SEDS Child Sponsorship – India
SEDS Child Education Sponsorship Program
The SEDS Child Education Sponsorship Program was established in 1994 after Partners in Aid board members observed that many children in rural Andhra Pradesh were not attending school. At the time, limited infrastructure, teacher absenteeism, and widespread poverty meant that education was out of reach for most village children — especially girls.
Working with the Social Education and Development Society (SEDS), Partners in Aid created a sponsorship program to support children from disadvantaged families to attend school. Each sponsorship covers school fees, uniforms, books, and shoes, along with regular health checks and monthly visits to SEDS for cultural, sporting, and social activities.
Today, the program supports around 170 students across multiple villages, from pre-primary through to Year 10, and occasionally into tertiary education. The program has achieved outstanding academic outcomes — in 2024, 16 of 18 Year 10 students passed their exams, most with first-division results
Over the years, more than 700 students have benefited from sponsorship. Many have gone on to complete vocational training or higher education, becoming teachers, electricians, engineers, artists, and small business owners.
The program has also supported students with disabilities and launched life-skills training in tailoring, mechanics, and driving.
Education in the region has transformed since the early years. More parents now value schooling, girls are continuing beyond Year 5, and sponsored students are inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
Through the dedication of sponsors, SEDS staff, and Partners in Aid volunteers, this program continues to break cycles of poverty and create lasting opportunities one child at a time.