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Foundation

• Origins
• Mission and Vision
• The Trust
• Asha-Kiran in India
• Collaborating Entities

Projects

• Yashodhara Shelter Home
• Day Care Centers - Migrant children
• Quality Education

Activities

• Activities and Events
• Campaigns
• Asha-Kiran Espacio

Children & India

• Children
• India
• Publications

Get Involved

• Join us
• Sponsor a child
• Make a donation
• Work as a Volunteer
• Participate through your business
• Spread the word
• Solidarity Collection Tins

Join us Sponsor a child Make a donation Work as a Volunteer Participate through your business Spread the word Solidarity Collection Tins

What is sponsoring? Where does the money go? Which children or Projects benefit from Sponsoring? What initiatives are financed by the Sponsorship fees? How long does the Sponsorship last? What happens if can no longer sponsor a child? How many people can sponsor a child? What are the Sponsor’s obligations? How are the children chosen? Is the Sponsorship fee tax deductible? How is the monthly Sponsorship fee paid? Can the Sponsors visit the children? Can I write to or communicate with the child I sponsor? Can Sponsors send gifts? Will the children write back to their Sponsors? Can the children travel to the country where the Sponsor lives? Do the children know they have a Sponsor? Can I make a donation to my sponsored child? Making the Sponsorship official

• What is Sponsoring?
  
  Sponsoring is a voluntary relationship that brings people together emotionally. It creates a supportive relationship between Sponsors and children who are part of a vulnerable population, which enables the implementation of Development Projects that benefit the children and also the community in which they live.
  Sponsorship involves a commitment beyond giving money; it is a bond that provides long-term direct benefits to disadvantaged communities, children and schools.
  Sponsorship does not imply any legal rights over the child; is not an adoption or a guardianship, but a way of working with the Projects of Fundación Asha-Kiran and following up closely the impact of their benefits on the whole community through the eyes of a child.
• Where does the money go?
  
  Both children who are sponsored and the ones who aren’t benefit from our Development Projects with the Sponsorship fee of €21 a month (€0.70 a day).
• Which children or Projects benefit from Sponsoring?
  
  Fundación Asha-Kiran has a Sponsorship Program that offers healthcare and academic resources to the children from Yashodhara Shelter and from two public schools it works with in Pune.
• What initiatives are financed by the Sponsorship fees?
  
  Monthly contributions from Sponsors are wholly destined to financing the Foundation’s Projects in the following areas:

  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Nourishment-Nutrition
  • Health and hygiene education
  • Shelter Home for ‘vulnerable children”
  • School material
  • School infrastructure, maintenance, school cafeterias, school material
  • School transportation
  • Community enterprises
  • Gender equality education
• How long does the Sponsorship last?
  
  Sponsorship aims to cover a child’s basic schooling period, from 5 to 14, or, in the case of the youngsters who live at Yashodhara Home, up to 18, which is when the youngsters’ academic and personal development is considered completed and when they leave the Shelter.
  When the Sponsorship period is over, or if it is interrupted for any sponsored child's personal circumstances, the Foundation immediately informs the Sponsor and gives him the option of sponsoring another child.
• What happens if can no longer sponsor a child?
  
  As soon as the Sponsor expresses his desire to stop his contribution, Sponsorship is terminated. This does not imply any change in the life of the child, because he can still benefit from the Project’s resources and actions, which go to all the children and the development of their community, without any distinctions.
  In the event that your Sponsorship is terminated for economic reasons, we will give you the option of continuing it with a lower monthly contribution or other type of collaboration if desired.
• How many people can sponsor a child?
  
  For administrative reasons, only one person is responsible for any one sponsored child, namely, the account holder where the Sponsorship fees are debited. Sponsorship, however, can be shared between a couple, a group of friends, family, company, etc. If the bank holder wishes so, mail can be sent to a different person.
• What are the Sponsor’s obligations?
  
  Sponsoring is a voluntary relationship; therefore, a Sponsor’s only commitment is his monthly contribution. If at any time he wishes to stop it, he need only tell us so we can end his Sponsorship.
• How are the children chosen?
  
  It depends on the Project. At the Shelter, all the children are equally eligible for Sponsoring since they are equally vulnerable. For the children in the schools we work with, priority is given to children who live in greater family turmoil, with more pressing needs or in more detrimental situations.
• Is the Sponsorship fee tax deductible?
  
