How Sponsorship Works

The Bridge of Hope is a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to helping children, families, and communities in Sierra Leone, Africa, by teaching them about God's love and grace and helping them to have access to the basic needs of life, where they are healthy, equipped, and empowered to support themselves and find purpose in serving others.

We know that poverty is complex and is seldom solved by one intervention. We look at each communities needs — a sponsored child and his or her entire community — and how they will benefit from all of our programs: clean water through new or renovated wells, school fees paid for and supplies provided, better education due to new and restored schools and teacher training, improved nutrition due to feeding programs and agricultural training, improved health with free healthcare clinics, hygiene training and vitamin projects and restored hope with planting churches and biblical training.

We strive to help transform the lives of the world's poorest children and families in Sierra Leone through programs that include a holistic approach to meeting people's physical and spiritual needs.  Our non-profit work assists all people, regardless of religious beliefs, gender, race, or ethnic background.

The Bridge Child Sponsorship Program allows for a one-on-one relationship with a sponsor, while pooling the gifts of all sponsors who support children in the same community so that we can provide resources for long-term change for the lives of everyone involved.  A sponsored child does not receive direct cash benefits like a welfare system. We believe in responsible spending. Giving the child's family money does not ensure the donation will help the child or that the community will be able to sustain itself once The Bridge is no longer working in the area.

Successful development that frees people from long-term poverty is discovered in helping people realize their God-given value and purpose as human beings created in the image of God. Spiritual transformation that instills hope and promise for the future is a fundamental key.  Clean water, health care, agriculture, education, and income generation are essential; however, they are secondary to getting the community to take ownership of these projects long-term.  The needs and participation of children are most important, as they are the future of their community. Our goal is to teach, instead of handing over something already done. 

We are working on making this an option in the future!  Shipping has been unreliable and expensive. Right now, the only reliable way of getting gifts there is through our team visits during short-term mission trips, but that is difficult because we bring essential supplies that help a whole community. So, for now, monetary gifts are the best way to support your child and allow for the growth of their own economy.

The goal of The Bridge's child sponsorship is to improve children's lives, giving them HOPE for the future. Our child sponsorship programs have four basic aspirations that guide our work and on which our work is measured.

• Help the sick: Children have the right to play and live healthy lives

• Open doors: Children have the right to help make their communities a better place to live, to be loved, and to feel safe

• Plant churches: Children have the right to know who God is and to see His love in action

• Educate & equip: Children have the right to enjoy free education

In addition, we work with local churches and our own schools to ensure that a sponsor's gift will also help provide a Christian education program to give children the chance to learn about Jesus and His love.

The monthly sponsorship gifts also cover the costs of keeping records on sponsored children, translating and forwarding letters, and meeting emergent needs. Some of these funds support local nurses, teachers, and other specialized staff members who serve sponsored children in their communities. When a child is sponsored, they are notified. Then, the relationship between the child and the sponsor begins. Knowing someone in a different part of the world cares enough to help and pray for them gives them the hope they need to continue. 

The Bridge also plants churches and ensures that all we do is centered around the local church. Persons of any faith are welcome into our schools, but often sponsored children and their families, after being touched by the love and care of The Bridge staff, have asked questions about our faith; many have come to share it. Our role in the kingdom is to be faithful to His command to serve the poor, and The Bridge believes that only God can change hearts, and we are to be His vessels of change.

As The Bridge expands, we can work in more communities in and around Makeni, Sierra Leone. Once a school program is up and running in that community, those children become part of our Child Sponsorship Program.

Your sponsorship may last several years, depending on the needs of your sponsored child. The goal of The Bridge sponsorship is to help your sponsored child and his or her community break free from poverty, become self-sustainable, and have a hope-filled future. We have schools from nursery through senior secondary school, allowing your sponsorship to continue until your child is ready to attend university!

About 2 weeks after you sponsor a child, you will receive a Welcome Kit in the mail with your child's photo and more sponsorship information. Within 6 to 12 weeks, look in the mail for your first letter from your sponsored child! The timing varies depending on the availability of our in-country staff and the Internet access.

We believe that relationships change lives, and the bond you build with your sponsored child will change their life and yours. Once you sign up to sponsor a child, you can access your account and correspond with your child by typing or scanning letters.  Most children will not have access to the internet, but our leaders in-country will be taught to use the system and take a printout of the letter or picture to the child.  In turn, they will also write you a letter that can be scanned and returned.

You may also choose to visit your sponsored child for a life-changing adventure neither of you will forget by going on one of our short-term mission trips. Please note that trips are usually offered between January and April, their dry season. Planning and preparing for these trips start in the fall.