the green gecko project - sponsorship
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:: COUNT ME IN!
child sponsorship information
:: WHAT DOES A GECKO CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROVIDE FOR THE CHILDREN?
For $1 a day, a Gecko sponsorship helps to provide Green Gecko kids with a rounded education, wholistic care and the opportunity to realise their dreams… as well as a childhood. Your commitment enables us to deliver long-term projects that will see each child through these formative, vulnerable years and prepare them for adulthood as valuable members of their community. Sponsorship directly funds our programmes for health care, nutrition, vocational training, arts, recreation, meeting the costs of attending Khmer schools, and family support.
:: WHAT DOES A GECKO CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROVIDE FOR THE SPONSOR?
As a Gecko Child Sponsor, you will receive an introduction to, and profile of, the specific child who will become 'your' sponsored Gecko. Every six months, we will keep you updated with individual news about your child, his/her pursuits, triumphs and tribulations. You will thus be able to attach a name and face to one of many of Cambodia's precious children who struggle in desperate poverty until people like you take action to give them hope. You will also receive a subscription to the Green Gecko Newsletter which comes out every few months, filling you in on what has been happening to all your child's friends at the centre. All correspondence from us will be in electronic format (via email); not only does cut down on administrative, postage and stationary costs, it's environmentally friendlier.
:: COSTS
A Gecko Sponsorship costs $1 a day, paid in one lump sum of $365 for one year.
:: HAPPY GECKO SPONSOR
"I have been coming to Cambodia since 2005 and each time I have visited Green Gecko. It has been an inspiration to watch it and the children grow. In the beginning, the children were unwashed, gaunt, wary and aimless, with no realistic access to education or care. Today it is the complete opposite - they have transformed into healthy, polite, bright and confident students! I sponsor two Geckos, and knowing my yearly contribution goes directly to making this transformation possible for all the Geckos is a deeply rewarding experience. Tania and Rem's amazing dedication and competence in creating a rounded educational environment at Green Gecko is really working. I highly recommend becoming a sponsor!". Lee Gilmore UK
Can we choose our own child off the website?
We welcome you to advise us of your preference, as in girl or boy and a rough age range, but Green Gecko does not encourage the selection of children based on their appearance. To be fair to all the children, we prefer to choose a Gecko child for you to ensure that all our Geckos are given the same opportunities.
How is the money spent?
The sponsorship money you send is added to that of other people who also sponsor Geckos. Your collective funds allow us to provide necessities such as education, food, shelter, clothing and medical care for the Geckos. In addition, your funds indirectly help to strengthen the further community with our family support and micro business programs.
Can we correspond with our child?
At this stage, there is no facility for direct correspondence mainly due to lack of human and technical resources, we hope this will change in the future and we will let you know when it does.
Will you give us another child once this one has left gecko/grown too old?
In the slim chance your gecko child leaves us before their time is up, we will let you know and the decision will be totally yours. There is no age cut off point, we have promised the children we will support them until there education is complete and they are standing on their own two feet.
Can we have a photo of our child?
Yes, you will receive an email with your child's profile and a separate photo file attached for you to print yourselves for you to frame or magnet on the fridge.
How do I know my donations are going where you say they are going?
GGP follows very strict accounting procedures. Our financial records are fully accountable and transparent to the public. At GGP only Khmer salaries are paid, all westerners are on a volunteer or sponsorship basis.
Does all money go into a common pool to assist all the kids or just our child?
All sponsorship money goes into a common pool to help us ensure that ALL children at Green Gecko receive equal treatment and access to programs, whether they have a sponsor or not. The exception to this is when a sponsor pays specifically for external English education; the money then goes directly to the institution.
Am I the only sponsor for my Gecko child?
The cost of caring for a child with all that they need is of course more than $1 a day, even in Cambodia. As such each Gecko child will require more than one sponsor to support completely.
Can we meet our Gecko child?
YES, you can meet your child. However it is our policy that ALL children at Green Gecko receive equal treatment and feel equally valued, whether they have a sponsor or not. For this reason, we ask that all sponsors remain anonymous to the children. You are welcome to visit the centre and interact with your child in a group environment, it is important to the self esteem of all the children that a particular child is not singled out with special attention. All visits must be arranged in advance with management.
Can I give gifts to my Gecko child?
We understand your wish to send special gifts to your Gecko sponsor child however; we it is a practice that we strongly discourage. Communal gifts they can share are always preferred, a book of stickers, a ball, skipping ropes. The children are aware that resources come from sponsors, donors and volunteers, and they welcome all visitors with great respect and appreciation. However, one of our strongest goals is to change the lifelong perception of our former street kids that their survival is dependent on begging or soliciting from foreigners. They need to believe in their own ability to help themselves through education, with dignity, and with the support and encouragement of Green Gecko and each other.
When will my Gecko no longer need assistance?
We hope that you will want to be apart of Green Gecko's work for a long time. It is our promise to each Green Gecko Child that we will support them through their education - whether it is high school, vocational training or university - until they are supporting themselves. You are welcome to follow them through on this journey or to whatever level you can afford. We do not cut any child off at a special predetermined age.
How do I cancel my sponsorship?
We are extremely appreciative of whatever support you provide, if for whatever reason your circumstances change and you wish to cancel your sponsorship we will honour your decision, no questions asked.
When will I receive a renewal reminder?
By the time 12 months comes around, we hope we will have the facility to accept your sponsorship with automatic monthly payment. Fingers crossed.
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