In a world where poverty affects millions, one Catholic-founded organization is demonstrating how Gospel values can change lives and end poverty across continents.
Unbound, an international nonprofit founded in 1981 by Catholic laypeople, delivers more than $100 million annually in individualized support to children, elders, and families living in poverty across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
What they’re doing is incredible, and we want to share with you some of their stories.
Faith in action
Unlike many global anti-poverty initiatives, Unbound is rooted firmly in principles of Catholic social teaching — human dignity, solidarity, the common good, and subsidiarity.
“These values and principles shape our programs and the way we work with families,” said Martin Kraus, Unbound's Chief Financial Officer in an interview with Aleteia.
Unbound’s approach reflects a deeply Catholic understanding of human relationships. Instead of simply sending aid, Unbound builds real connections between sponsors and recipients through letter exchanges and photo sharing.
Kraus shared the moving story of Gabriel (Gaby), a young boy from South America whom his family sponsored for over 16 years:
Gaby suffered from asthma and missed a lot of school days because he was too sick to attend. He struggled to keep up with his classmates both in the classroom and in play. At the same time, the family was trying to survive on very little income. Their focus was on survival, with little hope for a brighter future.
By helping Gaby, we helped the entire family. Gaby started to do better in school. His mother had more capacity to focus on other ways to improve their lives, such as starting a small business that brought additional income.
The sponsorship provided funding for his medication and school fees, but it also provided encouragement and friendship through our letter exchanges. A genuine friendship developed, even though we had only met via letters.
Today, Gaby has graduated college with an engineering degree and supports both himself and his mother, revealing just one example of the life-changing difference an Unbound sponsor can make.
Empowering women and communities
One of the most powerful parts of Unbound's mission is its recognition of the wisdom and expertise of mothers.
Sponsorship funds are placed directly into families' accounts, empowering mothers to make crucial decisions about their children's needs. But the impact extends beyond individual families.
“Mothers don't only look out for their children and families — they effect impactful change for their communities,” said Kraus.
Mother groups work together to fund and execute community projects, from school roofs to water tanks, working to bring about the common good based on the needs of their unique community. Unbound relies on these women’s knowledge, an example of their overall person-centered mission.
With over 259,000 individuals currently sponsored across 17 countries, Unbound operates on what Kraus said is “a radically decentralized approach.” Regional teams develop locally relevant eligibility guidelines, ensuring that those most in need receive support without bias based on ethnicity, religion, or gender.
The organization's five key pillars — eliminating poverty, empowering women, advancing education, building community, and promoting well-being of all ages — perfectly capture Catholic values and address both material and spiritual needs.
A ripple effect of caring
Perhaps most moving is how Unbound's model creates expanding circles of compassion. Kraus's family's experience with Gaby inspired his mother to sponsor an elderly woman in Honduras:
Both women are nearly 90 years old and have led full but very different lives, yet they have much in common. Now they are friends who will likely never meet in person but who share love and compassion for each other.
This intergenerational, cross-cultural friendship is a powerful reminder that we are all part of one human family, one Body of Christ. Unbound brings the world together, forging unlikely friendships through life-changing acts of kindness.
How to get involved
Interested in getting involved? Unbound offers multiple ways to participate.
Individual sponsorships cost relatively little but create life-changing impacts for both sponsors and sponsored individuals. The organization also accepts donations to its Critical Needs Fund and Scholarship Program.
“By sponsoring a child or elder, you create connections, foster relationships and help transform lives across geographic, economic and social divides,” said Kraus. “It costs relatively very little but it's life-changing for both parties.”
Pope Francis once said, “The poor are not statistics to cite when boasting of our works and projects. The poor are persons to be encountered.” Unbound beautifully captures the heart of his message through its personalized approach and long-running friendships developed between sponsors and recipients around the world.
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities at www.unbound.org.
