FAQs

These are the most commonly asked questions about child sponsorship, but if you are unable to find your answer then please contact us or call our office at 972-620-2020. Click on a question to find out the answer.

About Child Sponsorship

• How does a child become a part of the Father's Heart Program?

  Children become eligible for sponsorship through our annual Camp LIFE program. 

• What is the role of a Father's Heart Sponsor?

  The significance of your sponsorship must not be underestimated – you make the difference! When you invest in the life of a child in Zambia, you not only provide an education and discipleship, but a friendship that will have a lasting impact on your child. As his/her sponsor, your child will know you and pray for you by name.

• What benefits will the child I sponsor receive?

  As a sponsored child in the Father’s Heart program, your child will receive opportunities and services that most of the world’s poorest children will simply never see.

About Financial Commitment

• How much of my monthly support will actually benefit the child I sponsor?

  Family Legacy has one of the lowest overhead administration costs of any child sponsorship organization. Over the last 5 years, our fundraising and administration costs have averaged less than 5%, meaning that 95% of contributions have been directly used to minister to the kids. Of course no actual “money” is ever given directly to the kids, but rather they receive the full benefit of the funds as they are spent.

• Is my contribution tax-deductible?

  Yes. All contributions to Family Legacy Missions International are tax-deductible unless stated otherwise.

• Can I pay my monthly sponsorship amount by electronic check?

  Yes. Family Legacy is now offering automatic drafts to be taken directly from your bank checking or savings account on a recurring basis with no hassle for you. We’ll process your donation at the amount and frequency specified to provide sponsorship for your child. If you would like to do an automatic bank draft, please contact our office at 972-620-2020 ext. 131.

• How long do I have to commit to sponsoring a child?

  While we would like to encourage long-term and ongoing sponsorships for the benefit of the children, if you are unable to continue, you are free to terminate your Father’s Heart Sponsorship at any time with a 30 day advance notice to our office.

• If I must discontinue my sponsorship, what happens to the child I sponsor?

  If you need to discontinue your support, we will immediately look for a new sponsor for your child.  We ask that you do the same to try to locate another sponsor from your circle of friends and family.  To the best of our ability, we will find a sponsor to continue the child’s support without interruption.

• Will I be the only person sponsoring my child?

  Yes! Your child has just one sponsor: YOU! That is why your prayers, letters, and support mean so much to your sponsored child. Even if you choose to sponsor a child as a family or group, the child will still be relating to the group or family as his or her only sponsor. No other group or individual will sponsor the child assigned to your care.

• How long does the child stay in the Father's Heart Program?

  Depending on the circumstances of a particular child, they will “graduate” from the program somewhere between the ages of 18-21.

• What if my child moves away or leaves the Father's Heart Program?

  These are certain occasions when children cannot remain in the program. (For example, their caretakers may move them to another part of the country where Family Legacy is not yet working.)  In this case, you will be notified as soon as possible and then be given the opportunity to transfer your sponsorship to another child.

About Communication

• How can I communicate with the child I sponsor?

  Our website is the most effective and efficient means of corresponding with your child. When you signed up to sponsor your child, you created a log in name to have access to your sponsor page. This page will provide the opportunity for you to write a letter to your child. It will be sent to our offices in Zambia and then delivered to your child. He or she will then respond back to you with a hand written letter (that you will receive electronically). If you choose to mail a letter to your child, please send all correspondence to:

  Family Legacy Missions International
  Attn: Father’s Heart Program
  5005 West Royal Lane, Suite 252
  Irving, TX. 75063

  You may enclose a personal or family photo in actual letters, which will be scanned and sent to our Zambian offices for delivery to your child.

  Please keep in mind, with the large volume of sponsored children and American supporters, response time can take several weeks. Thank you for your patience as we work to send and receive many letters throughout the year. 

• What should I write?

  Keep your letters relatively brief and simple. Tell the child about yourself, your family, and friends. Include information about the hobbies you enjoy or sports you play. Explain the geography of where you live. Encourage the child based on what you already know about them. Write a prayer out for the child or a favorite/encouraging scripture.

  Please make sure that you include your child’s first and last name and the child’s Sponsorship Code on the outside of the envelope of your letter. This information is located on your sponsor page through our website or you may call our office.

• What should I avoid communicating to my child?

  Although we encourage open, honest communication between sponsor and child, there are certain topics you should avoid because of the cultural differences and also to ensure the emotional protection of the child. Please do not elaborate on material possessions or finances, promise that you will visit your child, suggest that the child visit the United States, or use slang terms that may not translate cross-culturally.

  Please do not include any personal contact information in your letter such as address, phone numbers, email addresses, etc.

• Will my sponsored child write to me and how often?

  Yes, at least two times a year your sponsored child will write to you. If your child is too young, your child’s discipleship leader will help them or they may choose to draw pictures.

• May I visit my child?

  Yes, you may visit your child in their community by participating in a Father’s Heart trip in conjunction with our Camp LIFE summer program. This two-day experience provides a tour of the capital and a personal visit to your child’s home. You will get to see where they live, meet their caretakers, and experience their day-to-day life. Please contact our offices at 972-620-2020 ext. 131 to find out more information. All visits must be arranged through our USA office.

• May I send gifts to my child?

  Unfortunately, because of the import duties and customs restrictions, as well as to maintain a sense of equality between sponsored children in a community, we DO NOT ALLOW sponsors to send personal gifts to their children. Instead, you will be given an annual opportunity to make a contribution to our Father’s Heart Christmas Celebration that will provide a special blessing to the children!

  If you visit your child in Zambia through a Father’s Heart trip, you are allowed to bring small gifts to personally give to your sponsored child.