  Yes, there is a 25% deduction for individuals and 35% for businesses. Asha-Kiran is a ‘general interest’ organization as per the Foundation Registry under number 28-1430.
  Note: this only applies to Spanish Sponsors. Please enquire about the laws in your country.
• How is the monthly Sponsorship fee paid?
  
  Direct withdrawal is the easiest way, with the added advantage that it does not entail a bank fee for the Foundation – we receive the full contribution. It is also possible to pay by credit card.
  One-time contributions can be done by bank transfer to the Foundation’s account.
• Can the Sponsors visit the children?
  
  Yes, the Sponsors may visit the children whenever they wish. The Sponsor must contact the Foundation ahead of time so that we can coordinate the trip and the visit in the best possible way. It is important for the Sponsor to have a preliminary meeting with officials of the Foundation before his visit in order to go over details such as mode of interaction, expectations, etc., always for the good of the child.
• Can I write to or communicate with the child I sponsor?
  
  Communication between children and Sponsors must comply with our current logistical possibilities.
  Children write to their Sponsors twice a year: in December-January and in July-August, the latter coinciding with the beginning of the school year in India. Their mailings will consist of items made by the children in their daily activities, in creative workshops or at school – drawings, crafts, carts, letters, etc.
  The Sponsors will send their mail through Asha-Kiran, who will in turn forward it to its staff in India so as to insure that it reaches its destination.
• Can Sponsors send gifts?
  
  Yes, the Sponsor may send gifts from time to time. In these cases, he should take into account their weight and size so that this does not incur extra costs he may not wish to pay.
  In addition, the Sponsor shall try to send gifts that the child can

  1. Use effectively. Keep in mind, for example, that story books bought in Spain will be difficult to read for children who only know Marathi and (not fluent) English.
  2. Share with his housemates. It is very important for children who do not receive gifts not to feel left out in any way. It is therefore essential that gifts unite rather than separate. In any case, it is necessary that Sponsors share their ideas with the Foundation so we can assess together the appropriateness of the gifts and the viability of the shipments in terms of cost and best shipping dates.
• Will the children write back to their Sponsors?
  
  Sponsors should not always expect smooth communication via mail (questions-answers) with the sponsored children for several reasons, one of them being that many of them are still learning how to write (mostly in Marathi, the local language) and are not in the habit of communicating in writing. Therefore, letter-writing for them necessarily involves a process, including translation, which can only be undertaken at specific times (if possible).
  At Asha-Kiran, we believe that the importance and benefits of Sponsorship lie more on the constant support that the children receive through letters and visits from their Sponsors, rather than the answers that they may give to specific questions and concerns of the Sponsors. In any case, if the Sponsor requires specific information about a child, he can contact the Foundation directly.
• Can the children travel to the country where the Sponsor lives?
  
  Asha-Kiran does not specialize in taking children abroad; therefore, it is not possible for the children to travel out of India. We also believe it is important that children are rooted in their culture and reference background so as to avoid cultural clashes caused by short visits.
  In this sense, Asha-Kiran looks after the overall stability of every child.
• Do the children know they have a Sponsor?
  
  Yes, all the children – be it from Yashodhara Home or from the schools we work with – know that there are people who, although far from them, are concerned about their wellbeing, give them their support, and want to stay in touch with them.
• Can I make a donation to my sponsored child?
  
  It is possible to make financial contributions over and above the sponsorship fee. Any donation, the same as the fees, will be allocated to Development Projects carried out in the sponsored child's community. At no time is the money directly given to families or the children, so that no differences or inequalities arise among them.
• Making the Sponsorship official
  
  Once the Sponsorship is in effect, the Sponsor will receive a record with general information about the child who has been assigned to him. The selection will be made by the Foundation without the intervention of the Sponsor.
  
  The record consists of the following four sections:
  General information, Background, Current status and Description of the Project.

  • General Information: age, date of birth, educational level and what the child wants to be when he grows up.
  • Background: the circumstances the child was in before joining the Projects of the Foundation. The thoroughness of information in this section shall be determined by the Foundation, since in some cases there may be information that is not suitable for public dissemination.
  • Current status: this makes reference to the circumstances of the child once he is linked to the Project or Projects of the Foundation.
  • Description of the Project: it will include a brief description of the Project that the child benefits from.

- If you have any doubts or questions regarding Sponsoring, you may get in touch with us and we will reply as soon as possible.