How Sponsorship Works at Compassion
1. The Child You Sponsor Is Cared for By the Church
Every child enrolled in our program is known and loved by their local church. We partner with the local church, already established in impoverished communities, to facilitate and support the children’s physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, because they know what each child needs.
“The child you sponsor is helped through a local church partner — not a community center. The child comes to the church center and is ministered to by the church-based staff. The child you sponsor is known by name.” — Former Compassion employee
2. Community Is Critical at Compassion Centers
One of Compassion’s distinctives is that we are child-focused, meaning we prioritize each child’s holistic development. This helps them grow in mind, body and spirit. But to do that, they need a supportive community, lifting them up and encouraging them.
As a sponsor, you are also part of this community, helping to pour wisdom and love into a child’s life.
“The interaction, guidance, prayer and support of loving, caring adults in the lives of children is core to our sponsorship program. The exact ratio of adults to children at each development center is determined jointly by each church partner and our local country office. While some development centers may have 50 children enrolled and others may have 400, it's up to the church to determine how many volunteers and staff are needed to run the program and to provide individual attention to each child.” — Former Compassion employees.
3. Sponsorship Says, “You’re Valued”
Sponsorship is a meaningful way to reflect Christ’s love by walking alongside a child in need. Many children living in poverty don’t hear that they have purpose. You have the chance to share with them the inherent worth they have, given from God.
“Poverty does more than rob a child of his or her physical life; the child loses his or her God-given sense of dignity and self-worth. Children in poverty miss out on the understanding that God loves them. Child Sponsorship helps to rebuild a child’s sense of God-given value and meets his or her spiritual, physical, educational and relational needs.” — Former Compassion employee
4. Sponsorship Doesn’t Work Overnight
Sometimes it can be difficult to see the impact you’re making right away. Many sponsors have shared how meaningful change often unfolds over time. Just know, that by sharing the hope of Christ with your sponsored child, you’re giving them the greatest gift ever given.
“Always know that whatever level of engagement you have with the child you are sponsoring, you are making a difference in his or her life. Stay the course. The fruit of sponsoring a child takes time; it is not an overnight matter. It takes steady, consistent support and prayer.” — Catherine, sponsor
New to Sponsorship? Check out these articles:
What Does Sponsorship Provide?
What to Expect
5. Every Sponsorship Experience Is Unique
No sponsorship is the same, but that is the beauty of it too. Embrace the meaningful connection with your sponsored child, and the Holy Spirit will bless it in ways you couldn’t imagine.
“Your sponsorship may be a different experience than what you initially think it will be. And you may never know the full impact your sponsorship has on a child’s life. Be okay with letting it be exactly what God wants it to be.” — Becky, Compassion sponsor
6. The Child You Sponsor Waits for Your Words
Your words can be deeply meaningful to your sponsored child. Rather than pressure, many sponsors come to see letter writing as a simple way to show care and encouragement.
“Behind each letter you receive, there is always a hopeful child waiting for a word of encouragement.” — Compassion employee, Colombia
7. Each Child & Culture Is Different
Remember that God put your sponsored child in your path for a reason. Don’t be discouraged if your letters look different from your friends’.
“Not all sponsored children will be engaged in the program the same way. Each child and culture is different, with different backgrounds and ideals. For example, try not to compare how often your friend’s sponsored child writes vs. how often your sponsored child writes to you.” — Ruth, Compassion sponsor
8. Children May Have Help Writing Letters
Trusted tutors can help write letters for sponsored children. And what a joy it will be for that child when they feel equipped to write one on their own!
“Generally, our registered children start attending school when they are 7 or 8 years old. They start in first grade (without going to kindergarten) and are not able to write and read very well until they are in third grade of elementary school. That is why many letters are written by a tutor or a parent, until they are able to write in a legible way. And in many instances, even the parents don’t know how to write and read, so almost every letter is written by the child’s tutor.” — Compassion employee, Guatemala
9. Letters May Seem Repetitive in Certain Cultures
If some letters seem redundant, know that some cultures don’t write letters every day.
“Latin American culture is oral. We like to make jokes, to hug, to laugh out loud, to express ourselves orally, but we are not used to expressing ourselves through writing. This is why you may find that sometimes letters seem repetitive or shallow.” — Compassion employee, Honduras
10. Language Differences Can Make Writing a Challenge
Language differences can make writing letters more challenging for some children. And because letter writing is rare, it can be hard for children to articulate their thoughts.
