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All children deserve the best start in life: nurturing homes and safe places to play and learn, nutritional food, and quality medical and emotional care.
However, many of these rights are out of reach for the 1 in 5 children who live in poverty worldwide. For these precious children, life is incredibly challenging as they contend with the threats of illiteracy, disease, child labour, lifelong poverty and even death.
The loss of one or both parents can be a traumatic experience for any child, regardless of the circumstances. However, in countries where war, famine, or poverty is an everyday occurrence, millions of children are left orphaned and struggle to survive.
50% of all people living in extreme poverty are children (UNICEF). Deprived of much-needed educational support, health care and critical age-appropriate safe places to play and grow, these children are incredibly vulnerable and face a bleak future.
Since 1986, supporting orphans and children has played an integral part in Islamic Relief’s mission to alleviate poverty around the world. We believe that every child deserves a positive start in life and the hope for a bright future.
Sponsor an orphan today and help transform the lives of children around the world.
First launched in 1986, as part of the Muslim Yateem and Widows Fund, what is now the Orphan Sponsorship Programme began by supporting children in Afghanistan. Over the years, the programme has grown and expanded to 93,200 orphans across 27 countries, including Gaza, Sudan, Albania, Kenya and Pakistan.
In October 1997, the programme moved closer to what it is today. Under the title, Orphan Welfare Programme, it helped provide support for children’s basic needs such as food, clothing, as well as long-term support in education, healthcare, and income generation for their guardians.
In 1999, one-to-one sponsorship began in the West Bank and Gaza, where we provided orphaned children and their families with food, housing, clothes, health and education, while sponsored children also received educational support.
In 2003, Islamic Relief was one of the few international aid agencies to deliver aid during the war in Iraq.
Our programme is well-established, and we have a wealth of knowledge and experience around supporting orphans and their families in the best way possible.
We ensure the following in our Orphan Sponsorship Programme, to maintain transparency, fairness and high-standards, so that orphans and their families are provided with the highest level of care.
To our knowledge, Islamic Relief is perhaps one of the only charities to offer a true one-to-one orphan sponsorship programme, where the donation continuously goes to the same orphan. This allows for the life of the same orphan to be continuously transformed long term, which means that the change isn’t short term but they are able to truly rise above their circumstances, gain the opportunities they deserve, and build a better life for themselves and their families.
It is a common practice of some charities to direct orphan sponsorship funds to support groups of orphans as a whole through communal programming, rather than an actual one-to-one programme. This allows for lower prices that overall can help supplement the needs of orphans and provide uplifting programming, but do not offer the opportunity for transformative change for individuals.
Helping to care for orphans and vulnerable children is a duty for Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasised the status of orphans, and the importance of fulfilling their needs.
We are inspired by the status Islam place on vulnerable orphans, it stands as the perfect means for carrying out the Prophetic guidance.
They ask you as to what they should spend. Say: “Whatever good you spend should be for parents, kinsmen, orphans, the needy and the wayfarer; and whatever good you do, Allah is all-aware of it.”
Everything you need to know about sponsoring an orphan with Islamic Relief South Africa. Click any question below to read the full answer.
About the Orphan Sponsorship Programme
Understanding how the programme works and the difference it makes
According to Islamic tradition, an orphan is a child who has no father. The child will remain an orphan until the age of maturity and understanding.
Due to Islamic Relief's humanitarian mandate and based on extensive experience with the communities it serves, the definition also includes children who have a father whose whereabouts has been unknown for two years or more, or one year for refugees and internally displaced people.
In line with the UN Convention for the Rights of the Child (CRC), Islamic Relief has extended this classification to define a child as any human being under the age of 18. It is still possible to continue to sponsor a child beyond the age of 18 in order to support the education of an existing orphan.
Islamic Relief's Orphan Sponsorship Programme was first launched in 1986 as part of the Muslim Yateem and Widows Fund, initially supporting children in Afghanistan. The programme has since been a beacon of hope for tens of thousands of children, having supported 93,200 orphans across 27 countries across the globe, including Gaza, Sudan, Albania, Kenya, and Pakistan.
