In which countries do you work?

Currently, Spark Ventures has one partner, Hope Fellowship Ministries in Ndola, Zambia, Africa.  The goal is to partner with high impact organizations that are already in place, helping vulnerable children in impoverished and/or under-resourced areas. 

It is the vision of Spark Ventures to have strong partnerships in Africa, Asia, Europe and North, Central and South America within ten years.  These partnerships will serve as models for how to effectively address the needs of vulnerable children and create healthy, sustainable and supportive communities.

Is Spark affiliated with any church or denomination?

Spark Ventures is not a religiously affiliated organization, though our partner organizations may be faith-based. 

How did Spark begin?

In May of 2006, three friends, living in Chicago decided to take a trip to Zambia (south central Africa), to learn more about the world and see the situation in Africa first hand.  They spent most of their time at Hope House Orphanage, which is home to about 15 children, most of whom have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS.and also spent a few days at the Hope Community School, which provides education for over 200 extremely poor children.

The time in Ndola was filled with great experiences: new friends, laughter, children and learning about the culture and history of Africa.  For as much poverty and sickness that is present, there is also a tremendous amount of hope, energy, and joy that the people of this beautiful African country hold.  It was an inspiring two weeks.

The trip raised many questions, but the most important seemed to be---what can we do to make a difference---especially from Chicago? 

The journey consisted of taking one step after another.  And upon our return, the next step seemed to be inviting one of their new Zambian friends to visit Chicago—Charles Mumba, the Director of the orphanage and school.  During his time in Chicago, they discussed the needs of his organization, a realistic operating budget, and a very basic partnership between his organization and them — a yet to be named non-profit.

A generous donor to get things started, some paperwork to form an official organization, a follow-up trip to help with leadership and development, a name, a website, and Spark Ventures was started.

Sponsorship Questions

What is a Spark Sponsor?

A Spark Sponsor is someone who has made the decision to personally invest in the life of a child in need.  As a sponsor, you will be contributing to the future well-being of a vulnerable child. Your monthly sponsorship donation helps provide various levels of physical, educational and emotional support for the children in the programs of Spark's partner organizations.

Your relationship with your sponsored child makes you a very important person who has a significant role in his or her development. You stand alongside parents, teachers, family and friends who are taking an active role in encouraging and developing the child.

What happens after I sign-up to sponsor a child?

About 2 weeks after you sign up to be a sponsor, you will receive a picture and profile of your child. Also included in the sponsorship package will be some facts about the geography and history of the child's country, some information about the specific partner program, and sponsorship guidelines.

How are children chosen for sponsorship?

All of the children who are currently enrolled in Hope Community School are either sponsored, or waiting to be sponsored.  These children are too poor to attend public schools, which require students to pay for uniforms and books. For many of these students, this is the first time they have had the opportunity to attend school on a regular basis.

All of the children of Hope House Orphanage are either sponsored, or waiting to be sponsored.  Many have lost parents and caretakers because of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  All the children, at the orphanage, ranging in age from 4 years old to 17 years old are part of the Spark sponsor program.

What benefits will the child I sponsor receive?

At the Hope House Orphanage, your sponsorship helps provide food and water, housing, clothes and basic medical support, as well as emotional support and round the clock care for the child. Additionally, sponsorship helps cover the cost of enrollment in Hope Community School, the supplies, a uniform, and meal program for the child.

At the Hope Community School, our sponsorship allows the child to be enrolled year-round, and provides school supplies, a uniform, a meal program, and a basic medical check up and treatment at least once a year.

The children who are sponsored receive a tremendous amount of encouragement and inspiration knowing that someone across the world cares for them. The children are thrilled to receive a letter, note, or picture from their sponsor, as they seldom, if ever get mail.

How long should my child sponsorship last?

Spark sponsorship offers you the opportunity to stay with a child for a number of years, usually through the school year in which the child reaches the age of 18. While we hope that you will be able to continue in your support of your sponsored child until then, we recognize that sponsors' circumstances sometimes change. You may discontinue your sponsorship at any time.

Also, please understand that a sponsored child's circumstances may change, too. For example, sometimes families move beyond the reach of the program and have to leave Spark sponsorship.

We will inform you as quickly as possible if any such circumstance affects the child you sponsor, and we'll offer you the opportunity to support another child in need of your help.

How can I communicate with the child I sponsor?

Feel free to write or e-mail letters as often as you would like.  All letters sent to Spark will be forwarded to your child, and if necessary, translated.  If mailing, please send the letters to:

Attention: Sponsorship
Spark Ventures
P.O. Box 479329
Chicago, IL  60647-9329

If you would rather e-mail the letter, send it to sponsorship@sparkventures.org.   We will print your e-mail, put it in letter format, and mail it.

