LAST UPDATED: August 2026
Choose how you'd like to make a difference
Whether you want to be personally paired with an orphan or contribute to broader care, your giving changes lives. Choose the path that feels right for you.
Orphan Sponsorships
From $45/month · 1:1 or Shared
Be personally paired with an orphaned child. Your consistent monthly support provides food, shelter, education, and healthcare — and shows a child that someone truly cares. Choose a full 1:1 sponsorship ($90/month) or split it with another donor ($45/month).
Orphan Care
Monthly or one-time giving
Your donation is pooled to support orphans who need extra care, assist their mothers, and reach entire orphan families with what they need most. Flexible giving, meaningful impact — every dollar counts.
13,035
Female orphans supported
1986
Year our program was established
26
Countries where we operate
14,649
Male orphans supported
Transforming orphaned children's lives for over 40 years
The Orphan Sponsorship Program is one of the oldest running programs within Islamic Relief, established in 1986. We serve orphaned children under 18 - a child whose father has passed away or whose whereabouts have been unknown for two or more years. Sponsorships can extend to age 24 for orphans in higher education or with ongoing medical needs.
Your support reaches not just the child, but their entire family — covering essential daily needs and providing a stable foundation for a better future. Across 26 countries, our dedicated case workers conduct regular home visits to ensure every child is safe, supported, and thriving.
- Food and nutritious meals for the family
- Safe and stable shelter
- Access to quality education
- Healthcare and medical support
- Dedicated case worker visits and monitoring
- Additional support through Ramadan, Qurbani, and Eid programs
- Micro-finance and vocational training for guardians
Our Reach
Supporting orphans across 26 countries from Asia to Africa to Eastern Europe - your generosity reaches the most vulnerable children wherever they are.
Our Reach
Supporting orphans across 26 countries from Asia to Africa to Eastern Europe - your generosity reaches the most vulnerable children wherever they are.
Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Chechnya, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine (Gaza), Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Yemen
The Importance of Caring for Orphans in Islam
A sacred duty. A prophetic calling.
Our Prophet ﷺ placed the highest status on those who care for orphans. Sponsoring an orphan is among the most beloved acts in Islam — a deed that brings you close to the Prophet ﷺ himself in Jannah. With your continued support, Islamic Relief has helped over 80,000 orphans worldwide.
"Whoever caresses the head of an orphan (in affection), solely for the sake of Allah, a good deed will be written to his account for every hair over which he passed his hand, and whoever treated an orphan with goodness and kindness, he and I will be close to each other in Heaven as these two fingers."
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ · Hadith · Sahih al-Bukhari
"They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend in charity. Say, 'Whatever you spend of good is for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveller. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.'"
Qur'an · Al-Baqarah 2:215
"Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense? For that is the one who drives away the orphan and does not encourage the feeding of the poor."
Qur'an · Al-Ma'un 107:1–2
