Frequently Asked Questions
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Whether you've been sponsoring one of our precious students for months, years or days we want to make sure all your questions are answered! We've compiled questions that are asked more often than others, if you're question is here, great! If not, please fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Our office is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST Feel free to call us at 805-558-0089 |
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Top 3 Sponsorship Myths
When I sponsor a Child, it's a one year commitment.
FALSE. Sponsoring a child is an ongoing commitment that can start in nursery and end in University where you’re able to help meet the basic needs of a child by investing in their education and discipleship, as well as build a relationship and watch them grow up until they, or their family, become independent. Sponsoring a child is like inviting another person into your family.
My monthly donation goes to my sponsored child's personal account.
FALSE. Your monthly donation is combined with the donations of other sponsors so we can supply the school budget with the needed funds to cover all Buyamba eligible children as well as the teachers and staff in order that the school can operate well.
If I cancel my sponsorship, my sponsored child will no longer be able to attend school.
FALSE. If you are no longer able to sponsor your child, they will continue to attend school while we look for another sponsor. In the future if you are able to begin sponsoring again, you can contact us and see if your previous child still needs support.
General FAQ
What communication can I expect to receive from Buyamba?
If you express an interest in any area of Buyamba and you provide your email and/or address, or if you begin sponsoring a child or even give a one time gift, you will be on our list to receive our monthly print newsletters as well as our general bi-monthly email communications.
If you are sponsoring a child, your monthly newsletter may contain a letter from your child, a report card, annual photo or your donation record for tax purposes. Also, please know that we rely on our Uganda office for any updates on your child. You will receive a phone call if there are any changes with your child's sponsorship eligibility, or if we have any donation or billing questions.
If you are sponsoring a child, your monthly newsletter may contain a letter from your child, a report card, annual photo or your donation record for tax purposes. Also, please know that we rely on our Uganda office for any updates on your child. You will receive a phone call if there are any changes with your child's sponsorship eligibility, or if we have any donation or billing questions.
What if I can't afford to sponsor a child but would like to give monthly?
We have several different ways to give! If you feel led to give a monthly donation, outside of sponsoring a child, any amount can be given to help meet the needs of our operations in Uganda. You can give a recurring love gift, you can support any of our building campaigns as any amount helps us in reaching our goals, or you can give your time by volunteering.
How Can I Update My Credit Card Information?
Please call the Buyamba office at 805.558.0089 to update your recurring donation information or send us an email at [email protected]
Sponsorship FAQ
Why do these children need to be sponsored?
There are over 2.5 million orphans in Uganda, due largely to AIDS, and diseases such as malaria, dehydration, respiratory infections and even simple viruses. One out of six children walking the streets are orphaned by at least one parent. Education and discipleship are the hope to produce thriving citizens and leaders who will impact Uganda for Christ.
What does sponsorship pay for?
Your donation of $40 a month supports your child's needs. An Educational Sponsorship pays for needs such as tuition, uniform, school supplies, health checks and food each day. A Residential Sponsorship is needed only for those children who board at the school and covers a child's living expenses such as food, room and board.
Part of the sponsorship program is an agreement between the sponsor child’s family and the school. Your sponsorship is part of this agreement in that the parents (or guardians) are informed that all of a child's tuition, uniforms and schooling is covered and the child's family's job is to furnish requirements.
When our founder, Pastor Dongo, created this program, he was addressing long term change … the problems in the Ugandan culture regarding education are many and Dongo felt that challenging the family to do their part is key in transforming the culture. He believed their must be “skin on it” for the family as a whole to learn the great value of education, for it is one of the struggles of Ugandans in general. The social workers know that they are to look for some effort in the part of each family. If that family is not able to give the total, they are asked to give what they can in supplies and provide an explanation of why they can’t do all and then the school covers it. We are assured that no student is ever left out of the program that does not have requirements but they must communicate and they must give what they can. This sends a message to the whole family unit that education is important and valuable and must be taken seriously.
Buyamba child sponsorship is an amazing model that allows for a one-on-one relationship between a sponsored child and a sponsor, while pooling the gifts of all sponsors who support Buyamba eligible children's school fees or boarding fees in the same account so that we are able to equip Buyamba Orphan Outreach in Uganda to provide education and discipleship for lasting change for both sponsored children and the community surrounding the school.
A child does not receive direct cash benefits like a welfare system. Giving the family or guardian of the child money does not ensure responsible spending.
