Throughout the world’s poorest countries, charities for children are bringing health and hope to millions. In our modern Western society, it can be hard to believe the scale of poverty suffered by those living in some developing countries. But the fact is millions of children die each year of starvation or preventable diseases. According to UNICEF, more than 600 million children lack adequate shelter. More than 400 million children have no access to clean, safe drinking water. At least 270 million children have no health care.

However, charities for children are bringing real hope to these poverty-stricken regions and improving lives. These charities for children are working not only to provide food, water and medicines, but also to help eradicate poverty in the long term. This is being done through projects that don’t just offer "quick fix" aid relief, but plan for the future, too.

A good example of this type of long-term help is child sponsorship. Through a donation of just a few dollars a month, a sponsor working through a respected charity ensures that a chosen child receives educational opportunities, food assistance, clean water, proper shelter and regular health care. The child also has opportunities to learn job skills.

Through education, a child born into poverty can break out of the cycle of ignorance, misery and helplessness. Children can learn skills that ensure they can support their own children and improve their communities. Many sponsored children even go on to become teachers, doctors and other valuable members of their society. A once-broken community grows and thrives, and eventually an entire region may benefit.

Christian charities for children also ensure that their work is based on love and faith. They know poverty is not only physical but spiritual, too. When a child learns about God’s love, that child learns about hope for the future. Instead of feeling worthless, the child thrives in God’s care.

The very fact that someone far away is sponsoring him or her gives the child a sense of being treasured. Through letters, photographs and progress reports a loving relationship develops between sponsor and child. There are Christian sponsorship programs in many African and Asian countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, India and Bangladesh. South and Central American countries with programs include Bolivia, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

As well as sponsorship, charities for children also run construction and social projects designed to provide long-term benefits. Churches, clinics and schools are being built in the world’s most impoverished countries, as well as clean water facilities. Social projects include teaching mothers vital aspects of child health care, such as the importance of immunization and hygiene.

Slowly but surely, the work of charities for children is paying dividends. Children who were sponsored 10 or 20 years ago have now grown up. Most are using the skills they have learned for the good of their communities. They are grateful to have been sponsored and are glad to have the chance to give back something in return. In this way, charities for children improve the lives of millions, step by careful step.