Sponsor an Orphan

Why sponsor an orphan

Every child deserves a chance to thrive – especially those who’ve lost everything. Orphaned children are among the most vulnerable, facing poverty, exploitation, abuse, and a future without education or opportunity.

By sponsoring an orphan, you can protect, support and uplift them, helping their communities thrive. It's a unique opportunity to connect with a child and make a lasting impact on their world.

Reasons to sponsor an orphan:

No stable parental care – Orphans have lost one or more parents and are missing the support of a primary caregiver.
Less day-to-day stability – Orphans are less likely to have consistent care, support and structure in their lives.
Barriers to education – Orphans may struggle to stay in school and access the resources they need.
Difficulty meeting basic needs – Orphans may have trouble accessing essentials like food, shelter, and healthcare.
Increased vulnerability – Orphans are more exposed to exploitation and other forms of harm.

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Types of orphaned children

Many people think of the term 'orphan' as referring to a child who has lost both parents. But In international development, the term 'orphan' is often used more broadly to describe children in different situations of parental loss, including:

Single orphan: A child who has lost either their mother or father to death.

Double orphan: A child who has lost both their parents.

At World Vision, we use the definition of an orphan adopted by UNICEF and many other international organisations: a child under 18 who has lost one or both parents.

In some contexts, the term is also used more broadly to describe children facing different forms of parental loss or lack of consistent care, including:

Social orphan: A child who has living parents but has been abandoned or is not receiving consistent parental care.

Vulnerable child: A child who may have one or both parents alive but is at increased risk of harm due to poverty, conflict, abuse, or other difficult circumstances.

In all cases, the term applies to individuals under 18 years of age.

Orphan stats - at a glance

The data below highlights the global scale of orphaned children and country-level figures. These are estimates, as many orphaned children live in uncertain or unregistered circumstances, and the true number may be higher.

Key orphanhood statistics:

152 million children worldwide are estimated to be orphans according to UNICEF
Between 3-9 million children live in institutions around the world
Children account for around 1 in 3 detected human trafficking victims globally – with those lacking stable care and protection at higher risk of exploitation.
Around 49 million children are displaced due to conflict and violence worldwide, where family separation and loss of parental care are common risks.

The table below provides country-level estimates of orphaned children:

Country	Estimated number of orphaned children
Ethiopia	3,000,000
Tanzania	2,950,000
Uganda	2,200,000
Kenya	2,120,000
Mozambique	2,030,000
Myanmar	1,290,000
Niger	1,000,000
Zambia	980,000
Malawi	940,000
Nepal	620,000
Sierra Leone	330,000

Source: UNICEF How many tool

How sponsoring an orphan helps

Sponsoring an orphan helps provide the consistency they need not only to survive, but to thrive.

Alongside meeting basic needs such as food, shelter, education and healthcare, sponsorship works with local communities to create lasting change.

Orphan sponsorship helps build long-term stability for the child by supporting wider community systems that go beyond short-term interventions. With sustained support, orphaned children can break the cycle of poverty and build better futures.

Young child from DRC seen from behind looking out of a window

Provide protection

At World Vision, we work with some of the most vulnerable orphans in the world, many of who've lost a parent to conflict or ill-health. We use our 75 years of experience to protect children fleeing war and make sure orphans are loved and cared for.

Schoolboy in Zamia sits as a desk smiling

Champion education

From books to desks to better-trained teachers, by sponsoring an orphan, you can help provide the tools to help them achieve in life. You can help build schools, fund teachers and make sure they have fun, fulfilling activities.

A child in Honduras holds a glass of clean water

Deliver water

We provide water not just for the sponsored child but for their whole community, so the whole area prospers. The freedom to drink water - and not to walk miles for it - means the freedom to learn and play as all children should.

A World Vision health worker hands over medicines to a mother carrying a baby on her back.

Improve health

We have always brought healthcare to sponsored children and their communities. We are working to support orphan children with better nutrition and access to medicine and health professionals wherever they are.

Why sponsor an orphan with World Vision

Sponsoring an orphan with World Vision helps provide consistent care and support for an orphan in need. Our focus is on delivering long-term impact for children and communities.

118,000+ children

are safer thanks to child protection interventions

113,500+ children

have access to improved learning environments

26,000+ children

developed confidence, life skills, and resilience through youth programmes

Where you can sponsor an orphan with World Vision

We work around the world to bring safety and security to orphaned children, giving you the choice to support a community close to your heart or one facing the greatest need.

Whether you are looking to sponsor an orphan in Africa or sponsor an orphan in Asia, please contact our customer care team, who will happy to help you find a child.

Learn more about the countries where orphaned children live and the challenges affecting their daily lives.

Where we work in Africa:

Where we work in Asia:

Nepal
Bangladesh

How child sponsorship changed Martha's life

Martha was six when she lost her parents. It was the end of the world as she knew it.

Martha’s Grandmother took her and her two sisters in, but struggled to provide for all of their needs. From a young age, Martha was involved in back-breaking child labour, just to help earn enough to put food on the table and keep them all in school.

“I was doing my best to provide for my sisters,” she says. “Sometimes, [we] went to school hungry, and our teachers fed us.” Her early years were plagued with uncertainty and hardship.

Former sponsored child smiles outside her home in Ethiopia.

Thankfully, when World Vision met Martha, she quickly found a sponsor and her life began to change.

Not only did sponsorship provide Martha with essential school supplies, nutritious food, and a more suitable shelter, but it also gave her new hope.

Now in her twenties, Martha hasn’t forgotten the impact her sponsor had on her life. “Their letters made me feel like I had a family cheering me on."

The encouragement from her sponsor played a pivotal role in reigniting Martha’s dreams. She went on to pursue her studies with renewed passion.

Sponsor an orphan today with World Vision

Ready to make a difference? Contact our Supporter Care team on 01908 84 10 10 to sponsor an orphan today.

Or head to our Sponsor a Child page to meet other children waiting for your support.

FAQs

How much does it cost to sponsor an orphan?

You can sponsor an orphan from just 99p a day - £30 a month.
Which country has the highest orphan population?

The country with the highest estimated orphan population is Ethiopia.
What is the best charity to sponsor an orphan?

The best charity to sponsor an orphan is one that prioritises long-term care and impact. At World Vision, we deliver this through community led, child-focused, and faith-based interventions in almost 100 countries.

Child Sponsorship FAQs

Still have questions?

If you have further questions about Child Sponsorship or want our help finding a child to sponsor, we’re always happy to help.

Contact our Supporter Care Team on 01908 84 10 10 or email us at supporter@worldvision.org.uk.

Please note your regular donation amount may increase during the period of your Child Sponsorship. If this does happen, you will be clearly notified in advance and will be given the choice to not increase your donation.