Sometimes the sheer scale of poverty in the lives of children can seem overwhelming. It’s a fact that every four seconds a child in need dies somewhere in the world because of poverty-related causes. Even those children who survive often do so against the odds. Hundreds of millions lack adequate shelter, clean drinking water, or the most basic health care. No wonder disease and death stalk the most vulnerable inhabitants of our earth — the children in need.

But it helps no one to say, despairingly, "The problems are too big in the lives of children in need. Ordinary people can’t change them."

In fact "ordinary people" can make a world of difference in the lives of children in need. Through their generous actions they can bring change, health and hope to whole communities thousands of miles away. Through their kindness children in need can be freed forever from a cruel spiral of poverty so that they in turn can free future generations.

It sounds like an impossible dream. It’s not. The world’s most effective children’s charities have a tried-and-tested method to truly change and transform the lives of children in need. It’s simple and ingenious, and it is called child sponsorship.

Sponsorship programs through children’s charities involve one individual helping another less-privileged individual. It is a very personal way of giving to change the lives of children. The sponsor is linked to one particular child living in a poor country, such as Ghana, India, Peru or Colombia. Through a donation of less than $40 a month to the children’s charities the sponsor ensures that the child receives nourishing food, proper shelter, and health care and has access to clean, safe water.

Through sponsorship programs children’s charities will also provide the opportunity for education and training. The child is given real hope for a better future. He or she may even experience far-reaching change and go on to become a doctor or teacher, bringing change and benefit back to an entire community.

Christian children’s charities offer children in need the chance to learn about God and how important they are to Him. They are able to hear the gospel and understand that the charity’s work is made possible through love, faith and kind hearts. And although the sponsor and the child begin as strangers from very different cultures, that soon changes as the bond grows stronger and the child realizes that we are all God’s children, regardless of where we live.

Children’s charities involved in sponsorship programs for children in need encourage the exchange of letters and photographs, and there are regular progress reports. Some sponsors like to send small gifts, and there is sometimes the opportunity to visit the sponsored child too. Over the months and years a genuine loving relationship develops between the child and the sponsor, which often involves the child’s family and community. This is very rewarding, as both sides give and receive love and respect.

There are so many children in need in the world. It is not possible for an "ordinary person" to help them all. But thanks to sponsorship programs, it is possible to make a life-changing difference to an individual child in need. As one of the best-known children’s charity states: "We provide an opportunity for Christians all over the world to make a difference to children’s lives that lasts." Working with a children’s charity is also an opportunity for Christians to make a lasting difference to their own lives.