Common Questions

How much does it cost to sponsor a child   more >>

What if I can’t afford $40 per month   more >>

What about poverty in New Zealand   more >>

Who does World Vision help   more >>

How much money goes overseas   more >>

How does a project start   more >>

What happens when a project finishes   more >>

Who does World Vision employ in projects  more >>

How many children do New Zealanders sponsor   more >>>

How do we know the money reaches the projects   more >>

How much does it cost to sponsor a child?

A minimum of $40 per month

What if I can’t afford $40 per month?

We would recommend you support our World Vision Children in Crisis programme which is helping the children that Child Sponsorship doesn’t reach. It costs from $10 per month.

What about poverty in New Zealand?

Although there is growing poverty in New Zealand, there are also many systems and agencies to assist those in need. There is always more need in the world than we are able to deal with, so World Vision New Zealand has decided to assist the poorest of the poor. We determine where our projects should be based on the United Nations measurements of poverty. Therefore, our focus is on Africa, Asia and Latin America according to the needs.

Who does World Vision help?

World Vision is a Christian aid agency and we help people on the basis of their need. This means our assistance is given regardless of race, religion or creed. In some projects we co-operate with local church leadership. This must be appropriate in the context of the programme. The families in these communities are given an opportunity for Christian education appropriate to their own culture but it's their choice to participate.

How much money goes overseas?

World Vision is committed to sending as much money as possible overseas, and tries to keep the cost of administration and marketing down to under 25%. Last financial year, 2007, we allocated 78% of funds raised overseas, with costs of 22%.

We are fortunate to get generous advertising rates from television, radio, print and billboard media and many of the ads you see on tv are shown in free spots, which helps our marketing budget immensely.

Our annual accounts can be viewed on our website - Click here.

How does a project start?

World Vision offices in needy countries receive many requests from communities living in poverty. When we are approached by a group or community for help, we discuss with them their greatest needs and which solutions might bring maximum benefit to the whole community. It takes many months of planning and discussion before the aims and goals are formed and the project established. Even once the needs have been identified and the priorities established, the project is funded for two years before being opened for sponsorship. Called "seed funding", this stage is to prepare the communities and establish relationships - like planting a seed.

What happens when the project finishes?

Just because a project finishes it doesn't mean the development activities in the community have finished. The whole aim of the projects is ongoing sustainability - the community will continue planning and implementing activities and develop the skills they have learnt through the development process.

Who does World Vision employ in projects?

Our projects are designed to develop and encourage self-determination. Therefore, we aim to employ local people wherever possible. We have a very limited recruitment programme for overseas personnel - whether paid or voluntary - because it is our policy to employ nationals of the countries we work in.
This not only gives extra employment opportunities but also avoids problems that expatriates can experience relating to visas, work permits, living conditions and language. We employ expatriates with specialist qualifications for short-term contract positions in areas where the skills are not locally available.
If you are interested in working in paid employment for World Vision overseas, the World Vision International web site contains a current list of jobs available through out the partnership. Go to www.wvi.org for more information.

How many children do New Zealanders sponsor?

As of March 2008, NZers sponsor more than 83,000 children through World Vision projects.

How do we know the money reaches the projects?

In our relief projects, World Vision personnel administer funds and in our development projects each project manager submits monthly reports. These reports are consolidated and monitored by experienced staff in our New Zealand office. Projects are also visited by New Zealand staff experienced in development for firsthand monitoring of the programme.
World Vision New Zealand is independently audited every year. A full copy of our latest financial statement is available by contacting our Customer Services Team (0800 800 776) and a summary is available online. We are fully committed to being good stewards of the money entrusted to us.