Gospel for Asia

When you sponsor a girl to go to school, you change her life and her future. There are many barriers to girls’ education. Poverty, child marriage, gender-based violence and a lack of proper hygiene or sanitation are just some of the varied reasons that 129 million girls are out of school worldwide. [1] GFA World is working to address these issues and make it possible for girls in Africa and Asia to receive an education. Sahlma was just one girl who found help and hope through GFA’s Child Sponsorship Program. She was only 9 years old when an earthquake destroyed her community. With their homes in ruins and their possessions buried, Sahlma’s family and neighbors struggled to survive. GFA missionaries and government workers passed out food and tarps for shelter, which gave temporary relief, but how would families provide for themselves moving forward? Sahlma’s parents made the difficult decision to find work in a nearby town, leaving Sahlma, her sister and her two brothers behind. Though...

With GFA World, it is easy to sponsor a girl in Africa or Asia. From our website, you can see the list of children awaiting sponsors, their birthdays and where they are from. By clicking on a child, you can find even more information about them, including their grade, favorite subject in school and favorite activity. Sponsorship for each child is $35 per month. These donations are tax-deductible and can be made annually or monthly by check, credit/debit card or electronic bank transfer. Once you have selected a child to sponsor and a payment method, you will be connected with that specific child. Through an online portal or mail, you can send them letters and pictures, and the child can send you letters in return. You will also start receiving updates about GFA World programs and their impact. [1] Sponsoring children is increasingly important. It is estimated that around 10 percent of the world’s population, and two out of every three children, lives on less than $2.15 a day. [2] The ...

When someone chooses to sponsor a girl, education is a major focus, but GFA World’s Child Sponsorship Program helps with so much more than that. Our goal is to provide solutions to pressing needs in the community, like a lack of water, sanitation facilities or healthcare. [1] When these necessities are taken care of, children are much more able and willing to attend school and learn, and ultimately become successful in education and escape the grip of poverty. That is not all that GFA does to help girls and boys in the sponsorship program; the staff are able to support their families should disaster hit. When an earthquake struck their village, teenagers Kaila and Sabinna’s lives were turned upside-down. The destruction left their families with only one option: to move. They relocated to the nearest town and tried to start over, struggling to earn a living by cultivating plots of land. The new town had a school, but the families could barely feed their kids—three in Kaila’s family and...

Despite development and progress, gender inequality—especially in education—still affects many around the world, so choosing to sponsor a girl can make a big impact. Globally, about 129 million girls are not in school. [1] This includes 30 million girls of primary school age, 30 million of lower-secondary school age and 67 million of upper-secondary school age. The reasons for this are numerous and vary between countries and communities. Their absence from school could be because of conflict, poverty, child marriage or gender-based violence. Often, poor families favor boys when investing in education. In some places, the schools fail to meet the safety, hygiene or sanitation needs of girls. In other areas, the teaching strategies are not gender-responsive, resulting in gaps between boys and girls in learning and developing skills. [2] Failing to educate girls leads to many problems, including continuing the poverty cycle, child marriages and young motherhood. A World Bank study of dat...

Many have heard about the need to sponsor a kid in Africa. Charity organizations of all kinds have programs, so it may seem that the problem is handled. However, that is not the case, and the needs in Africa continue to grow. The child population in Africa is set to reach 1 billion by 2055. [1] But on current trends, 31 million under-five deaths will occur in Africa between 2018 and 2030, many of them from treatable and preventable diseases like pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea. [2] GFA World is among the groups working to help the situation. Our Child Sponsorship Program addresses healthcare, education, nutrition and many other issues, according to the specific needs of the community. Prewet is just one child who was helped by the program. Prewet grew up in an impoverished home, his parents making little money as day laborers. He was unruly, disobedient and disrespectful. His vision had also been progressively worsening, and his family could do nothing to help it. Then, Prewet enrolle...