“In Guatemala, we have 23 different languages, and that is one reason children raised with their native language find difficulties in learning how to express themselves correctly in Spanish, until they are 11 or 12 years old. Additionally, many volunteers at the development centers don’t understand Spanish, so they can't help write letters. The ones who barely understand Spanish find it difficult to write good-quality letters. They also are not used to writing letters.” — Compassion employee, Guatemala
Still Have Questions About How Sponsorship Works? Check out our Sponsorship FAQ page.
Impact and Relationship
11. You’re an Example
Be empowered to know that God has put you in this child’s life to inspire and mentor them, when they may not have anyone else. And there are no qualifications for this; trust that God will equip you with the right words and support to give. We are here to support you, too!
“You are an example of the goals that the child is now able to dream of.” — Compassion employee, Colombia
12. The Child You Sponsor Wants to Know You
Sponsorship creates the opportunity for a meaningful one‑to‑one connection that can grow over time. Let your sponsored child know you and allow for a beautiful bond to form.
“The two things that are far more important than your financial commitment to sponsoring a child are your prayers and your letters. When children don’t get letters, and they regularly write letters to you, it gets very discouraging. They want to know you.” — Kees, Compassion sponsor
13. Consistent Encouragement Is Key
Many sponsors have found that consistent encouragement, even when it feels repetitive, can have a lasting impact on a child’s confidence and hope.
“Just remember that your sponsored children are going to read your letters again and again, as you do theirs. They will notice recurring themes. I tell Mateo in just about every letter that I am proud of him. I’ve been sponsoring him since he was 6; he’s now 13. A sentence in his last letter really melted my heart. He thanked me for being his sponsor and for always believing that he could do great things. Then he asked me to keep writing him.” — Jennifer, Compassion sponsor
14. Your Letters Motivate Children
The letters you write can be beacons of hope for a child and their families. They are a tangible form of God’s love.
“Many children feel discouraged when they don’t receive letters from their sponsors and other children do. Children feel so much more motivated when they receive letters. It makes them feel loved, motivated and encouraged to keep at the Compassion program. The children and their families treasure the letters as very valuable items. Not sure what to write? Pray on it; you’ll find the right words.” — Compassion employee, Honduras
15. Your Letters Are Prized Possessions
Sponsorship letters are extremely valuable to children. In many cases, they treasure them forever.
“Children highly value your letters and usually keep them inside a special box (e.g., an old shoebox made beautiful with colorful designs and drawings). There have been documented cases (from numerous Compassion countries) when, during typhoons and floods, this box was one of the first things the children thought of rescuing.” — Edwin Estioko, Compassion employee
Key Sponsorship Advice
16. Don’t Forget the Critical Letter Details
When writing letters, including your sponsor number and child number helps ensure your message reaches your sponsored child smoothly.
“When writing to your sponsored child, please make sure your sponsor number and the child’s number are included on the letter. This saves us hours of research in determining which child to send the letter to.” — Former Compassion employee
17. Short Letters Are Best
It’s okay to learn as you go! We just want to ensure you don’t feel pressured to write long updates. Short and intentional messages mean just as much.
“Short, frequent letters are better than yearly updates. And keep in mind it may take several months to receive a response.” — Former Compassion employee
18. It’s Important to Keep Your Info Updated
We ask that you update your personal information frequently to help us communicate with you in the most effective way.
“Having a current email address or cell phone number on file allows us to share important sponsorship information with you more quickly, eliminating the need to wait for mail to arrive. And in cases we need to share crisis information affecting the child you sponsor, getting that information to you as quickly as possible is our goal.” — Matthew Kruger, Compassion employee
19. Avoid Direct Communication
To help protect children and families, Compassion requires sponsors to communicate through the channels we provide.
“We ask that you don’t communicate directly with your sponsored child, via e-mail, phone, Facebook, etc., outside of the letter-writing channel we offer. This is to protect the child you sponsor. Direct communication can develop into problematic situations — for you, the child and us. Before a child is registered in our program, the child and the parents agree to our communication guidelines. Initiating contact outside of Compassion places the child, family and church partner staff in a difficult situation.” — Former Compassion employee
We hope these words of wisdom have resonated with your heart. Child sponsorship is a mutually beneficial connection, one that impacts sponsor and child in meaningful ways. If this sparked curiosity or questions, we’re happy to keep walking with you.