Part of the sponsorship program is an agreement between the sponsor child’s family and the school. Your sponsorship is part of this agreement in that the parents (or guardians) are informed that all of a child's tuition, uniforms and schooling is covered and the child's family's job is to furnish requirements.
When our founder, Pastor Dongo, created this program, he was addressing long term change … the problems in the Ugandan culture regarding education are many and Dongo felt that challenging the family to do their part is key in transforming the culture. He believed their must be “skin on it” for the family as a whole to learn the great value of education, for it is one of the struggles of Ugandans in general. The social workers know that they are to look for some effort in the part of each family. If that family is not able to give the total, they are asked to give what they can in supplies and provide an explanation of why they can’t do all and then the school covers it. We are assured that no student is ever left out of the program that does not have requirements but they must communicate and they must give what they can. This sends a message to the whole family unit that education is important and valuable and must be taken seriously.
Buyamba child sponsorship is an amazing model that allows for a one-on-one relationship between a sponsored child and a sponsor, while pooling the gifts of all sponsors who support Buyamba eligible children's school fees or boarding fees in the same account so that we are able to equip Buyamba Orphan Outreach in Uganda to provide education and discipleship for lasting change for both sponsored children and the community surrounding the school.
A child does not receive direct cash benefits like a welfare system. Giving the family or guardian of the child money does not ensure responsible spending.
How long can I sponsor my child?
Sponsorship is a journey with your particular child for the school duration. This bond can begin in nursery and last through University, college or any form of higher education. Our goal is to launch a graduate into a successful next step, whether that is trade school, college or a job situation. Your child will benefit greatly from encouragement, prayer, and your financial support.
Can I communicate with my child?
Absolutely! Send your letters and/or family photos to:
Buyamba Uganda
3625 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Suite 265
Westlake Village, CA 91362
*Make sure you write your child's first and last name at the bottom right hand corner of your envelope*
Your letter will be hand carried to Uganda with one of our mission teams.
Suggestions of what to write:
If you'd like to send your child a letter online, click here.
Buyamba Uganda
3625 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Suite 265
Westlake Village, CA 91362
*Make sure you write your child's first and last name at the bottom right hand corner of your envelope*
Your letter will be hand carried to Uganda with one of our mission teams.
Suggestions of what to write:
- Remind your sponsored child that they are the future of Uganda, remind them they are a light in the dark.
- Encourage your child that though there will be obstacles, you are there to support them through prayer and friendship.
- Remind them they are loved and they are special.
- Encourage them to use the gifts God has given them. Discuss the positive things they've done and the things they've accomplished.
If you'd like to send your child a letter online, click here.
Can I send a gift package to my child?
Yes! There are two ways to do this...
1. You can choose to send money through Buyamba Office (Usually $25-$50 per child is very generous).
If you use a Credit or Debit card for sponsorship, you can just instruct us to charge a one-time donation for an amount you prescribe for these gifts. This amount is reported in your tax giving as well. In this case the Social Worker meets with the child to find out what they need (shoes, socks, sweater, blanket, backpack, sheets, etc.) Then the social worker shops for the items and gives them to the child, a picture is taken of the child and their gift and we will forward it to you.
Pros: The child’s need is met
Cons: Child may not get the exact items that you would have sent them.
2. Send your gifts with a team traveling to Uganda
You can send a small package (whatever can fit in a 1 gallon ziploc bag) with either a church or school team in your area traveling to Uganda, or with the Buyamba team who typically travel in January and June each year. Simply mail your gift to our office with the name of your sponsored child and their student ID#. If you are local to the Buyamba office then you can bring it by during our office hours. We send gifts through teams throughout the year.
Mail your gift to:
Buyamba Uganda
3625 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Suite 265
Westlake Village, CA 91362
1. You can choose to send money through Buyamba Office (Usually $25-$50 per child is very generous).
If you use a Credit or Debit card for sponsorship, you can just instruct us to charge a one-time donation for an amount you prescribe for these gifts. This amount is reported in your tax giving as well. In this case the Social Worker meets with the child to find out what they need (shoes, socks, sweater, blanket, backpack, sheets, etc.) Then the social worker shops for the items and gives them to the child, a picture is taken of the child and their gift and we will forward it to you.
Pros: The child’s need is met
Cons: Child may not get the exact items that you would have sent them.
2. Send your gifts with a team traveling to Uganda
You can send a small package (whatever can fit in a 1 gallon ziploc bag) with either a church or school team in your area traveling to Uganda, or with the Buyamba team who typically travel in January and June each year. Simply mail your gift to our office with the name of your sponsored child and their student ID#. If you are local to the Buyamba office then you can bring it by during our office hours. We send gifts through teams throughout the year.