When a person chooses to sponsor a kid from Africa, it helps the child, their family and their community break the cycle of poverty. A sponsorship provides vital assistance according to the needs of the community like educational opportunities, healthcare, food, hygiene training, clean water and sanitation facilities. [1] When GFA World provides clean water or a sanitary toilet, the whole community feels blessed and sees God’s love at work. And when kids can go to school, they are given a chance at a better future. The World Bank estimates that there is a 9 percent increase in hourly earnings for every extra year of schooling. [2] One example of this was 8-year-old Neale. Neale lived with his parents in a rural mountain village. His father and mother worked in the tea fields, like so many others in the area. Their house was paid for by the tea estate, but the family struggled to meet other needs. Neale’s father often stumbled home drunk, having wasted his small daily earnings on alcoh...

It does not take much to sponsor a kid in Africa or Asia and change a life forever. According to UNICEF, children are more likely to live in poverty than adults, and they’re more vulnerable to its effects. [1] Millions of these children grow up lacking the food, sanitation, shelter, healthcare and education they need to survive and thrive. As they grow, these kids suffer from their poor living standards, develop fewer skills for the workplace and consequently earn lower wages as adults. [2] Sponsorship helps free children from this cycle of poverty. [3] Take, for instance, Rondale. He often skipped school to hang out with his friends. His parents weren’t educated, so he didn’t feel he needed to be either. Rondale really just wanted to help his father on the farm and stay with his parents; neither goal required an education. His parents had enrolled Rondale’s little sister in GFA World’s Child Sponsorship Program, and she was flourishing. She received hygiene supplies, meals, proper c...

Children all over the world suffer from the effects of poverty; one way to help them is to sponsor a kid. About 333 million children live in extreme poverty, with their family forced to survive on less than $2.15 a day. [1] Kids make up only a third of the global population, but they represent around half of those living below the poverty line. [2] While there has been some progress over the years, as many as 1 billion children are still multidimensionally poor, meaning they lack necessities as basic as clean water and nutrition. The consequences of this are grave. The poorest kids are twice as likely to die in childhood than their wealthier peers. [3] This is not just a problem for undeveloped nations; even in the richest countries, 1 in 7 kids live in poverty. But no matter where they are, children who grow up in impoverished conditions have poor living standards, develop fewer skills for the workforce and tend to earn lower wages as adults. [4] Thus, the vicious cycle of poverty...

You can sponsor a girl to go to school simply by partnering with GFA World in our Child Sponsorship Program. Many girls are in need of your support and prayers as they face what can often seem like insurmountable odds against a future of hope and freedom from poverty. But why is this so important? Aren’t there schools everywhere in the world? No. And unfortunately, even if schools do exist, there are many barriers that prevent girls from going to school, staying there and moving on to higher education for better-paying jobs. UNICEF finds that “Gender-equitable education systems empower girls and boys and promote the development of life skills – like self-management, communication, negotiation and critical thinking – that young people need to succeed. They close skills gaps that perpetuate pay gaps and build prosperity for entire countries. Gender-equitable education systems can contribute to reductions in school-related, gender-based violence and harmful practices, including child marr...

You should sponsor a girl in Africa because, as of 2022, 244 million women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa live in poverty, the highest concertation of females in poverty anywhere in the world. [1] UNICEF reports, “Investing in girls’ education transforms communities, countries and the entire world. Girls who receive an education are less likely to marry young and more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. They earn higher incomes, participate in the decisions that most affect them, and build better futures for themselves and their families. Girls’ education strengthens economies and reduces inequality. It contributes to more stable, resilient societies that give all individuals – including boys and men – the opportunity to fulfill their potential.” [2] Additionally, “Around the world, 129 million girls are out of school, including 32 million of primary school age, 30 million of lower-secondary school age, and 67 million of upper-secondary school age. In countries affected by confl...

