What Children Have Taught Me About Sponsorship
By: Samuel J. Donkor
All Nations International Development Agency
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Through my visits to the communities where ANIDA works, I have come to appreciate that children are often much better at being present than we are. Everything is new to them. Everything is worth noticing. Even small moments can be exciting.
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When I return to visit a partner school, it is always encouraging to see that the children remember me. Many of them are eager to share how they are doing in class or to invite me to join in their games during recess. On one visit in the Philippines, I was invited to play Tumbang Preso with a group of students. It is a simple game where children take turns throwing a slipper at an empty can placed on the ground, then run to retrieve it before another player can set the can upright again. I could barely throw accurately and skipped most of the running, but the children were generous enough to let me play along.
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Over time, I have come to understand that the excitement children show during these visits is not really about seeing a familiar face. It reflects something deeper. It is a reminder that someone, somewhere, is invested in their growth and wellbeing.
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Children in the program are often more confident in their interactions with us and with their teachers. They ask thoughtful questions, take pride in their academic progress, and are eager to share what they are learning. We frequently hear from guidance counsellors and teachers that students in the program demonstrate improved attendance and greater engagement in school. Parents have also noted that their children are more motivated to participate consistently in their studies.
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These observations have helped reinforce an important reality. While access to education is essential, a child’s ability to succeed in school is influenced by many factors beyond the classroom. Consistent attendance, supportive home environments, and overall wellbeing all play a role in how children develop over time.
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In many of the communities we serve, children may face pressure to take on responsibilities at a young age. This can include contributing to family income or, in some cases, entering into early marriage as a way of responding to financial hardship. As an organization, part of our responsibility is to help create conditions that allow children the time and space to grow, learn, and simply be children during these formative years.
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Through our partnerships with local schools, we continue to monitor indicators such as attendance and participation as part of understanding how children are progressing. Students who attend regularly often demonstrate increased confidence and are supported by families who are actively engaged in their development. These factors are important not only for individual growth, but also for the long term wellbeing of their communities.
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Your sponsorship helps create an environment where children are able to focus on learning rather than responding to immediate economic pressures. Over time, this support allows them to build confidence and develop the foundations they will need to contribute meaningfully within their homes, schools, and communities as they grow.
About the Author:
Samuel J. Donkor is the President and Executive Director of All Nations International Development Agency (ANIDA). He brings a cross-cultural lens to global development, informed by his experience as a first-generation Canadian with Ghanaian roots, and holds a Master of Arts in Leadership (Business stream). He is currently pursuing a PhD in Global Leadership and Change at Pepperdine University.
With a background in business leadership and systems thinking, Samuel has led ANIDA’s growth from education-based programs to holistic poverty alleviation—advancing access to healthcare, clean water, sustainable income, and community-led leadership. His work centers on building scalable, locally driven solutions that foster long-term transformation.
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