In October 1997, the programme expanded under the title Orphan Welfare Programme, helping to provide support for children's basic needs including food, clothing, education, healthcare, and income generation for their guardians. One-to-one sponsorship began in 1999 in the West Bank and Gaza, providing orphaned children and their families with comprehensive support.
Islamic Relief South Africa has been supporting orphaned children locally since its establishment in 2004, and in our most recent reporting period supported 1,191 orphaned children in South Africa with food aid, healthcare, and educational support.
To our knowledge, Islamic Relief is perhaps one of the only charities to offer a true one-to-one orphan sponsorship programme, where the donation continuously goes to the same orphan. This allows for the life of the same child to be transformed over the long term, meaning the change is not short-lived but enables the child to genuinely rise above their circumstances, gain the opportunities they deserve, and build a better life for themselves and their families.
Many charities direct orphan sponsorship funds to support groups of orphans through communal programming rather than an actual one-to-one programme. While this can supplement the needs of orphans at a lower cost, it does not offer the same opportunity for transformative, individual change.
The amount directly received by the orphan is typically 86%, though this can be impacted by fluctuating exchange rates. The remaining amount covers the extensive field office work Islamic Relief conducts to ensure best practices are in place for your sponsored orphan, including regular home visits by social workers, group gatherings, and monitoring to ensure orphans receive the full benefits of sponsorship.
Islamic Relief prides itself on transparency and ensures that your money goes towards the project you intended. We are accountable to our donors, our beneficiaries, and ultimately to Allah (SWT). Every year, Islamic Relief prepares financial accounts which are audited by independent accountants. Annual reports are available at islamic-relief.org.za/about-us/annual-reports/, and a paper copy can be sent via post upon request.
The programme aims to meet the holistic needs of each orphan. Sponsorship funds are used to provide:
The programme also monitors the wider family environment, ensuring that caregivers have access to resources that help them provide a stable and nurturing home for the child.
Islamic Relief encourages a minimum sponsorship period of one year. However, you can sponsor a child for as long as you wish, up to the age of 18. In some cases, sponsorship continues beyond the age of 18, for example for medical or educational reasons. If there is a need for the sponsorship to continue past this age, Islamic Relief will notify you directly.
Continuity of support is central to the programme's success. Long-term sponsorship allows the child to build a stable foundation and pursue education and opportunities without disruption.
Orphans are selected through a rigorous means-testing process. Each country office uses a scoring system that assesses the family's situation based on the following criteria:
In each family, one child in every two can be sponsored, providing sponsors can be found. This can be modified by the field office upon approval of the Child Welfare Department if there is a particular need for more children within a family to be supported.
No. Islamic Relief works with a wide range of beneficiaries of all faith and ethnic backgrounds. As signatories to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Code of Conduct, Islamic Relief is bound not to discriminate on the basis of religion, gender, race, or ethnicity. Support is directed to those who are most in need, regardless of their background.
This commitment to serving all people in need reflects the Islamic principle of universal compassion and the organisation's mission to serve humanity.
Your Sponsorship
What to expect when you sponsor an orphan with Islamic Relief South Africa
When you begin your sponsorship, Islamic Relief will send you a photograph of your child along with a range of basic biographical information. If you are paying by debit order, this is usually sent within four to six weeks of the debit order being processed. If you have made payment for the full year, you should receive this within two to three weeks.
Islamic Relief aims to send you an annual report on your sponsored orphan, providing specific details on how the child is progressing in their education as well as an update on their general welfare and wellbeing. This annual progress report is written by the field officers who are responsible for visiting the orphans.
Yes. You can send letters and photographs to your orphan by emailing them to the Islamic Relief South Africa Donor Care team at Donor.Care@islamic-relief.org.za. The team will review the content to ensure it is appropriate, remove any personal contact details, and forward the correspondence to the relevant field office.
Responses depend on the individual child and their circumstances. In some cases, the child or their guardian may respond promptly. Others may take several months to respond, or may choose not to respond at all. Islamic Relief respects the child's and family's preferences in this regard.