Mail your gift to:
Buyamba Uganda
3625 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Suite 265
Westlake Village, CA 91362
What are the guidelines for sending gifts?
If you would like to bless your child with a personal gift, we would suggest small things that would fit in a one gallon ziploc bag.
Some ideas might include: soft covered books, a bible, crayons, colored pencils, pens, pencils, coloring books, small toys, costume jewelry, stickers, bookmarks, warm weather clothing, such as a T-shirt or light weight shorts or dress. No sweets, please. In case you're wondering what size clothes to purchase, it's always better to guess larger than too small. Keep in mind, the most cherished gift that the children love to share are your photos!
Please make sure you note your child’s full name on the package when you send it to the Buyamba office.
Some ideas might include: soft covered books, a bible, crayons, colored pencils, pens, pencils, coloring books, small toys, costume jewelry, stickers, bookmarks, warm weather clothing, such as a T-shirt or light weight shorts or dress. No sweets, please. In case you're wondering what size clothes to purchase, it's always better to guess larger than too small. Keep in mind, the most cherished gift that the children love to share are your photos!
Please make sure you note your child’s full name on the package when you send it to the Buyamba office.
Is it possible to meet my sponsored child?
Yes, Buyamba offers sponsors the opportunity to join one of our short-term mission trips that are scheduled twice a year and are open to sponsors and donors through an application process.
Visit our Mission Page for more information and to see when the next trip is scheduled!
Visit our Mission Page for more information and to see when the next trip is scheduled!
Why is my child's letter or report card six months old?
One of our goals is to ensure a sponsor is able to build a relationship with their sponsored child through report cards, letters, and photos. This can be challenging when serving a third world country with a lack of infrastructure and corruption in the government. That being said, your child's letter or report card may be dated six months ago and this is because all letters and report cards are collected at the school office until a team or individual from the U.S. takes a trip to the school. Then they bring the letters, report cards, and pictures back with them.
You can expect to receive a minimum of two letters a year, a new photo and a report card.
We would encourage you to write to your child online, for even though they can't respond right away, the children receive your letter, appreciate it and treasure it.
You can expect to receive a minimum of two letters a year, a new photo and a report card.
We would encourage you to write to your child online, for even though they can't respond right away, the children receive your letter, appreciate it and treasure it.
Why doesn't my sponsored child have a birth date listed?
Birthdays, in Uganda, are not celebrated the way they are in the United States. Unlike children in the states, if you were to ask a child in Uganda when their birthday occurs, they might not even know! This poses a problem for us in the United States when we are trying to keep track of our record keeping, but it is not such a big deal in Africa. When a child is orphaned, or moves around form one care taker to another, this background and birth date information may become even more unclear. Many sponsors also worry that they are “late” in sending their child a present or card for their birthday. There is no need to worry about this at all. There is no expectation on the part of your child to receive a birthday present in the mail. However, you are welcome to send one!
Can I connect with my child on social media?
Buyamba takes great joy in seeing sponsors communicate with their child through letters online, handwritten letters and even visiting them in person. In the same fashion, the students at God Cares communicate through hand written letters and face to face visits if the sponsor is in Uganda. There are processes in place to ensure the flow of all communications between sponsor and child.
Communication should never take place via social media platforms or texting applications such as WhatsApp and Viber. Please help us in ensuring this does not take place. It causes additional work on both sides of the ministry when students give false information. There have been many instances over the years when a sponsored child communicates with his or her sponsor and gives an inaccurate picture of their situation at school thus causing confusion, which in turn demands time on the part of the administration to clear up the confusion.
When a child communicates to a sponsor outside of the processes in place, they are actually breaking school rules. Again, we are asking you to help us by communicating only through the systems in place.
There are reasons this system is set up the way it is. For one, the letters are all processed through our trained social workers at the school, ensuring the safety of our children. Second, communication outside of these methods leaves room for misunderstandings and ultimately, it is for the best interest of all involved.
Please come alongside us in this way. If your sponsored child attempts to contact you through Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp or any other medium outside of Buyamba, please first remind them that Buyamba does not allow students to use social media with their sponsors and to please write to you through the social worker and you will get letters accordingly. If it persists, please notify our offices and we will help get these communications back on track.
Communication should never take place via social media platforms or texting applications such as WhatsApp and Viber. Please help us in ensuring this does not take place. It causes additional work on both sides of the ministry when students give false information. There have been many instances over the years when a sponsored child communicates with his or her sponsor and gives an inaccurate picture of their situation at school thus causing confusion, which in turn demands time on the part of the administration to clear up the confusion.
