Financially support my godchild $70/month [$840/year]

• Child sponsorship funds are used to provide a Christian, English-speaking education to residential students.

• Funds provide housing, food, basic medical needs, books, supplies, uniforms, and a sports facility.

• 87% of your money goes directly to your child’s education and well-being. The remaining 13% is used for supporting program activities.

Give for the duration of my child’s education

• VMSS houses students in grades 1st – 10th.

• We want to establish a strong godparent/godchild relationship and feel this is best accomplished by a commitment for the entirety of the child’s schooling.

Give in a timely manner

• VMSS runs on a very tight budget. Therefore, gaps in giving have a significant impact and ripple effect that cannot be endured.

• Based on budgetary requirements, please choose one of the following frequency options:

  • Monthly

  • Annually (total amount given before August 31)

  • Semi-annually (50% given before August 31 and 50% given before December 31)

• Monthly online giving can be done through a personal bank account or the BTI database.

• Lapses in consistent giving may result in your godchild receiving a new sponsor.

Write to my godchild [June, October, March]

• The relationship between godparents and godchildren is the heartbeat of the ministry. BTI uses letter writing as the primary avenue in developing this relationship.

• Letters are sent and received three times per year: the start of school, Christmas, and Easter.

• You will receive several notifications when letters are due.

• Letters are submitted electronically via a link that will be given to you.

• Letters should always include 8 pictures, which the children love and cherish.

Give a one month written cancellation notice

• Circumstances may prevent you from continuing to be a part of BTI. We simply ask for a one-month written cancellation email so we have time to re-sponsor your godchild.

• Once your written notice has been submitted, you will receive confirmation of receipt within five business days.

Communicate to and receive communication from BTI

• Please communicate new contact information in a timely manner.

• Email and the private BTI Facebook group are the primary means of communication from Bridge to India.

• A child's circumstances may change. There are times when children do not return to VMSS for various reasons. You will be informed quickly if your child is not returning and you will be given the opportunity to sponsor another child.

Honor the Privacy Policy

• Bridge to India (BTI) recognizes that access to the internet and social media is rapidly advancing on a global scale. Unfortunately, the introduction of worldwide communication also brings new risks to the safety and privacy of our children at VMSS.

• Our deepest desire is to promote healthy, God-honoring relationships between children and sponsors while also ensuring the children, their families, and sponsors are protected from any unsafe or inappropriate internet and social media use.

• Video chat sessions facilitated by the BTI Director are available annually (July) via sign ups.

• Direct, unmonitored communication with sponsored children or their families is prohibited. This includes contact through the internet, online, and all social media outlets.

• Your personal contact information cannot be shared with your child.

• Keeping the privacy and security of our children is of utmost importance. To ensure this, do not post detailed information about your child on the internet or any social media outlets including last name, family members’ names, and/or home village.

• Teams visiting the school may post pictures of their trip on social media outlets as long as no detailed personal information is included with the photos. Posting first names is permitted.

• Visits to the school or to the child’s community/village are not allowed under any circumstances without BTI’s consent.

• Because your privacy and security are equally important to us, sponsored children and their families are prohibited from contacting you without BTI’s consent. This is to protect both parties. Any direct contact outside of this program must be reported to the BTI Director immediately.