I feel so sorry when I come across street children. Would it help them if I gave them money?
We strongly discourage the giving of money to children on the street as this perpetuates the cycle they are in. Often foreigner’s give so much that the child can earn a few hundred rupees a day. Consequently, this means that the families will never let their children attend school, as the income they get from being on the streets is too high to give up. Please give fruit or water to any child you see, but not money and encourage anyone you know to do the same.
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How do you choose the children in your projects?
The children come from the street, slums, broken families or are orphans. Some of the children are referred by "CHILD LINE", "Child Rights," or other N.G.Os working for the children. The admission of the child is based on the severity of the case.
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Does El Shaddai take all the children from one family?
It's all depends on the situation. If the children have no one to look after them or the child has lost both parents or the family is in extreme conditions then we may help all the children in the family.
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How much does it cost to sponsor a child?
It costs between £20-£25 sterling to sponsor a child every month which includes food, clothing, education and medicine.
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Do children leave your homes?
Yes. We believe the best place for a child to grow is with his/her family. This happens when the family environment is conducive for the healthy growth of the child and the parents feel capable of supporting their child. Sometimes, if required, we continue to render support for the education and medical needs of the child through our community sponsorship program.
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What happens if the child I am sponsoring leaves the organization?
You will be informed by post or email with details of why the child is no longer in our care. You could then choose to continue to support the same child (as a community sponsor) or sponsor a new child from our home.
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What sort of education will be given to the children?
Children are either given formal education in good fee paying local schools or non formal education in our own school after assessing their ability.
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Do I have to write to the child?
It is not compulsory but we encourage you as the child gets a lot of encouragement and a sense of belonging through your letters.
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If I am a U.K. tax payer can El Shaddai get some money back using gift aid?
The Gift aid is the system the government uses to encourage people to give to charities. It does not cost you any thing and is very simple to set up. The government gives the charity the tax you paid on your donations. If you complete a gift aid declaration El Shaddai will be able to recover the money back. If you are a U.K tax payer please contact our U.K. office for more information.
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Will any one have access to my address?
No. We will never share any information we take from you with third parties unless specified. Your address will not even be passed to the child. The child will be able to communicate with you only through El Shaddai Goa office. Please make sure that you do not include your address on any correspondence you send, to help the office only send your name, the child’s name and I.D. number at the top of the letter.
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What happens when the child grows up?
Once a child reaches their adolescent years, he/she will be re located in our Children's Village. This village will consist of small cottages with 8 to 10 children in each. The children can continue their education in colleges, University or be apprenticed in the city locally. We will act as a supporting body until they become confident individuals and able to stand on their feet. For more information, read about our Future projects.
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I would like to take gifts out to the children in Goa. What items would be most appreciated?
Please search our Needs List for items we currently require. Please note: In India most things are far cheaper and available now. It is better to bring money and buy locally.
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How many children are sponsored through El Shaddai?
El Shaddai supports more than 450 vulnerable children in Goa and 150 in Bangalore.
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What happens if I have to stop sponsoring the child?
Some times circumstances change and the sponsor is no longer able to continue with the sponsorship. If this happens the child will remain with us and we will find another sponsor. Email us at and inform us. It would be wonderful if one of your friends could take on the sponsorship so that you can keep up to date with the child's progress.
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How is the health of the children handled?
The children are trained in cleanliness and hygiene. Each Home has staff with knowledge of first aid. Children are admitted to local hospitals, see local doctors/dentists and specialists whenever necessary and looked after with the utmost care.
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Will I receive letters from the child and can I write back to them?
Yes. You can expect to receive two to three letters a year from your child and we encourage you to write back!
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Can I send gifts to the child?
As parcels are lost or stolen before reaching us, please only send the money for gifts to your child through the El Shaddai office in your own country, stating clearly your child's name and I.D. number as many children have the same names. We buy the gift in Goa and post you a photo of your child receiving it. Christmas and birthdays are the usual times but out of season gifts are always welcome.
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How much of my sponsorship will benefit the child and what exactly happens to the money I give each month?
Your donation does not go directly to the child. The donations go to the El Shaddai account so all children are treated the same. El Shaddai has started a corporate fund where any extra money is placed; the idea is to generate a secure financial future for the charity. If anything was to happen to Anita or Matthew, El Shaddai would be able to continue helping the children through this fund.
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Do the Children maintain their own religious and cultural identity?
We run on Christian principles. Christian values are taught as a code of living. We do not interfere with their cultural identity. The children are also taught some western ideas to help them in the Homes to have a common way of life as many of the children come from different parts of India and have varied and extreme cultural backgrounds.
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How can I become a volunteer?
If you are interested in volunteering your services, please see our volunteers' section on this website.
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If I become a volunteer, will my skills be utilized?
Usually, this can be discussed with the coordinator on request. For any further enquiries please contact UK office or click on to the Volunteer info.
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Can I bring clothes, shoes and toys for the children?
Anyone coming to Goa for a holiday can usually bring an extra case of second hand children’s cotton clothes and shoes to us free of charge. Please contact Jim Jones Tel 01625 526216 or xsbaggage@childrescue.net who arranges all the XS baggage and can advise on what to bring. For any further enquiries please contact UK office or view the Volunteers' section on this website.
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