Antares Child Sponsorship Program FAQ's
What Is Child Sponsorship and how much does it cost?
Child Sponsorship is individual child sponsorship for orphans (age 3+). Antares does ask for at least $15.00 per month sponsorship fee to help with expenses to keep the child sponsorship program running. Other than the sponsorship fee the cost depends on what you want to do for your child. We encourage sponsors to send letters (with photos) at least once a month.
What information will I receive about my sponsored child?
Is my sponsored child available for adoption?
Unfortunately, we do not have access to this information. The Antares Foundation is not an adoption agency nor are we affiliated with any adoptions agencies.
Will I get updates or more photos?
When your package is delivered or your child has gone on an outing, we will email you photos of the child with your package. You may occasionally receive additional photos or letters (translated) from your older sponsored child or drawings from the younger children. Sometimes your child may be seen on our website through various stories. You can also find pictures on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AntaresOrphans.org) and in our private Facebook groups for sponsors.
What types of Outings/Activities are available and what are the costs?
Outings will vary in cost depending on the activity and are available if their location allows it. This will be announced with the each outing opportunity. Some examples are: park outings, shopping outings, bookstore outings, birthday parties, and more. A Birthday party will include cake and juice along with fruits and sweets. The cost is $50.00.
What other ways can I help my sponsored child?
Sometimes dental work is needed or your child may need glasses. This is quite affordable in Kazakhstan so you may want some of your donation to cover these types needs. Warm winter coats and boots are better bought in Kazakhstan on a shopping outing or by sending money for our coordinator to purchase these items. Please contact us with any questions about other ways of helping your sponsored child.
Who are the Antares Coordinators in Kazakhstan and what do they do?
An Antares Coordinator is someone who visits the Orphanages to deliver packages, conducts outings and birthday parties, translate letters, takes pictures and reports back to the Antares US Team. We have several coordinators we work with on a regular basis.
What about the children who do not have sponsors?
The children who do not have sponsors often feel left out. If you are able when sending a package please try to include a small item marked for an unsponsored child. You can also pay for an outing for an unsponsored child when you are planning one for your child. You Sponsorship not only impacts your sponsored child, but also many others. The children are very good about sharing within their families so all children benefit when a child in their group receives a package. Our goal for this program is for every orphan to have a sponsor.
When does sponsorship end and what happens to my sponsored child?
Sponsorship ends when you decide, or if the child is adopted or when they “age out” of the orphanage into a remote area. If you decide to withdraw your sponsorship we ask that you inform us so we can try to find the child another sponsor as quickly as possible. Children leave the orphanage either after 9th Grade (usually 16 years old since they don’t start school until they are 7 years old) or if they are lucky they get to stay until 11th Grade which is the Senior Class. Sponsorship with your child is possible unless the child is sent to a very remote area.
Child Sponsorship is individual child sponsorship for orphans (age 3+). Antares does ask for at least $15.00 per month sponsorship fee to help with expenses to keep the child sponsorship program running. Other than the sponsorship fee the cost depends on what you want to do for your child. We encourage sponsors to send letters (with photos) at least once a month.
What information will I receive about my sponsored child?
- Child's Name and Birth-date
- Photos
- Measurements (Clothes and Shoe Sizes)
- Info about Child - grade, interests, needs, etc *(as known)
Is my sponsored child available for adoption?
Unfortunately, we do not have access to this information. The Antares Foundation is not an adoption agency nor are we affiliated with any adoptions agencies.
Will I get updates or more photos?
When your package is delivered or your child has gone on an outing, we will email you photos of the child with your package. You may occasionally receive additional photos or letters (translated) from your older sponsored child or drawings from the younger children. Sometimes your child may be seen on our website through various stories. You can also find pictures on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AntaresOrphans.org) and in our private Facebook groups for sponsors.
What types of Outings/Activities are available and what are the costs?
Outings will vary in cost depending on the activity and are available if their location allows it. This will be announced with the each outing opportunity. Some examples are: park outings, shopping outings, bookstore outings, birthday parties, and more. A Birthday party will include cake and juice along with fruits and sweets. The cost is $50.00.
What other ways can I help my sponsored child?
Sometimes dental work is needed or your child may need glasses. This is quite affordable in Kazakhstan so you may want some of your donation to cover these types needs. Warm winter coats and boots are better bought in Kazakhstan on a shopping outing or by sending money for our coordinator to purchase these items. Please contact us with any questions about other ways of helping your sponsored child.
Who are the Antares Coordinators in Kazakhstan and what do they do?
An Antares Coordinator is someone who visits the Orphanages to deliver packages, conducts outings and birthday parties, translate letters, takes pictures and reports back to the Antares US Team. We have several coordinators we work with on a regular basis.
What about the children who do not have sponsors?
The children who do not have sponsors often feel left out. If you are able when sending a package please try to include a small item marked for an unsponsored child. You can also pay for an outing for an unsponsored child when you are planning one for your child. You Sponsorship not only impacts your sponsored child, but also many others. The children are very good about sharing within their families so all children benefit when a child in their group receives a package. Our goal for this program is for every orphan to have a sponsor.
When does sponsorship end and what happens to my sponsored child?
Sponsorship ends when you decide, or if the child is adopted or when they “age out” of the orphanage into a remote area. If you decide to withdraw your sponsorship we ask that you inform us so we can try to find the child another sponsor as quickly as possible. Children leave the orphanage either after 9th Grade (usually 16 years old since they don’t start school until they are 7 years old) or if they are lucky they get to stay until 11th Grade which is the Senior Class. Sponsorship with your child is possible unless the child is sent to a very remote area.