The two programmes serve different purposes and suit different types of donors.

One-to-one Orphan Sponsorship is a direct, personal relationship between a donor and a specific named orphan. Your donation of R1,200 per month goes exclusively to that same child every month. You receive a welcome pack, an annual progress report written by field officers who visit the orphan, and the opportunity to correspond with the child. It is the most personal way to support an orphan. Learn more about Orphan Sponsorship here.

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 this is not a direct one-to-one sponsorship, your donation goes towards providing critical care and support to specific orphans that Islamic Relief supports. This approach allows greater flexibility to respond to urgent needs and to support a wider range of orphan projects, including family empowerment, medical care, and psychosocial support.

Both approaches are deeply rewarding in Islam and both make a real, lasting difference to vulnerable children.

Yes, in many cases. Zakat may be given to the poor and the needy, which are among the eight categories of eligible Zakat recipients defined in the Quran (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60). Orphaned children who are living in poverty, or whose caregivers are in financial need, qualify as Zakat recipients. Islamic Relief South Africa ensures that Zakat is directed only to eligible recipients. If you would like to confirm eligibility for a specific programme, please contact our Donor Care team on 021 696 0145.

Yes. Donations that fund education, skills training, and family empowerment for orphaned children are among the clearest examples of Sadaqah Jariyah, ongoing charity whose benefit continues after the donor’s death. A child who receives an education because of your donation will carry that knowledge for life. A mother who receives vocational training will use those skills to support her children for years to come. The reward of such a donation continues to reach the donor long after the gift has been made.

The Orphan Care Fund supports orphans and orphan families across all countries where Islamic Relief has an active presence, including Gaza, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Niger, Indonesia, Pakistan, and many others. Donations are directed to where the need is greatest at the time of distribution. Islamic Relief currently supports orphans across 27 countries through its various orphan programmes.

Islamic Relief defines an orphan as a child below 18 years of age who has no father, or whose father has been absent or whose whereabouts have been unknown for two years or more (one year for refugees), of any gender, religion, or race. Double orphans, who have lost both parents, are given priority in selection. Children are also assessed based on financial need, the vulnerability of their caregiver, and the conditions in which they are living.

Yes. Islamic Relief South Africa supports orphaned children locally through its local orphan sponsorship programme. South Africa has a significant orphan population, largely as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as poverty, violence, and family breakdown. Islamic Relief South Africa works with local partner organisations to identify and support orphaned children and their caregivers. If you are interested in sponsoring a local orphan specifically, please contact our Donor Care team on 021 696 0145 or email Donor.Care@islamic-relief.org.za.

The wellbeing of an orphaned child is inseparable from the wellbeing of their caregiver. In most cases, orphaned children are cared for by their mothers or other female relatives, who are themselves often living in poverty. If the caregiver cannot meet the family’s basic needs, the child suffers. By empowering mothers and caregivers through vocational training, financial support, and business mentorship, Islamic Relief creates the conditions for long-term stability and self-reliance. A mother who can earn an income is a mother who can feed, clothe, and educate her children without depending on ongoing aid.

Yes. Islamic Relief South Africa is a registered Section 18A organisation (NPO 043-357-NPO). All qualifying donations are tax deductible under South African law. Upon request, we will issue you with a Section 18A tax certificate that you can submit to SARS when filing your annual tax return. Please ensure you provide your full name, ID number or tax number, and email address when making your donation so that we can issue your certificate promptly.

According to our published figures, 86 cents of every rand donated reaches the people we serve. The remainder covers essential operational costs including field staff salaries, logistics, monitoring and evaluation, and organisational administration. These costs are necessary to ensure that programmes are delivered effectively, safely, and accountably. We are committed to transparency in how your donations are used, and we publish annual impact reports that detail our programme expenditure and outcomes.

You can donate to the Orphan Care Fund in the following ways:

Bank Transfer: Standard Bank | Account Name: Islamic Relief SA | Branch: Fordsburg | Branch Code: 005205 | Account No: 005318459 | Swift: SBZAZAJJ | Reference: Orphan Care + your mobile number.

Online: Visit donate.islamic-relief.org.za and select the Orphan Care Fund.

Phone: Call us on 021 696 0145 or toll-free on 0800 111 898 and our Donor Care team will assist you.

Email: Send your query to info@islamic-relief.org.za and we will get back to you promptly.