We are a Christian charity following Jesus' example to rescue children from terrible circumstances and care for them just as He would
Our kids are amazing, we have over 3,800 around the world, from Myanmar to Colombia to Ethiopia and no two are the same. We take care to understand and meet their individual needs from food and healthcare, to loving parents and a quality education. We help them realise their full potential, stand on their own two feet and change their futures. Our motivation is to care for them as Jesus would, showing them they are loved by God and accepted for who they are.
Motivated by Jesus
Jesus took action against injustice, embraced those classed as untouchable, fed the hungry, comforted the hurting, was a friend to the outcast and an advocate for the vulnerable. Stand by Me believes that as we demonstrate God's love, we offer hope - the same hope that allowed Jesus to see not only people's suffering and sadness, but also their potential.
Founded on James 1:27
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (NIV)
As people of God and recipients of His amazing love, we believe we have been invited in Scripture to share his love with those in distress. Having accepted this biblical invitation to care for suffering children and widows, we invite you to join us.
Anyone can change one child’s life
Through child sponsorship, we believe that anyone can reach across the world and enable one of our kids to have a chance at a great life. Child sponsorship is so much more than a monthly donation, it helps a child feel special and part of a wider family. Children like Grace.
Meet Grace
She's just one of our amazing kids that has thrived thanks to the love, prayers and encouragement of a sponsor. But life had a difficult start for Grace.
Grace was handed to us in a bundle of rags by a policewoman. At just three weeks old she had been abandoned by the roadside. She didn't even have a name. No one wanted her and she was going to be put back where she was found.
But we couldn’t let that happen. So we adopted her and named her Grace. We gave her a comfortable home and a loving family in Jane’s Home at our Bethany Children’s Village and today Grace is chatty, funny and doing well at school. Grace is loved, cared for and is full of life.
Over 26 years ago, our Founding Director, David Spurdle, a teacher from Essex, went on a mission trip to Lebanon during the civil war. He only went to dig a ditch but while he was there, he saw firsthand the needs of 50 boys in an orphanage. After this life-changing experience he knew he had to do something.
David heard God's call and took a step of faith, resigned from his position as Headteacher and set up Stand by Me. What started in a garden shed, God has blessed, multiplied, and along the way, used in order to transform thousands of kids lives.
To read more about how Stand by Me started and what we have done since, please read our story.
Becoming who God intended them to be
Our child-centred approach to care tackles each and every obstacle our kids face, enabling them to access a life-changing education. We're in no rush, we're in this for the long term, to care for each child for as long as they need, to help them become everything God intends them to be. We know our approach works because we've seen our kids succeed, time and time again. With the right care, God's love and people willing to stand by them, our kids are thriving.
We work where God leads us
In 1995, we saw the desperate needs of kids wandering the streets of the Dominican Republic. These children wanted to go to school but there were no school places for them. We saw the needs and knew that we needed to act.
We built a school to provide children with food, education, love and attention. Today our first students have gone on to achieve their dreams. You can read Wilton's story (pictured), one of our kids who is now practicing as a surgeon here.
It is only through the generosity of people who sponsor or give to our greatest needs, that we are able to tackle the situations in these communities and change the lives of these remarkable kids.