i like this thread sun

hello my name is Deniz im new to this forum. ex sunni im now just is muslim (submitter) and i wondering on what is zakat and hows the best way to do it.
i recently have been giving my excess money to salvation army and other places which help people but my people are telling me dont help them they are kaffir -.- i see it as if they are human and need help.
another question of mine is would sponsoring a child in a poor country counted as zakat ?
cheers and looking forward to peoples responses may Allah be with you this ramadan )