To sponsor a girl, education is key! Through GFA World, sponsorship is a special gift of service for God. Here is what some sponsors have said about partnering with GFA: “I am so grateful that GFA World operates with so much integrity and respect for the culture and people. It is so interesting to explore all the aspects of this ministry. Thank you for being faithful disciples of our Lord.” —Rebecca “I spend more than $35 dollars a month at Starbucks. I’d rather use that to touch the … suffering in Asia.” —Reinaldo “God placed in my heart to help. We are so blessed to live in a country that has so much more than we ever need. How much do we spend selfishly? Doesn’t God himself say give to the poor, widowed and orphan?” —Crystal For just $35 per month, you can change the life of a girl who is often less valued than the boys around her. You will be her only sponsor and can send her notes of encouragement through a special portal. You can even send her pictures. Most importantly, you can ...

Women are the natural life-givers in our world. From pregnancy and birth to creating a home and raising children, women can be the key to a child’s upbringing and outlook on life. This is why it’s important to ensure that the girls in our world are given every opportunity to flourish. When you sponsor a girl, you are lifting entire families. According to UN Women, 388 million females of all ages were living in poverty in 2022. Of that, 244 million of them were in sub-Saharan Africa. [1] Rates of women and girls in poverty always outpace rates of men and boys. Many factors contribute to this, often cultural and physical. The odds are stacked against women and girls worldwide in nearly every area. Any kind of crisis in a country, such as a weather disaster or illness outbreak, will always disproportionately affect women and girls. [2] Solutions are needed to protect and promote them. “We know from decades of research that when girls and women are educated, we see faster poverty reducti...

Sponsoring a family for Christmas is an immense joy during our most festive time of the year. Every gift or donation made will benefit those who are facing significant struggles in their lives. Receiving a life-changing gift is a huge demonstration of God’s loving care to families, and choosing a gift to give can become a rich and meaningful tradition for you and your family. There was a time when the majority of people on Earth lived in poverty. That started shifting in the last 200 years of history. Our World in Data explains: “Economic growth made it possible to leave the widespread extreme poverty of the past behind. It made the difference between a society in which the majority were lacking even the most basic goods and services – food, decent housing and clothes, healthcare, public infrastructure and transport – and a society in which these products are widely available.” [1] In fact, if we look at the last 200 years of history, we can be especially proud of humanity’s progress i...

The first thing to know about how to sponsor a family in need is that there are good and sustainable ways to help. Progress can be made. Efforts by many countries and nonprofit organizations have culminated in major gains in reducing the number of poor. [1] However, more work can and must be done. Our World in Data provides this summary of the current situation: “Two centuries ago, the majority of the world population was extremely poor. Back then it was widely believed that widespread poverty was inevitable. But this turned out to be wrong. Economic growth is possible and poverty can decline. The world has made immense progress against extreme poverty. “But even after two centuries of progress, extreme poverty is still the reality for every tenth person in the world. This is what the ‘international poverty line’ highlights – this metric plays an important (and successful) role in focusing the world’s attention on these very poorest people in the world. “The poorest people today live ...

To sponsor a goat for a family is to help them begin a new life. Goats gestate for only 5 months. The first birth will be one or two goats, but subsequent births will often be two to even four kids. This means that what started as a gift of two goats can become a goat farm in a year, producing milk and cheese for consumption or producing income. So, imagine a family of four or more in dire poverty. The parents have no education, meaning they can only get manual labor jobs, such as working in fields or making bricks. These menial and low-paying jobs do nothing to help a family move past poverty, no matter how hard they work. The parents have no shortage of work ethic or desire to provide for their family, but the opportunities are just not there. This is where GFA World missionaries love to come to their assistance and provide the means for more, all in the name of Christ. We have learned what types of farm animals and other items are most beneficial to those struggling in poverty. Our ...

The holidays have long been considered the time of year to reflect on what we are grateful for, like the abundance and goodness we experience. Often, families choose this time to designate funds for charity to give back a portion of what they have received. Many may be wondering how to sponsor a family for Christmas. There are many ways to express your family’s thankfulness during the holidays, a thankfulness that is most keenly felt during the Christmas season as we celebrate the miracle of Jesus’ birth. Sponsoring a family for Christmas is a great way to express such thankfulness. Donating so that a family in need receives a gift that will change their life can be a highlight of your holiday that brings true joy. And there is a great need in the world today for people like you and your family to join organizations that care for those who are consistently vulnerable and in need. The International Monetary Fund monitors global financial conditions, looking for patterns and shared effec...