For any queries, contact the team on 021 696 0145 or email info@islamic-relief.org.za.
On certain occasions, supervised visits may be possible following prior arrangements with the local Islamic Relief office and with the agreement of the child and their guardian. Please note that visits cannot be made directly to the orphan's home, in line with Islamic Relief's Child Protection Policy. Any meeting will be held at the Islamic Relief offices.
Any South Africa-based individual requesting a visit will be required to be screened and approved before a visit is arranged. This process is in place to protect the safety and wellbeing of the child at all times.
Islamic Relief no longer accepts additional monetary gifts on top of monthly sponsorship. This policy was introduced because when some orphans receive extra gifts, other children in the same area can feel left out, which can cause emotional harm within the community.
If you would like to make an extra donation to support orphans, Islamic Relief encourages you to give towards the Orphans General Fund, which supports a wider community of orphaned and vulnerable children in need. In exceptional cases, such as a serious illness or urgent housing need, Islamic Relief may accept direct monetary gifts specifically to meet those needs. Please contact the team on 021 696 0145 to discuss such situations.
Islamic Relief does not accept packages from donors for their sponsored orphans. Packages often face significant challenges, including customs taxes and duties that the Islamic Relief office must pay, taking vital resources away from fieldwork. Packages can also get lost in transit or arrive damaged.
If you would like to support your orphan with extra gifts, the most effective way is to make a monetary donation to the Orphans General Fund, which allows Islamic Relief to purchase appropriate items locally and distribute them efficiently and equitably.
Cancellation and Changes
What happens if your circumstances change
A sponsorship may be cancelled in the following situations:
In the case of the orphan's passing, the sponsorship may be transferred to a sibling if they are of sponsorship age and meet the eligibility criteria.
Islamic Relief requests a minimum of three months' notice prior to cancellation. This allows enough time to find another sponsor for the child, ensuring there is no disruption to their support. If three months' notice is not provided, you will be required to make a payment to cover the three-month period.
If you are unable to provide notice due to exceptional circumstances, Islamic Relief will support the orphan for a further three months while a new sponsor is found. The welfare of the child remains the priority at all times.
To cancel or discuss your sponsorship, please contact the team on 021 696 0145 or call the toll-free number 0800 111 898.
Orphans in South Africa
How Islamic Relief South Africa supports vulnerable children locally
Yes. Islamic Relief South Africa has a dedicated local orphan support programme that provides food aid, healthcare, and educational support to orphaned and vulnerable children across South Africa. In our most recent reporting period, Islamic Relief South Africa supported 1,191 orphaned children locally, helping to combat food insecurity and build brighter futures for children in communities across the country.
Local support is provided in communities across the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng, with a focus on reaching children in the most underserved areas.
Islamic Relief South Africa's local orphan support programme provides a range of assistance designed to address the interconnected challenges facing orphaned and vulnerable children:
South Africa has one of the highest rates of child poverty and orphanhood in the world, driven by the legacy of HIV/AIDS, high rates of violent crime, unemployment, and inequality. Many children grow up in single-parent or grandparent-headed households with limited access to education, healthcare, and nutritional food.
Islamic Relief South Africa's work is grounded in the belief that every child deserves a safe home, quality education, and the opportunity to build a better future. By supporting orphaned and vulnerable children locally, Islamic Relief South Africa is investing in the next generation of South African communities.
Donating and Trust
How to give and why you can trust Islamic Relief South Africa
For any queries regarding your orphan sponsorship, please contact the Islamic Relief South Africa team:
Yes. Islamic Relief South Africa is a registered Section 18A organisation, which means that donations made to qualifying programmes are tax deductible in terms of the South African Income Tax Act. You will receive a Section 18A tax certificate for your records, which can be submitted to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) when filing your annual tax return.
For more information about your tax certificate, please contact the team on 021 696 0145 or email info@islamic-relief.org.za.
Yes. Islamic Relief South Africa is a fully registered and independently audited non-profit organisation:
Islamic Relief South Africa is a signatory to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Code of Conduct and adheres to strict safeguarding, child protection, and financial accountability standards.
