid in one annual instalment, quarterly or through six-monthly instalments.

In order to enable as many donors as possible to support children in difficult conditions, donors are requested a one-year commitment, renewed yearly. At the end of every year, the donor may withdraw from the program, by giving Champions for Children Foundation, in writing, at least a 60 days notice, in order to allow the Foundation to associate the child with a new donor, and not to discontinue the child’s essential assistance. The foundation withholds ten per cent of the amount paid by the donor for management costs, specifically office, application processing, communication with the donors, recording payments and fund transfer to local coordinators and consequently to children, responding to donors’ questions and providing information. The minimal ten per cent overhead in addition covers phone, post and bank charges.

HOW TO MAKE LONG-DISTANCE SUPPORT PAYMENTS?

Please make bank transfers to:

Banca Popolare di Milano Agenzia 2

Bank Checking Account registered at:

Fondazione Champions For Children o.n.l.u.s.

C/c n. 4500 Abi 05584 - Cab 01602 Cin M

International data

IBAN IT14 M 05584 01602 000000004500

BIC BPMIITM1002

Credit card (only for website registrations) are available — see on-line payment instructions on the (donations page). Bank payments through a “Freccia” Bulletin, are available by using the printable form and the donations page.

HOW TO BECOME A DONOR?

Or write to: sostegnoadistanza@chforch.com.

By fax using the available form: +39 02 58307242.

WHAT DOES THE DONOR RECEIVE?

After joining the program, the donor receives the first child information profile, including a photo and a project presentation relative to the child’s region. Twice a year, the donor will receive personal letters or drawings from the child, school reports, drawings, reports from the local operator who follows the child and updates on the local situation, as well as project developments.

HOW LONG DOES THE SUPPORT LAST?

The child is supported as long as the conditions of need persist, or for the entire duration of the related project. If the child is being supported within a school or  recreational centre, Long-Distance Support lasts for the entire attendance. Only  if and when the goals are accomplished and the child has completed the expected educational program, or if his/her conditions improve, support will be terminated. The only exception to this is if the child’s family transfers out of the program area and it becomes impossible to provide support under the organized structure. At that point the donor will receive information where it will be explained the reasons of the support’s interruption, together with a new Long-Distance Support proposal. Long-Distance Support is not an assistance activity, but a development project: this means that it is intended to make family and the community responsible. By providing help for a longer or shorter period, the child and those who take care of him/her have the possibility to achieve self-sufficiency.  Support ended because it is no longer required is our best success.

WHO IS THE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DUES PAID BY THE DONORS?

Long-Distance Support is coordinated locally by qualified foundation representatives in cooperation with reliable local bodies, associations, congregations, or assigned individuals. The quality of the intervention is driven by the quality of local coordinators able to identify needs and mange funds.  The type of help provided through Long-Distance Support is such that the person following the child has an essential role in understanding what the child needs the most, to check he/she really benefits from the support, and often to help parents to become more aware of how important children’s care is. Support is rarely delivered monetarily but through goods and services provided to the benefit of children and, in some cases, of their families.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO MEET THE SUPPORTED CHILD?

It is possible and recommendable to meet the sponsored child. Usually children are happy to meet those friends who are helping him/her. It may be a tour directly organized by the donor, according to the local organization, or a package tour (all the donors), depending on the country. To maximize the experience and avoid any post-visit repercussions, it is essential to communicate with the Foundation concerning timing and formalities of the tour. Only the local organization is able to decide the best timing for the visit.