Please be patient as the mail to Zambia is very slow and you may not receive a response right away. 

Will my child write to me? 

Your child will write to you at least two times a year. A teacher or staff person will help children who have yet to learn how to read and write. Letter writing is developmental for these children as it improves their basic literacy and self-awareness.   The day that the letters are delivered to the children is a very exciting time for them. 

Can I send packages to my sponsor child?

We understand your desire to send packages to your sponsored child. However, Spark has a policy not to accept packages for the following reasons:
     ° Possibility of tension created in the community by one family receiving numerous or expensive gifts
     ° High duty charges in many countries
     ° Possibility of loss, theft or damage

If you would like to send a small gift to your sponsored child, you may enclose items in letters to your child or in an envelope no larger than 6x9 inches. Here are a few items that the children seem to enjoy:  pictures, bookmarks, stickers, picture postcards and other flat, inexpensive items.

Can I send a monetary gift or money to purchase a gift locally for my sponsor child?

We have a gift fund for sponsor children.  Three times a year, coinciding with the beginning of their school terms (Jan, May and Sept), we purchase small gifts for all of the children in the sponsor program.  We have determined this to be the most fair and sustainable process for the children and our partner organizations.  If you would like to contribute to the gift fund, please make a donation online and send us an email at: sponsorship@sparkventures.org to let us know you would like your contribution to go to the gift fund for sponsor children.  You can also send a check to us at Spark Ventures, PO Box 479329, Chicago, IL 60647-9329.  Please write "gift fund" in the memo.

Can I send money for a birthday gift for my sponsor child?

In Zambia it is not customary to celebrate birthdays so we do not give gifts or money to sponsor children in connection with their birthdays.  However, we do collect gift money and distribute small gifts to all the children in our sponsorship program three times a year.  If you would like to contribute to the gift fund, please make a donation online and send us an email at: sponsorship@sparkventures.org to let us know you would like your contribution to go to the gift fund for sponsor children.  You can also send a check to us at Spark Ventures, PO Box 479329, Chicago, IL 60647-9329.  Please write "gift fund" in the memo.

Can I send my child a Christmas present or money to purchase a gift locally?

It would be great if you would like to help us give Christmas gifts to the children in our sponsorship program.  Three times a year, coinciding with the beginning of their school terms (Jan, May and Sept), we purchase small gifts for all of the children in the sponsor program.  The children are not in school during the month of December, so they receive their Christmas gifts when they return in January.  We have determined this to be the most fair and sustainable process for the children and our partner organizations.  If you would like to contribute to the gift fund, please make a donation online and send us an email at: sponsorship@sparkventures.org to let us know you would like your contribution to go to the gift fund for sponsor children.  You can also send a check to us at Spark Ventures, PO Box 479329, Chicago, IL 60647-9329.  Please write "gift fund" in the memo.

How often will I receive an update about my sponsor child?

You will have the opportunity to correspond with your child via mail or our online message option, and you will receive an update and new picture at least once a year.

Can I visit my sponsor child?

Meeting your sponsored child face-to-face can be an exciting and moving event for both of you. And if you ever wish to do so, we're here to help you.  Additionally, we hope to have planned trips scheduled in the next 12 months that will allow people to travel in a small group to the partner locations.

Please contact us at info@sparkventures or call us at 312-458-9246 if you are interested in knowing more about visiting.

Investing/Contribution Questions

How does sponsorship payment work?

If you decide to make the monthly sponsorship investment with a credit card, the amount chosen will be automatically deducted from your account each month.   If you decide to discontinue the sponsorship, the monthly deduction will be cancelled.

If you decide to make the monthly sponsorship investment with a check, we will send you six addressed envelopes along with the initial sponsorship package.  When we send you the semi-annual progress report for your sponsored child, we will include six more envelopes.  It is our hope that sponsors will send their monthly sponsorship gifts at the first of each month, as we do not send monthly correspondence.

How can I be sure that my contribution is actually being used to help the child?

Spark Ventures is governed by a Board of Directors that take your contributions very seriously.  Regular visits and correspondence with our partner organizations, along with specific systems and processes for fiscal responsibility are in place.  Additionally, contributors will have access to an annual financial report with clear and open explanations for the allocation of our resources.

Can I send more than one month’s amount toward my sponsorship support?

Your gift may be prepaid quarterly or annually; whichever is most convenient for you.

Are my contributions to Spark tax-deductible?

All contributions to Spark Ventures are tax-deductible in the United States. As a requirement of the 1993 Revenue Reconciliation Act, we verify that no goods or services of value are given to you for your contribution.  You will receive an email receipt for your contributions.