Changing Lives Through Education
BTCV Kids Program
What if one opportunity, one spark of hope, one small investment could completely change the direction of a person’s life? For many children around the world, going to school isn’t something they can take for granted. Financial struggles, limited resources, and challenging circumstances often stand in the way, even for those who are eager to learn. That’s where BTCV Kids steps in, helping to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.
The BTCV Kids Program was started in 2007 during our first project, 001, in Rwanda and has continued to grow. BTCV Kids is a scholarship program focused on supporting students in underserved communities. This program helps make dreams come true for students from BTCV Schools and Communities around the world by supporting educational needs for dedicated students so that they can pursue their dreams to the highest academic levels possible. BTCV Kids must maintain high attendance and passing marks in all classes and send progress reports to BTCV each term. They must also Be The Change themselves by documenting service to others in some capacity. Currently, there are students from 9 different countries enrolled in the program.
- Since
- 2007
- In Scholarships
- $300,000+
- Students Supported
- 80+
- Countries
- 9
Sponsorship
How the Program Works
The program is funded by individual donations designated for this purpose as well as established special scholarships for our BTCV Kids:
- The Patricia Crouch Family Memorial Scholarship
- The Malala Yousafzai Scholarship for Girls
- The Phomotso Makeke Cook Everything-is-the-best Scholarship
- Big Teacher Hug Scholarship
- BTCV Kids-Puerto Rico
How Do Students Become a BTCV Kid?
The primary mechanism is through our consistent communication and annual reporting from our community partners. All our community partners know about the program and can submit recommendations and applications for funding for one or more students. In addition, Changers can identify a student from a partner community who they think is a great candidate and can submit a recommendation and help with an application, or a student from a partner community can work with a relative, teacher, administrator or community partner to submit an application themselves.
BTCV evaluates each application to assess qualifications and determine if funding can be approved.
How Much Is a Sponsorship and How Do I Set It Up?
$1,000 USD per year is the minimum amount we request from each program donor (however, donations of any amount are accepted, appreciated, and helpful). Costs for each BTCV Kid vary widely depending on location, grade level, and school attending.
Ideally, donations are directed to the BTCV Kids Program general funds or one of the named scholarships. But, donors can also direct funds to a specific student after communication with BTCV Leadership.
Do I Get to Interact with the BTCV Kid I Sponsor?
The BTCV Kids Program is different than Compassion International or other similar programs that set up direct sponsor-child connections. At BTCV, we don’t facilitate direct correspondence with individual students. Instead, this program is designed to have a community of donors help as many kids as we can to get the education they want and deserve. It truly takes a village to raise a child and get them a great education – the BTCV Kids Program is the funding, support, and encouragement part of that village. So, your support doesn’t just change one life it helps uplift an entire group of young people working toward a better future.
Sometimes connections between donors and BTCV Kids do occur organically, especially when sponsors participate in a project in the students’ village. In addition, the BTCV Newsletters and annual reporting mechanisms include updates on the students in this program.
Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
Today, education is more important than ever. Without it, opportunities become limited and futures uncertain. BTCV Kids isn’t just responding to this reality, it's helping change it. By investing in education, the program helps open doors to jobs, stability, independence, health, and leadership. And, it does this in a way that respects dignity, encourages accountability, and strengthens communities from within.
Does It Work?
Education has the power to break cycles that feel impossible to escape, limit opportunities, and diminish dreams - BTCV Kids leverages that power to obliterate these cycles - one child at a time.
Since it began, the program has helped young people stay in school, finish their education, and move on to build meaningful careers - providing over $300,000 in scholarships to more than 80 students, many of whom have advanced to vocational, technical, and trade schools or universities…and secured sustainable, local jobs! But it’s not just about covering school fees—it’s about walking the journey with these students. From early education through to university or vocational training, the BTCV Kids Program is in it for the long haul, continuing to resource students throughout their lives.
With this support comes responsibility and accountability. Students are required to stay committed to their studies, attend school regularly, and share updates on their progress. They must also “pay it forward” in meaningful ways within their communities and circles, creating a ripple effect of positive change in our world.
So, it’s not just a donation, it’s an investment in the future. And, it is a future worth investing in - Behind every BTCV Kids scholarship is a young person with determination, ambition, and the desire to give back - if only they’re given the chance.
When you support BTCV Kids, you become part of that journey. Because investing in education doesn’t just change one life - it helps shape stronger families, healthier communities, and a better future for everyone.
Get Involved
Your Support Helps
So, you can see that getting involved is simple, but the impact is lasting.
- Spark hope
- Create opportunity
- Keep students in school
- Provide essential learning resources
- Sustain educational journeys
- Build careers
- Make dreams a reality
- Inspire others
If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to make a difference, this is a powerful place to start.
Teachers Toolbox
Teachers Are the Heart of Education
Direct funding for your classroom needs
Funding $100 – $1,000 per teacher
Closed for 2026–27They do one of the most important—and most challenging—jobs in the world, and supporting teachers is central to our mission at BTCV. As we say: “No Teachers, No School.”
When BTCV learned that many teachers in the U.S.—where most of our donors live—often lack dedicated funding for game-changing educational resources for STEM, music, art, and other developmental learning activities, and as a result, many educators spend their own money to provide these opportunities for their students, we knew we had to act!
To help close this gap, our donors led by “Uncle Al” Rohlfing created the BTCV Teachers Toolbox Program.
The Process
Quick and Easy
Because we know how busy teachers are.
Apply
Fill out and submit the simple application form by September 30 of each year.
Review
Our committee of educators reviews all completed applications.
Get Funded
Approved applications are funded at levels ranging from $100 – $1,000 per teacher, until all annual funding is exhausted. Recipients are notified by October 31 and receive funding in mid-December.
Through This Initiative, We’re Proud to Stand with Our Teacher Heroes—and to Invest in Their Classrooms, Where the Future Is Being Built
Funding ranges from $100 to $1,000 per teacher, awarded until this year’s funds are exhausted.
Questions? Contact bgamble@usd261.com
