LETTER WRITING
If you're writing a Christmas card to your child in Kenya, here are some things to remember:
- Family members travel great distances to be together at Christmas, and this is often very difficult as most public transportation vehicles double or even triple bus fares. On Christmas Eve, groups sing from house to house, often receiving small gifts as they go. On Christmas Day, people wear new outfits, flowers and ribbons to church; garlands and Christmas trees brighten the church.
If you're writing a birthday card to your child, here are some things to remember:
- Birthday celebrations are a rare occasion for rural children. The child may know it is his or her birthday, but there is nothing special about the day. A child's birth date is often not recorded in African countries.
- Gifts from sponsors may go directly toward a need for the child, not necessarily a birthday party.
Information Regarding Names:
- Many African people are routinely called by their surname instead of their first name.
General Information:
- Value systems in Kenya or in the African context are quite different from those of the United States or Europe. Topics such as hobbies, pets, boyfriends and girlfriends, etc., are quite strange to people in the rural communities.
- Sometimes saying "thank you" is a learning opportunity for people in rural communities. But this does not mean lack of gratitude. In some cultures, children are not expected to speak in the presence of adults. In addition, "thank you" is often expressed by other means -- for example, giving a gift.
Write your child a letter.
GIFT GIVING
Child Gifts
Below are some examples of what a monetary gift can purchase for your child in Kenya (please note prices vary by region and economic situation, and the exchange rate is not consistent):
$10 and under: bedding, chicken, lamp, music cassette
$20 and under: ball, book, mattress, stationery, toys
$40 and under: bull, fertilizer, food, general clothing, goat, heifer, sheep, shoes
Give your child a gift.
Family Gifts
Below are some examples of what a monetary gift can purchase for your child's family in Kenya:
$60 and under: bicycle
$130 and under: bed, sewing machine, tools
Income-generating ideas within the family gift limit of $300 are:
- Basketry making and selling
- Chicken/sheep rearing
- Small-scale horticulture farming
- Tailoring and dressmaking
- Vegetable selling
Give a family gift.
Learn more about your child's country.
