Sponsor a Child

At Lesedi we are on a mission to give each of “our” children the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of their start in life. To do this we need your help! Sponsoring a child at Lesedi is so much more than a monthly donation to support the needs of a child in a distant land. For us it is personal! When a child enrols at Lesedi they join our family. Your sponsorship is a big part of this, expanding the child’s horizons and giving them a sense of worth as they realize that they are valued and loved.

Sponsorship costs just $30 per month per child. If sponsoring from the UK, the cost is £20 per month if we can reclaim gift-aid. Without gift-aid the cost is £25. Sponsorship payments are tax-deductible in the USA and UK.

Many of the children attending Lesedi Primary and Secondary Schools face considerable struggles and challenges in their day to day lives and without sponsorship their education would be extremely limited, with many liable to drop out of school. Sponsorship gives them a unique opportunity to improve their circumstances in life.

Lesedi means light. For me the light came just at the right time. My family has been struggling financially since I was a child. Things got worse for our family when my sister lost her job and the next option for me was seeking employment as a domestic help. I didn’t want that. I wanted to be educated and to become a nurse. I got a place to learn at Lesedi, which is very close to our homestead. The teachers are very helpful . When my parents were called to the school to be told I had been found a sponsor to cover my education we celebrated. The school fees are being paid for and I also get stationery. My sponsor has not asked for anything except that I do my best and work hard in school. I am grateful to my sponsor, and to Fiona and the team who work hard to make sure we have
sponsors. We still have challenges at home but I am glad my education is not one of them anymore. I am determined to succeed!
Amanda Kuwana – Form 2, Lesedi Secondary School

What is the cost of sponsoring a child?

Sponsorship costs just $30 per month per child, or an annual payment of $360.

From the UK, the cost is £20 per month if we can reclaim gift-aid. Without gift-aid the cost is £25.

Will my sponsorship payment be tax-deductible?

Sponsorship payments are tax-deductible in the USA and UK.

What will I receive?

We will initially provide details of a suitable child, sending you a sponsorship document by email, including brief background information and the child’s photo. We endeavor to accommodate any preference for gender and/or age.

You will then receive a drawing, letter or card from the child three times a year. Youngsters start with coloring or drawing then progress to simple letters as they learn to write (and learn English!). As the children get older their letters will become more fluent and chattier.

Most importantly, you will receive the satisfaction and joy of knowing you are making a difference and empowering a child to reach their full potential!

Is this a long-term commitment?

Although we hope that a long-term relationship will be forged between each child and their sponsor, we recognize that circumstances change over time. If you are unable to continue with sponsorship, we will ensure your child is matched with another sponsor and is able to continue with their schooling at Lesedi.

How do I write to my sponsor child?

Exchanging letters and photos is a fantastic way to build a relationship with your sponsor child.

The quickest and most reliable option is to email your letter to fiona@ngoko.com for forwarding to the school. The letter can be in any format – Word, PDF or even a photo of a handwritten letter. You may like to include photos to share with your sponsor child. For privacy reasons, we recommend not including your full contact details.

You can also mail a letter or card direct to Lesedi, however this can take many weeks – if not months – and it is not always reliable. The mailing address is: Lesedi Primary School, Box 138, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. You should include the full name of your sponsor child if writing direct to the school. Because of customs fees we ask you to refrain from sending packages to your sponsored child.

Can I send a gift to my sponsor child?

We ask sponsors to refrain from individual gifts but consider donating to our Birthday Fund instead. Each term we have one big celebration, with plenty of birthday cakes for all children to enjoy. We find this is more inclusive than individual gifts, and it is a very exciting day for all our children.

Will my child remain at Lesedi?

Each year a few of our sponsored children regretfully transfer from Lesedi. Parents often need to be mobile in the search for work, and children may move to live with other family members. It is always sad when one of our Lesedi learners re-locates but without a boarding facility there is little we can do. If your sponsor child leaves Lesedi we hope you will permit us to switch your sponsorship to another child.

Can I visit Lesedi and meet my sponsor child?

Yes, of course! We would love to welcome you to Lesedi if you are travelling to the area, and your sponsor child will be excited to meet you in person. Please try to avoid school holidays, as your child may not be around.

How to Sponsor

Please drop us an email with the great news that you are interested in sponsoring a child.

We will match you with a child and send a sponsorship document by email, including details of your child and a photo.
We endeavor to accommodate any preference for gender and/or age, depending on which children are available for sponsorship at the time.

SEND US AN EMAIL

Payment methods

Please use the standard donation methods, based on where you are making payment from.

As a reminder, the cost is $30 per month / $360 per year if paying from USA or other non-UK country
From the UK, the cost is £20 per month / £240 per year if we are able to reclaim gift aid (remember to tick the gift aid box). Without gift aid the cost is £25 per month / £300 per year.

MAKE A SPONSORSHIP PAYMENT