Our Sponsor Sites

Where we Work

Sponsorship FAQ's

You may choose a child from our website or you may wish to contact our office via e-mail, phone or mail. Or, you may mail your request to Chalice.

If you wish to sponsor a child in memory of a loved one or give the sponsorship as a gift, please send all details regarding the name and address of the recipient to Chalice.  They will be sent a child folder and card informing them of your gift.  The official tax receipt will be issued to you.
As long as you choose. Sponsorship works best as a long term relationship between you and your sponsored friend; therefore, we would request a minimum commitment of six months.

Children usually stay in a program until they have completed school. Sometimes, however, circumstances arise that a child may leave the program beforehand. When this happens you will be notified and, if you wish, a new child will be offered to you.

 

The sponsorship cost is $33 per month for a total of $396 annually. You may make your contributions via cheque, post dated cheques or preauthorized payments from your bank account or credit card.* automatic withdrawal is only available from Canadian bank accounts – sponsor now -

No.  Chalice is rooted in Catholic social teaching that affirms the sacredness of life, and the dignity of all people.  Therefore, all those in need are considered for sponsorship, regardless of colour, nationality or creed.
Yes, Chalice is a registered charity in Canada under the income tax act.  Our CRA registration number is 13759 1012 RR0001. Official income tax receipts are issued in February.

The care a sponsored child or aged receives depends upon the circumstances and the nature of the sponsor sites.

Some projects care for homeless children or children not able to remain at home. In these cases your sponsorship will provide a home, a chance to go to school, nourishment, clothing and medical care, including visits to doctors or dentists. 

For the children under the care of parents or a guardian, help is given to the child and family.  This may include education, nutrition, clothing and/or medical care.

Elderly are provided with shelter, nutrition and clothing; and for those with illnesses, medication and treatment.

No. Chalice respects the privacy of their supporters.  We keep all information on our supporters in a very secure system and do not release names or other information to other organizations.
To make any changes to your personal information (address, banking or credit card information) please contact Chalice.
In many cases when a child leaves the sponsorship programme, they move from the area, thus making it impossible for the sponsor site staff to keep in contact.  Due to the amount of children being sponsored or in need of sponsorship, it is not feasible to keep records on those that have left the programme.  It is also the hope that the sponsor will form a bond with a new child, giving them the same opportunity to maximize their potential.

Many of our sponsor sites are not equipped with regular internet access.

If you wish to e-mail a letter to your child, please direct it to your Sponsor Representative, who will forward it on for you.

If you wish to mail cards, letters, photos, postcards, etc., please put your Child ID and/or Sponsor ID number clearly on your correspondence and mail to the Chalice office in Springhill.  Please note that we are not able to forward anything larger than a regular card-size envelope.

There are several reasons for a child to leave the sponsorship programme.  Many families migrate in search of employment; the child's family may no longer require assistance or the child has completed his/her education and has entered the workforce.  When the child ceases to belong to the sponsorship programme, they are no longer able to receive the benefits sponsorship provides.
Chalice neither recommends or facilitates children visiting their sponsors in Canada, as children may experience a culture shock when exposed to the Canadian environment.
Each child has only one sponsor.  However, this sponsor may be a single individual or may be a group of individuals such as a choir, church, youth or prayer group.

There are many laws in our country and that of your sponsored child that govern all international procedures.  Many agencies are involved that have their own guidelines.  Finally, the child's legal guardians must be considered.

For these reasons, Chalice does not encourage sponsors to attempt to formally adopt their sponsored child.  It is our desire that the children we help become happy, productive citizens of their own country.  Our goal is that the children use their talents and training to help themselves, their families and their communities.

In some cases, the sponsorship of a sibling is not permitted under site policies.  To ascertain the policy at your sponsored child's site, please contact your Sponsor Representative.
If you become aware of any special needs for your child, aged or their family, please contact your Sponsor Representative who will contact the site on your behalf.

Each year you will receive a letter from your child, a status report and updated photo, a Christmas card and a sponsor site update.  If your sponsored friend is unable to write, a relative or field worker may write your letter.

You may send a monetary gift to your sponsored friend for special occasions.  To avoid jealousy we recommend a maximum amount of $25 Cdn., which will be used specifically for the child or aged.

Due to the fact that all Christmas contributions are pooled and distributed equally to all sponsored friends in all sites, there is no limit on Christmas donations.  Please do not send your contributions in foreign currency.

You are welcome to visit your child.  Please contact your Sponsor Representative to make the arrangements.  Together with the sponsor site, they will provide you with any information you need for a very rewarding experience.  Please remember that your child may live in conditions that you may find difficult.  Some useful information concerning what to wear, eat, drink, etc., is very helpful before visiting.

Jessore

Stories from Bangladesh

Distribution of Blankets During Cold Weather in Bangladesh

The country of Bangladesh is situated in southeast...

A Child's Story: Kulsum Gazi & Her Family

Kulsum Gazi is 8 years old and lives with her parents...

module by Inspiration
Jessore

Caring for our World.
Sharing with our Children.

Our Jessore Sponsor Site:

Administrator: Mr. Philip Biswas

Work Focus: Education and food for children and elderly.

Our sponsor sites are independently administered by Religious Orders, Parishes, or Lay Organizations working to respond to local needs. We especially focus on educational, nutritional, medical and health needs.

Our site in Jessore is administrated by Mr. Philip Biswas, a lay worker who studied at Coady Institute in Antigonish, NS. Philip is the Director of the Rural Reconstruction Centre, a non-government voluntary development organization for the underprivileged

This sponsor site is comprised of three schools, serving over 5000 children from preschool to grade ten. The three schools are run by the Catholic Church, open to all in need. This region of Jessore has endured severe flooding in recent years, adding to the suffering of an already impoverished people. This project is centered in Shimula Village in the Jessore district, which is in the southwestern area of Bangladesh. The sponsor site helps provide nourishment and education to the poor families in their district who are mostly agricultural labourers living hand to mouth.

The goal of the Rural Reconstruction Centre is to create opportunities for the children of families living in extremely impoverished conditions. Through sponsorship, children are able to access quality education, which will lead them to dignified lives as children of the living God. Moreover, the sponsored children and the aged from the underprivileged families will be provided with the necessary support services for health care and a better quality of life.

Long-term Benefits to the Community

• Seeing children going to school wearing a school uniform, shoes and socks and carrying a school bag gives the community people a great satisfaction and hope for a well educated and productive future generation.

• The letters from sponsors give the staff ample valuable knowledge about the sponsor’s families, their mentality, generosity, good intentions, country, culture, etc. These things will help the staff and the children to create a new mentality about the world and its people.

• The expansion of quality education will build up good and responsible citizens of the country who will help other people in the community who are needy.

A Child's Story: Kulsum Gazi & Her Family

Kulsum Gazi lives with her parents and two younger sisters in Jessore. Four and a half years ago, Kulsum’s father, Latif, was a day labourer who found it very difficult to provide the necessities for his family. Having no property of their own, they were living in a hut with poor sanitary facilities. However, with Kulsum’s sponsorship, the family’s standard of living began to change. Kulsum’s sisters, Sharmina and Meem, were sponsored by the sponsor’s sister and the sponsor respectively.

From this unexpected support, Latif could see rays of hope. He started to save money from his small income and bought a rickshaw-van, which he pulled to make some extra money. When Kulsum’s sponsor heard of their living situation, she sent money to buy a piece of land and now the family has a permanent residence. Kulsum and Sharmina attend school regularly. Their educational expenses are paid and they are provided with educational materials, clothes and nutritious food.

Giving Hope to Children