"Most of our supporters are relatively well-off people and many of them are white, so if you're asking them to choose a picture of a brown or black child and choose the country they come from effectively, that's a very transactional relationship and quite a paternalistic one. We recognise that the current child sponsorship model reflects a different time. ActionAid's supporters sponsor children in 30 countries, with the money providing 34% of the charity's global funds, according to Ghazi."
"We're in the process, until 2028, of transformation that includes our systems, what money we give, how we procure services - we're decolonising it. We are evolving the model so it is shaped by community voices and responds to the realities they face today, adds Bond. We value our sponsors and remain committed to making sure their support continues to have a real impact. Meaningful change takes time, and this work is rooted in genuine commitment rather than lip service."
ActionAid UK is transforming its child sponsorship model to remove racialised, paternalistic dynamics and shift from sympathy to solidarity and partnership. The organisation will reshape funding and procurement practices through a transformation process running until 2028, aiming to centre community voices across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Sponsors currently fund children in 30 countries and provide 34% of global funds, so change must preserve impact while decentralising decision-making. The charity plans a dedicated fund for women’s rights groups under attack and emphasizes sustained commitment to meaningful, not performative, change.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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