When a child communicates to a sponsor outside of the processes in place, they are actually breaking school rules. Again, we are asking you to help us by communicating only through the systems in place.
There are reasons this system is set up the way it is. For one, the letters are all processed through our trained social workers at the school, ensuring the safety of our children. Second, communication outside of these methods leaves room for misunderstandings and ultimately, it is for the best interest of all involved.
Please come alongside us in this way. If your sponsored child attempts to contact you through Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp or any other medium outside of Buyamba, please first remind them that Buyamba does not allow students to use social media with their sponsors and to please write to you through the social worker and you will get letters accordingly. If it persists, please notify our offices and we will help get these communications back on track.
What happens when my student graduates high school?
When your sponsored child is set to graduate high school, you will receive a letter regarding their desires for the future as well as their class graduation photo. If the student is pursuing a higher education they will likely still need sponsorship and often times, the current sponsorship money will cover a trade school or certain certificate programs … or they could need more, depending on the University or college.
Education and School FAQ
What is Primary School? What Is Secondary School?
The system of education in Uganda has a structure of 7 years of primary education, 6 years of secondary education (divided into 4 years of lower secondary and 2 years of upper secondary school). If your sponsored student is in P1 it is equivalent to first grade. Uganda's secondary education system follows the education system of its former colonial masters, Britain. It is divided into the Ordinary level and Advanced level. Lower secondary consists of 4 years of schooling at the end of which students undertake Ordinary-level exams (O-level) in at least 8 subjects with a maximum of 10 subjects. Upper secondary consists of 2 years of schooling at the end of which students sit Advanced-level exams (A-level) in at least 3 subjects.
Why doesn't my child attend God Cares Schools?
There are over 2.5 million orphans in Uganda and when we take children off the street to offer them an education, it may not always be near God Cares Schools. If your sponsored child is attending another school, rest assured the quality of education and care has been approved by our social workers.
Why does a child need to live at the school?
There are multiple reasons a child lives at the school during term. Some children’s living circumstances are very poor, and they are better taken care of, living at God Cares School. Other times it could be the case that the child lives too far away from God Cares Schools to commute every day. The majority of students attending God Cares high school will also live at the school because of where the high school is located.
What are "Leaving Exams" and what tests do students take in Uganda?
Your child may have asked you to pray for their "Leaving exams"...
The primary leaving exams are the culmination of all she would have learned in Primary School - Grades P1 - P7. It is their standard test. Naturally, some kids get nervous with the testing. She is probably one of them. She is blessed to have a sponsor who will keep her in your prayers. Also feel free to send her an quick note from our website. The lead social worker will get your note to her onsite social worker as soon as possible. Maria will not be able to get notes every day because the location where they receive the notes from the website is across town (about an hour away) from the the Primary School and she does not make that trip every day. But what a blessing that you can keep her constantly in your prayers.
The primary leaving exams are the culmination of all she would have learned in Primary School - Grades P1 - P7. It is their standard test. Naturally, some kids get nervous with the testing. She is probably one of them. She is blessed to have a sponsor who will keep her in your prayers. Also feel free to send her an quick note from our website. The lead social worker will get your note to her onsite social worker as soon as possible. Maria will not be able to get notes every day because the location where they receive the notes from the website is across town (about an hour away) from the the Primary School and she does not make that trip every day. But what a blessing that you can keep her constantly in your prayers.
How Do I read my students report card?
Primary school students have four subjects which include Math, Science, English and Social Studies. Lower secondary students have eight compulsory subjects which include: English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, History and Literature and the student can take up to seven elective classes. Below is a key to understand the report card you receive in the mail.
Grading Key:
1 - 2 = A
3 - 4 = B
5 - 6 = C
7 - 8 = D
9 = F
Division / Result
1 - 2 = Excellent
3 - 4 = Average
5 - 8 = Failure
If you see that your sponsored student isn’t doing so well in school, please keep him or her in your prayers for they have many unseen challenges ranging from post-traumatic stress to concerns about their family’s well being.
Grading Key:
1 - 2 = A
3 - 4 = B
5 - 6 = C
7 - 8 = D
9 = F
Division / Result
1 - 2 = Excellent
3 - 4 = Average
5 - 8 = Failure
If you see that your sponsored student isn’t doing so well in school, please keep him or her in your prayers for they have many unseen challenges ranging from post-traumatic stress to concerns about their family’s well being.
