ActionAid UK is rethinking its long-standing “sponsor a child” program, citing concerns that the model carries paternalistic and racialised undertones. The development charity, which launched the scheme in 1972 to connect donors with schoolchildren in countries such as India and Kenya, is now shifting its approach under the leadership of newly appointed co-chief executives Taahra Ghazi and Hannah Bond.
The co-leaders have signalled a broader organisational transformation aimed at “decolonising” ActionAid’s work, moving away from narratives of sympathy and charity towards solidarity, partnership, and long-term grassroots funding. The proposed changes will involve re-examining how the charity operates globally, with closer collaboration with teams in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to ensure programs reflect the priorities and needs of the communities themselves.
Ghazi explained that the current child sponsorship model reflects outdated assumptions about aid. “Most of our supporters are relatively well-off people and many of them are white, so if you’re asking them to choose a picture of a brown or black child and choose the country they come from – effectively, that’s a very transactional relationship and quite a paternalistic one. We recognise that the current child sponsorship model reflects a different time.”
ActionAid’s child sponsorship program currently spans 30 countries and contributes around 34% of the charity’s global funding. Ghazi emphasised that the organisation’s transformation process, expected to continue until 2028, will not only reshape funding structures but also how services are procured and delivered. “We’re decolonising it. We are evolving the model so it is shaped by community voices and responds to the realities they face today,” she said.
Bond added that while ActionAid is committed to reforming the sponsorship model, supporters’ contributions will continue to have tangible impact. “We value our sponsors and remain committed to making sure their support continues to have a real impact. Meaningful change takes time, and this work is rooted in genuine commitment rather than lip service.”
The charity’s move reflects a growing trend in the international development sector to examine power dynamics in aid and to prioritise locally driven solutions over traditional donor-led models. By shifting towards long-term, community-informed funding, ActionAid aims to create a more equitable and effective approach to supporting vulnerable communities around the world.
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