You can sponsor an orphan or make a donation to the Orphans programme in the following ways:
Monthly sponsorship costs R1,200 per month (R14,400 annually) per orphan. For an upfront annual sponsorship, please contact the team on 073 154 5369.
Orphan sponsorship through Islamic Relief South Africa can be given as Sadaqah (voluntary charity) or Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity), as the support you provide continues to benefit the child over a sustained period. The educational and developmental support in particular carries the qualities of Sadaqah Jariyah, as the skills and knowledge gained by the child continue to benefit them long after the sponsorship ends.
Whether orphan sponsorship qualifies as Zakat depends on the specific circumstances of the orphan and their family. If the orphan and their caregiver meet the criteria for Zakat recipients (i.e., they are among the eight categories mentioned in the Quran, such as the poor or those in debt), then Zakat may be applicable. Islamic Relief South Africa recommends consulting a qualified Islamic scholar or contacting the team on 021 696 0145 for guidance on your specific situation.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "I and the one who looks after an orphan will be in Paradise like this" and he pointed with his index and middle fingers, keeping them close together. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Orphan Sponsorship vs. Orphan Care Fund
Understanding the difference between our two orphan giving programmes.
Orphan Sponsorship is a direct, one-to-one relationship between you and a specific named orphan. Your monthly donation of R1,200 goes exclusively to that same child every month. You receive a welcome pack when you sign up, an annual progress report written by field officers who visit the orphan, and the opportunity to write letters to the child. It is the most personal and direct way to support an orphan.
The Orphan Care Fund is a pooled fund. Your donation is combined with those of other donors and directed to the orphans and orphan families who are in the greatest need across Islamic Relief's global programmes. Although it is not a direct one-to-one sponsorship, your donation still goes towards providing critical care and support to specific orphans that Islamic Relief supports. The Orphan Care Fund offers greater flexibility to respond to urgent needs across a wider range of countries and programme types, including medical care, psychosocial support, and family empowerment.
Both programmes are deeply rewarding in Islam and both make a real, lasting difference to vulnerable children. Visit our Orphan Care Fund page to learn more.
Yes, absolutely. Many donors choose to sponsor a specific orphan through the one-to-one programme and also make additional donations to the Orphan Care Fund to support a wider pool of orphaned children. The two programmes complement each other well. Your sponsorship provides consistent, personalised support to one child, while a donation to the Orphan Care Fund allows Islamic Relief to respond to the most urgent orphan needs globally, including in crisis zones such as Gaza, Sudan, and Syria.
No. Annual progress reports and the opportunity to correspond with a child are features exclusive to the one-to-one Orphan Sponsorship programme. Because the Orphan Care Fund is a pooled fund directed to multiple orphans and families across many countries, it is not possible to provide individual child updates to each donor. If receiving personal updates and building a direct relationship with a specific child is important to you, we recommend visiting our Orphan Care Fund page to explore that option, or staying on this page to sign up for one-to-one sponsorship.
Unlike the Orphan Sponsorship programme, which has a fixed monthly amount of R1,200, the Orphan Care Fund accepts donations of any amount. You can make a once-off contribution or set up a recurring monthly donation at whatever level suits you. Every contribution, regardless of size, is pooled with those of other donors and directed to where the need is greatest among the orphans and families Islamic Relief supports globally.
Neither programme is better than the other. They serve different purposes and suit different giving preferences.
Choose Orphan Sponsorship if you want a direct, personal connection with a specific named child, regular updates on that child's progress, and the assurance that your donation goes exclusively to one orphan.
Choose the Orphan Care Fund if you want your donation to reach the orphans who are in the greatest need at any given time, across multiple countries and programme types, with the flexibility to support emergency responses as they arise.
Both are valid, both are rewarding, and both reflect the Islamic duty to care for orphans. If you are unsure which is right for you, contact our Donor Care team on 021 696 0145 or email Donor.Care@islamic-relief.org.za and we will be happy to help.