Baptist World Aid’s Child Sponsorship program began in 1974 after CEO, Rev. Alan Prior discovered a community of orphaned children in India being cared for by families from the local Baptist church. When Baptist World Aid began supporting these children with housing and education, sponsors enthusiastically signed up and thousands of children received shelter, food and education that changed their lives.
This year, we celebrate all God’s done through 50 years of Child Sponsorship.
Today, Baptist World Aid works in partnership with organisations around the world, like SAO Uganda, to run Child and Youth programs available to all the children and youth in a community.
In Uganda, Kennedy was one of the first children to be sponsored. He went on to gain two master’s degrees, is working on a Doctorate of Ministry, and is Vice-President of the SAO Uganda Board. Like many sponsorship programs around the world, SAO Uganda’s emphasis has moved away from individual child welfare.
‘Our approach now says, “We can help communities to care for their children,”’ Kennedy said. ‘Rather than helping one or two children from a family, now you’re empowering the family, economically and socially, to care for their own.’
Baptist World Aid has always asserted the indisputable value and dignity of all children. But over the decades, we’ve learned that young people, when equipped, can transform their communities. With young people emerging as leaders, and generous supporters investing in our Partner’s programs, imagine what God can do over the next 50.
For more information on 50 years of Child sponsorship visit https://bwaa.co/50-years-sponsorship
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