zakat and orphan sponsorship

[sadiav]

Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

I vaguely recall something about orphan sponsorship being mentioned in Rizq Management class, just wanted to clarify what was said

Can zakat money be used to sponsor orphans overseas, through a charity organization like HCI or IRFAN

If yes, how can this be done, as orphan sponsorship is done by means of monthly payments [like 30$ or 60$ a month] and zakat payment is due as soon as the nisaab is held for the howl

Jazakum Allahu Khayrane

[*Sabrina*]

Assalam alaikum,

I also have some related questions:

Could orphan sponsorship work for zakah if the yearly sponsorship amount is given all at once, ie, not given as monthly payments, but the entire sum amount is given at the time the zakah is due?

Also, suppose my zakah is due at the end of Ramadan, should I mail and write my check on the date it is due, or should I actually send it sooner than that, so the recipients of the zakah receive the money when my zakah is due? If I should send it sooner, how much earlier should I send it?

Jazakallah Khairan.