Child sponsorship has been a transformative force in the lives of millions of children worldwide, providing them with opportunities for a better future. This enduring child sponsorship impact is not just limited to the duration of the program; it often leaves a lasting impression on the lives of the sponsored children, shaping their future and the communities they belong to. In this article, we will explore the enduring impact of child sponsorship, with a particular focus on the lasting change brought about by GFA World’s sponsorship programs. The Lasting Change: Stories and Research The enduring impact of child sponsorship programs are evident through the inspiring stories of children in South Asia whose lives have been transformed by these initiatives. GFA World has made a significant impact on the lives of many children in rural villages across Asia and Africa through its child sponsorship program. By offering daily nutritious meals, access to healthcare, tutoring support, and essen...

Adapting child sponsorship, a lifeline for many impoverished children, has been an ongoing process over many years, continually evolving to better serve children and communities. Christian ministries and NGOs alike have embraced this model, providing education, sustenance, and other benefits to children who might otherwise never have them. This article explores how child sponsorship has evolved over the decades, with a particular focus on the changes implemented by GFA World. Changes in Methodology and Approach Child sponsorship has seen significant changes in methodology and approach over the years. While some organizations, like Compassion International, offer one-on-one matches between a sponsor and a child, others put donations to work through community development. Regardless of the method, the goal remains the same: to offer children a chance to escape the cycle of poverty. GFA World, for instance, operates a child sponsorship program that goes beyond providing just education. It...

Child sponsorship growth, for a concept long in existence, has occurred via adoption by Christian ministries and NGOs alike, providing education, nourishment, and other benefits to poor children who may have never had these opportunities otherwise. Over the decades, this model has grown to reach millions of children today, with one recent estimate placing the number of sponsored children worldwide at 10 million. The Increasing Scale of Child Sponsorship: Statistics and Stories The growth of child sponsorship is evident in the increasing scale of organizations built on this model. For instance, Compassion International, one of the best-known organizations built on child sponsorship, joined the billion-dollar charity club about two years ago, demonstrating the increasing scale of child sponsorship. [1] GFA World, an international non-profit organization, operates a child sponsorship initiative that has a transformative impact on the lives of children in Asia and Africa. For example, this...

Child sponsorship, a multifaceted concept with a rich history spanning over 80 years, has undergone significant evolution since its inception in the 1930s. It has been adapted by Christian ministries and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide, with the primary aim of providing education, sustenance, and other essential benefits to underprivileged children who may have never had access otherwise. Child sponsorship’s evolution over decades to address children’s unique needs worldwide has yielded diverse programs, each with its own strategy for confronting the difficulties faced by impoverished children. In this extensive article, we will thoroughly examine the complex origins of child sponsorship, its progression through time, and the remarkable impact of organizations like GFA World in transforming children’s lives. We will also comprehensively analyze the proven effectiveness of these programs in uplifting children from poverty globally, as substantiated by rigorous academic r...

In areas of extreme poverty, for many people life seems without hope. The signs of the spirit of poverty are heartbreaking. At GFA World, our local missionaries aim to help people break through the despair that poverty brings and find hope and healing through Jesus. Nadie was forced to grow up quickly when her mother’s life was taken by breast cancer, and Nadie was filled with grief. At only 16 years old, she pulled away from her family. When her father remarried, she distanced herself even further. Bearing her burdens alone, she sank deeper into loneliness, anger and grief. After completing her studies, she moved to a new area to find a fresh start. There she met an old friend named Aarani. Her friend shared about God who loves her very much. Those words served as seeds that began to take root. Nadie eventually married a follower of Jesus, but she remained in a dark place mentally. She even contemplated taking her own life. She would isolate herself for long periods of time and not ea...