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STUDENT SPONSORSHIP SCHEME - HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
by Rev Teresa Wilborn, MMS Consultant. She is a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church. Her favourite food is laksa; it’s the first thing she eats when she returns to Singapore!
The MMS Student Sponsorship Scheme (SSS) is a programme that shares the love of Christ in a real and practical way by helping to break the vicious cycle of poverty. SSS has two donor schemes, for residential and non-residential students. For residential students, SSS provides residential care to orphans or those from broken homes, including shelter, food, clothing, and access to education. For non-residential students, SSS contributes towards the costs of tuition, books, uniforms, school meals, and transportation.
Whether directly or indirectly, people around the world have been affected by COVID-19. While the disease appears to be under control, the economic impact persists. Families living below the poverty line have been hardest hit with business closures, loss of jobs, inflation, and the death of breadwinners.
Poverty continues to be the primary reason for children not enrolling in, or not finishing, school. Even if schools are “free”, the costs of uniforms, supplies, and transport are beyond the means of poor families. Dropping out of school virtually guarantees perpetuation of the poverty cycle since the income-earning potential of the child is reduced. SSS seeks to help these children.
MMS has raised the monthly sponsorship rates with effect from 1 August 2023. The last increase in monthly contribution rates occurred eight years ago in 2015, 15 years after the scheme began in 2000. Unfortunately, living costs have continued to rise and a second increase is required in order to continue providing adequate care and access to education. For non-residential students, the contribution level will increase from S$45 to S$60, and for residential students from S$110 to S$145.
For sponsors who have already made advance payments beyond August, the increase will take effect only upon the renewal date of their sponsorship. For those sponsors who contribute on a monthly basis, the increase has taken effect on 1 August 2023. MMS has sent letters to all donors to explain the need for the raise and to ensure their continued desire to provide sponsorship.
Presently, 100 per cent of all donations go directly towards support of the children. However, significant human resource costs are incurred to administer the programme both at the home office, and by missionaries and national workers in the fields. To address this need, donors will now be encouraged to contribute to the SSS General Fund instead of being matched with specific students. Where there are mission schools, the board of directors of these schools will ensure that funds are used according to established guidelines to benefit the greatest number of needy students. For local schools and short-term hostels, the MMS Country Directors and leadership teams will oversee the SSS disbursements. Donors who currently sponsor a specific student may continue to do so.
Over the past 15 years, SSS has provided educational opportunities to more than 2,000 children and youths from the poorest families in Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.
Over the past 15 years, SSS has provided educational opportunities to more than 2,000 children and youths from the poorest families in Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. Without the generous support of donors within the Methodist community in Singapore, it would have been nearly impossible for these boys and girls to attend school. By God’s grace and with donors’ continued support, SSS will continue to provide hope for generations to come.
If you have any questions about SSS or the increases to be implemented in August, please contact Helen Tan at helen.tan@methodist.org.sg or 6478 4753.
