1. How does CHI differ from other sponsorship programs?
CHI focuses on orphaned or abandoned children.

2. Can I sponsor an orphan online?
 Yes! Click here.

3. What will I get as a sponsor?

• First, you will receive a welcome packet via email introducing you to the program and explaining your Personal Page, where you will have access to your sponsored orphan's profile.
• Within the first few months after signing up, you should receive a letter from your sponsored orphan.
• You will receive regular electronic statements for your contributions.
• You will have secure 24 hour access to your contribution and sponsorship information.
• You will receive annual progress reports on your sponsored orphan's well-being and education.
• You will receive a new, current photo of your child each year.

4. How much does sponsorship cost?
 $32 per month (a little more than $1 a day).  You can pay on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis.

5. Can I choose the orphan I want to sponsor?
Click the red "Sponsor an Orphan" button on the home page to bring up a child's profile and photograph.  You may choose a child randomly or use the tool on the left side of the page to sponsor an orphan by country.   

6. In what countries does CHI offer orphan sponsorship?
CHI has developed sponsorship programs in China, India, Kazakhstan, and Russia and Vietnam. We plan to add orphans from Colombia, Ethiopia, and Guatemala very soon!

7. Can I sponsor an orphan in the United States?
In the United States, CHI assists children through projects and partner organizations. However, we do not offer sponsorship of orphans living in the United States.

8. Am I the only sponsor for my orphan?
Only one sponsor is assigned per orphan. The child may also receive assistance such as foster care, weekend outings, etc. from an individual or family within his/her own country.

9. How does my sponsored orphan benefit from my gift?
Your gift can help provide education, health care, proper clothing, and nutritious food for your child, depending on his or her specific needs.  The sponsorship money you send is combined with funds from other people sponsoring orphans in the same orphanage or community as your child.  When possible, sponsorship funds are directed to benefit your child in ways that also impact his or her entire community, such as digging new wells, supplying medical equipment, updating sanitation facilities, or improving educational resources.  By strengthening the community, we work together to improve your sponsored orphan's quality of life and offer long-term improvements for his or her future.

10. Can I sponsor an orphan on behalf of another person?
Yes. When completing your application for sponsorship, please select "honorarium" if the sponsorship is in honor of someone or "memorial" if it is in memory of someone. You will then have the opportunity to enter that person's information.

11. How does CHI start a sponsorship project?
Before a sponsorship project begins, CHI meets with the orphanage's directors, local government, and community leaders to assess the needs of children and the community. CHI then submits a program description to the local government that outlines the Orphan Sponsorship Program and ways it can specifically benefit orphans within their region. 

By working directly with the community, we empower people to bring about positive change for themselves. CHI only develops projects that the local population is unable to implement without assistance. Once specific needs are determined, a project proposal is created which estimates the number of orphans who will benefit, specifies a proposed budget and timeline, and outlines specific goals and objectives.  The proposal is then submitted to CHI's main office.  If approved, funding is forwarded and the project begins.

12. How are orphans chosen for sponsorship?
Sponsored orphans are children under the age of sixteen whose parents have died, disappeared, or abandoned or become separated from their child.  Also included are children for whom the sole or surviving parent is incapable of providing proper care.  The majority of sponsored children live in orphanages, although some may spend significant amounts of time with foster families, according to the child welfare system of their home country. 

13. How long is an orphan in the sponsorship program?
There is no set age when a child must leave our sponsorship program.  The goal of sponsorship is to bring an orphan to the day when he or she no longer needs this type of assistance, and this period of time will differ for each child. Sponsorship length can depend on an orphan's age when sponsorship begins, disability, family and/or community circumstances, progress in the sponsorship project, and other factors. An orphan may be in his or her late teens but still need assistance to continue attending school or learning a trade: in many countries, children may begin school at an older age than children in the United States. 

As long as a sponsored orphan belongs in a CHI program, he or she will continue to receive assistance.  One of the most satisfying rewards of orphan sponsorship is the moment when your child becomes healthy and self-reliant enough to leave sponsorship behind. We will notify you when your sponsored orphan is no longer dependent upon assistance.  At that time, we will offer you the opportunity to sponsor another orphan.

14. Could my orphan be removed from the sponsorship program before he or she gains independence?
CHI may have to remove a child from sponsorship if the child leaves the orphanage, finds a forever family, or other reasons.  Each occurrence has unique conditions and circumstances, and CHI will communicate directly with sponsors when such situations arise.

15. Does CHI work with other organizations?
Yes.  CHI works with reputable organizations in the US and other countries to better assist orphans.

16. If I can't sponsor an orphan at this time, can I still help?
Yes.  If you are unable to sponsor an orphan at this time, you can make a contribution to our Project Fund through our website, by mail, or over the phone.  You can specify that your gift be used in a particular country or mark it undesignated, so that it may be sent where the need is greatest. Click here for a list of current projects.