Since the very beginnings of Safe Passage, child sponsors have served an essential role as mentors and friends to our children.  As a child sponsor, you will not only provide financial assistance, but also emotional support and encouragement to a child who is truly in need.

How are children accepted into the program?
The selection process involves home visits and interviews with the child and his/her family to determine the child’s needs. Factors taken into consideration during the selection process include economic need, the child’s own desire to study, prior school performance and history and the child’s and family’s interest in the program. While most children are accepted just prior to the beginning of the school year, in extraordinary circumstances children may be accepted at any time of the year. We normally receive many more applications than we can possibly accept, therefore we must select from the children who have the greatest need.

What services do the children receive?
Safe Passage runs year-round. We provide the children with their enrollment fee, school uniform, shoes, books and school supplies at the start of each school year in January. These items are required by the Guatemalan public schools. In our center we also provide the children with educational reinforcement, a daily snack and lunch, creative programs, sports, casework services, medical services, family support and teen groups.

The children and their families can also earn monthly assistance in the form of a food bag which includes: pasta, rice, beans, salt, soup mix, detergent, cooking oil, hot cereal and sugar. The food bags are designed to reward the children for consistent school attendance and academic progress while giving other family members a vested interest in the education of the child.

What is the current direct cost per child?

The direct cost per child is about $2400 per year. You can become a sponsor for $600 per year, or sole sponsor to a child for $2400 per year (covering the child’s direct cost). Click here to become a child sponsor.

At what age do the children leave the program?
The children leave the program when they have completed their education through high school or when they have become self sufficient individuals.

What does it mean to sponsor a child?
By sponsoring a child through our program, you are developing a personal connection with our program and a particular child. You play a great role as a child’s sponsor. Your child will look to you for encouragement, guidance and care. You can make a great difference as your child pursues his or her education.

Can a child have more than one sponsor?
Yes. We feel that additional sponsors’ support and encouragement will further enrich our children’s experience and education.

How long is my commitment as a sponsor?
The minimum commitment for a sponsor is one year. Most sponsors continue for many years and for as long as the child remains in school.

What happens if my child leaves the program?
In working with at-risk children, a challenge we face is that not all children will stay in Safe Passage even when great efforts are made by our staff. If your sponsored child leaves our program we will notify you and assign another child at your request.

Do my contributions go directly and exclusively to my sponsored child?
We do not have the administrative support to manage over 500 different accounts, one for each child. Contributions received from sponsors go to one combined fund and from there we take out what is needed to pay the bills of each child according to their needs at the time. This is similar to most programs that we know.

How often can I write to my sponsored child?
You are welcome to write as many letters as you like, and while your child might not respond to each letter, be assured that you will hear from your child at various times during the year. Letter writing is the most important way to form a supportive relationship with your sponsored child.

What should I write to my child about?
You will receive a background profile of your child that will help you better understand your sponsored child’s life. We encourage you to ask your child about his/her interests, favorite classes, siblings, tell you about Guatemala, etc. Also, your child is very interested in knowing about you. What is life like where you live? Do you have children? Do you have pets? What is your occupation? In addition, the children love to receive photos of you and your family.

What should I avoid writing about?
We recommend you avoid issues that you yourself do not wish to discuss further, i.e a family crisis, or emphasizing expensive luxury items that might make your child resentful of a class or culture difference. Please do not suggest that your child come visit you, as it would be nearly impossible to arrange a visit. Also, if you are planning to visit your child in Guatemala please refrain from telling your child until you have an actual ticket and your trip is 100% confirmed.

How long should my letters be?
Since we rely on volunteers to translate your letters from English to Spanish, please try to keep them to one page. This is also an ideal length for your child to read.

Where should I send my letters?
You can send quick “hellos” and brief messages to our email account at: sponsorship@safepassage.org.

And you may send letters and cards to:
Proyecto Camino Seguro
Att: Your Child’s Name
Calle del Hermano Pedro #4
Antigua, Guatemala.

Does my child personally write the letters I receive?
Yes. Their thoughts, phrasing and messages come directly from them to you. We help out only by holding the pen if your sponsored child is too young to read and write on his/her own and of course with translating to English.

Can I send gifts and packages?

We will no longer be accepting packages in Guatemala and ask that sponsors refrain from sending any. This is to develop better equity between our children. We’ve found that too many gifts create issues of jealousy and expectancy among the children and within their communities.

May I buy a birthday gift for my sponsored child?
Yes, if you would like us to purchase a small birthday gift for your child we can do so. You will receive an email reminder one month before your child’s birthday and will be given directions of how to give funds for a gift if you wish to have one bought.

May I buy a Christmas Gift for my child?

As a program, we are committed to provide a gift to each of our children at Safe Passage for the holidays. Each year, the needs of the children will be assessed to determine what will be bought and given to the kids. We have a Gift Fund in place and ask our child sponsors in September to donate to the Gift Fund, to ensure that all of our children receive a gift in December.

If you have any further questions regarding any of the sponsorship information please contact sponsorship@safepassage.org.

Click here to fill out the Sponsorship Application.

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