FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS FORDT UK?
FORDTUK is a UK based charity working hand in hand with a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) in India. Rural Development Trust (RDT) works with underprivileged and marginalized societies to improve quality of life. These societies comprise of dalits, tribals and social outcasts. RDT provides specialized training programs and activities to not only support those in abject poverty but also those suffering from ill health. RDT offers training in basic health, education and shelter alongside guidance on sustainable agricultural and animal husbandry. Furthermore, RDT provides financial and technical advice to support those in need.
WHAT IS THE CHILD SPONSORSHIP SCHEME?
Our Child sponsorship scheme aims to support children, from the target community with the hope that they grow into responsible adults in the society, capable of gaining employment.
HOW CAN I SPONSOR A CHILD?
You can Sponsor a child by filling in the online form on our website. We will then select a child awaiting to be sponsored and send you a welcome pack.
WHO WILL MY SPONSORED CHILD BE?
The sponsored child generally aged between 6-9 years of age, live within the RDT project area. This is located in the district of Anantapuramu in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. These children are born to families in marginalized societies and may be physically challenged. Due to factors such as poverty, ignorance and irrational social and religious taboos, these children rarely have access to education and therefore fail to gain employment in rewarding jobs. This lack of secure employment is seen to have not only a financial impact, it also poses significant risk to a number of mental health issues such as a depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. RDT provides training facilities equivalent to mainstream school standards, ensuring underprivileged children can grow into self-supporting citizens, capable of contributing to their families and the societies in which they live. Since the scheme was founded some three decades ago, scores of children have benefited from significantly improved prospects in the workforce and some going on to study at university level. Furthermore, others have returned to RDT to pass on their knowledge and expertise to others in our welfare schemes.
HOW ARE CHILDREN SELECTED TO BE PART OF THE SPONSORSHIP SCHEME?
All families are thoroughly vetted by RDT staff before children are enrolled onto the scheme. The children are picked from the master register maintained at RDT Anantapur in the order they are registered. Sponsors in the United Kingdom are asked to contribute £15 per month, by standing order into a UK bank. FORDTUK has established the banking channels to transfer the money to RDT. This process is explained to the sponsor before documents are signed. With this financial help RDT will ensure the overall development of the child, essentially securing the child’s education, health, food, clothing and shelter. Where a child has specific sensory and or physical needs, the appropriate level of provision is offered through education in specialist schools.
DO I HAVE TO SPONSOR AS AN INDIVIDUAL OR CAN A COLLECTIVE OR FAMILY GROUP SIGN UP?
The sponsorship can be provided by an individual, couple, family, group or even an institution. However, there should be one designated person for each case of sponsorship who oversees and signs the documents (as shown). They will undertake responsibility for the period of the scheme and thus serve as the designated point of contact.
CAN THE CHILD I AM SPONSORING BE SPONSORED BY OTHERS?
Due to the many children that are on the waiting list to be sponsored, only one sponsorship can be assigned to each individual child.
CAN I CHOOSE WHETHER MY SPONSORED CHILD IS A BOY OR GIRL?
No, as a general rule, FORDT UK do not allow a sponsor to choose the gender of your sponsored child. If you do have a strong preference, then please contact us at lovetohelp@fordt.uk.net prior to filling out the form.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO SPONSOR THE CHILD FOR?
Ideally we would like the sponsor to honor the undertaking until the child reaches eighteen however this is not a contract and the sponsor can terminate the standing order at any time.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DECIDE TO TERMINATE MY SPONSORSHIP?
In the event of an unforeseen situation, meaning the sponsor is unable to continue with the contributions, the matter can be discussed with FORDT in order to rearrange the support by one of the following methods:
By transferring the responsibility to any other responsible member of the family
who is interested in supporting the scheme. The designated sponsor will have
to redo the registration form in order to maintain the continuity of the scheme, for the child concerned.By handing over the scheme to an interested friend
If an alternative sponsor cannot be found within a reasonable time, the responsibility will be transferred back FORDT/RDT who would, in turn find a new sponsor for the child.
CAN I CONTINUE TO SUPPORT MY CHILD ONCE THEY TURN 18?
The present sponsorship scheme itself will end when the child reaches 18yrs of age. However, if interested, the sponsor can enquire with FORDT/RDT on the future course of the child’s life, and may decide on contributing further.
Having completed the scheme for one child, the sponsor has the choice of continuing to opt into the scheme by sponsoring another child. Each sponsor can support more than one child at any one time or add children to the scheme during his/her association with the NGO.
CAN I CONTACT MY SPONSORED CHILD?
Yes! The child can be contacted through the RDT office. Each sponsored child will be given a unique reference number so please quote this when sending letters or gifts.
CAN I CONTACT MY SPONSORED CHILD
The sponsor (or a designated representative) can arrange to meet up with the child during the sponsorship period through the sponsorship office at RDT. If a British sponsor intends to visit it would be advisable to fly into Bengaluru international airport, located 175km from Ananthapuramu. The sponsorship office at RDT will be happy to arrange transport and provide modest, comfortable accommodation and canteen facilities within the campus (which is advisable). English speaking staff will accompany the sponsor/visiting party to the village to meet the child and its family members and also act as translators if needed. It is preferable that the child or the family is always contacted through RDT offices.
WHAT INFORMATION WILL I RECEIVE ABOUT MY SPONSORED CHILD?
During the period of sponsorship, the sponsor will receive two letters a year from RDT on the welfare and progress of the child. A channel of communication can be established, if desired, between the sponsor and the child through the sponsorship office at RDT, with appropriate translations of the letters as required.
CAN I BUY SPONSORSHIP AS A GIFT?
Yes, you can buy a sponsorship as a gift. This can be done as a one-off payment or set up as a standing order. You may also be interested in looking at our Charity gift scheme which can be purchased on our website.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPONSOR MY CHILD?
It costs £15 per month.
HOW DO I PAY FOR MY SPONSORSHIP?
You will receive a standing order form in your welcome pack. Please fill this in and set up the standing order via your bank.
CAN GIFT AID BE CONTACTED ON MY SPONSORSHIP?
If the sponsor happens to be a UK tax-payer, FORDT will ask them to sign a gift-aid form which enables the charity to apply for a tax refund from HMRC.