Our Work

Child Development

Every child is special — uniquely made by God.

We aspire to love each child as God does, and help them receive: good health, good skills, good relationships—and the opportunity to hear the Good News.

Find a child

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our friendly team at 0800 800 777.

A child has no power over where they are born, or their circumstances. In a dire situation of poverty, having a chance to enjoy childhood is rare. Hunger and lack of basic resources threaten well-being and health, while hope and opportunities are limited by hardship. There are millions of children around the world who are lacking essentials like food, water and shelter. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

We believe every child on our planet should be known, loved, protected - and released from poverty in Jesus’ name.

When you sponsor a child, you create an opportunity to enjoy their childhood, to thrive in reaching their full potential and give them a hope more powerful than poverty.

child development

What we're doing

We partner with Compassion International's child development programme, which connects children to their local church family, giving them an education, access to a doctor and safe places to play. When you sponsor a child you not only provide them with this immediate support, but also build a relationship more powerful than poverty by writing them letters of hope and encouragement.

Sponsor a Child

Mums and Bubs

Help mums and babies, living in extreme poverty, to survive and thrive in their first critical year of life!

Tearfund's partner, Compassion, works with mums and babies to prevent premature death, secure good health and enable positive development for babies and their caregivers. In partnership with Compassion, local churches run activities and carry out regular home visits. Mums and Bubs aims for an infant and their caregiver to be physically healthy, encouraged in self-confidence and able to build healthy relationships, equipped with life skills and given the opportunity to hear the gospel message. Through Mums and Bubs, you can help provide the support needed for the best start to life.

Find out more

Sponsor with Confidence.

Our Child Sponsorship Programme works. Independent research shows Compassion sponsored children stay in school longer, are more likely to grow up to be employed, and to be leaders in their churches and communities.

18%

more likely to have salaried employment as adults

80%

more likely to complete a university degree

40%

more likely to finish their secondary education

See the independently verified report >

Sponsor a Child

sponsorship

Benissan's Story

We partner with Compassion International and the local church to support kids born into a life of poverty, like Benissan from Togo.

"Before I had surgery, my eyes hurt. Everything was blurry. I couldn’t see the board at school. It was scary."

"But the first time I put on my glasses, it all went away. Now I can see just fine. One day, I’d like a red pair. Red’s my favourite colour! One day I want to be a doctor. And if you come see me, I’ll fix you right up.”

When asked, “What will you do for fun when you grow up?” Benissan replied, “Nothing. Grown-ups don’t have fun!”

Through his local child development programme, Benissan was able to access a doctor and receive surgery to restore his eyesight. Not only this, but Benissan also attends school, eats regular nutritious meals, has safe places to play and has opportunities to hear about the Gospel. All thanks to his sponsor and the support of Compassion.

Sponsor a child

Where Compassion works

Discover more about the 25 developing countries where our partner, Compassion, works. Learn how each country adapts our programmes to meet the unique needs of their communities and see children released from poverty in Jesus’ name.

Learn more