Compassion works with hundreds of translators across the 29 countries we serve to translate sponsor letters.
Each translator works hard to ensure your message is shared accurately and in a way the child can understand.
Language barriers won’t keep you from building a connection with the child you sponsor. Our translators are here to help.
So, you want to write a letter to the child you sponsor, but you don’t speak his or her language. How do you make sure your original message still gets across? How does the translation process work?
Here, we’re taking your questions to the people in the know: the translators themselves! Below you’ll find commonly asked questions and answers from the very people who ensure your messages of love get to the child you sponsor.
Do I Need to Write the Translation If My Sponsored Child Speaks a Different Language?
No, you don’t have to worry about that. We have staff and volunteers in 29 countries who are in your corner.
Each day, we receive thousands of letters in dozens of different languages. And each one is carefully read and translated by a team of child advocates who share one goal: helping you connect with the child you sponsor.
When you write a letter by hand, online or via the MyCompassion app, it’s digitally delivered to one of our country offices. Then, it’s sent to a translator and converted into the language your sponsored child will understand.
Are Original Letters Accompanied by Translated Letters?
Yes! When you write, the child you sponsor will receive a copy of your original letter alongside a translated version.
The kids cherish the original letters, often as much as the translated ones — even if they can’t read the words. They’re a special reminder that someone on the other side of the world loves and cares about them.
Why Do Letters Go Through Translation If the Child Writes in English?
Our translation team takes special care to not only translate your words, but also ensure conversations are accurate, culturally appropriate and aligned with our child protection standards. This helps ensure a growing connection while protecting you and the child you sponsor.
Special Words From Compassion Translators
Want to learn more about our translation process? Get to know a few of the translators who help you connect with the child you sponsor.
Why Did You Become a Translator for Compassion?
“Everything started as a normal job, but I could see through the letters the great and deep needs that our children experience. Being a Christian, I was deeply touched by everything I read and translated in these letters that I made the decision to start praying before I started working. I consider it a ministry. When I begin my workday, I kneel and thank God for allowing me to have one more day of blessing to do my translation work with love for the children and sponsors with love, loyalty, honesty, professionalism and accuracy.” — Henry, Colombia
How Many Letters Are You Able to Translate Each Week?
“Every week, I translate about 2,000 letters.” — Caroline, Kenya
What’s Your Favorite Part About Translation?
“My favorite part of the job is when I get to see how grateful and happy the children are to have a caring and loving sponsor.” – Luis, El Salvador
“I can be a link between a sponsor and his or her sponsored child. I can connect people through a message, even if the message is short.” — Translator, Peru
“When I get to translate about the miracles that God has performed in the lives of the kids, to know about how much they learn at the centers in every area of their lives. And the encouraging words that the sponsors send to the children.” — Johana, El Salvador
“My favorite part of my job is to read what children have to say to their sponsors. I have read very funny letters and sad letters, too. I also love how sponsors encourage children with wonderful verses from the Bible. This also helps me to get closer to God.” – Angelica, Colombia
What Is the Hardest Thing to Translate?
“Personally, I believe that handwritten letters are special; however sometimes it is hard for us as translators to understand illegible handwriting. It could take us a lot of time trying to understand the message. I wish the sponsors knew that in case their handwriting is not neat, they could use some other strategies such as the online tools to send a message and therefore this would make it to come to the children exactly as they stated.” – Paula, Colombia
“The most difficult parts could be when the sponsor uses idioms that do not have exact equivalents in Spanish or when they make cultural references that can be difficult to explain to young children.” – Translator, Peru
Why Is Letter Writing Important?
“The letters [you] write are a source of hope. For children who come from homes and backgrounds as difficult as the ones in our program, sometimes they only need to hear that someone loves them and believes in them, and that changes their whole focus in life. It’s not just a letter, it’s a lifeline.
There are children who never hear the words ‘I love you’ or ‘you can do it!’ in their homes. Hearing these words from a person they value, whom God has miraculously brought into their lives may help turn their whole outlook on life around. So, I would say, write as much as you can.” — Caroline, Kenya
How Do You Protect Children Through Translation?
“[As a translator] you also become an advocate for the child and sponsor … protecting them from information that would harm them. It is a responsibility.” – Rebekka, Colombia
“[There are] things we should not translate. For example, when the sponsor asks the child for additional personal information or when they send pictures that are not suitable for the children. These types of cases are not very common, but we are prepared if at some point they happen.” — Luis, Peru
What Should Sponsors Write About?
“I think that the sponsor should put himself in the child’s shoes and they should write about whatever thing they would like to hear about if they were a sponsored child. The main purpose of the letters is to build a connection between each sponsor and their sponsored child.” – Maria, El Salvador
Are Cultural Differences a Problem?
“I don’t think that culture is a barrier for communication between children and sponsors. Our job as translators is to not only translate words, but to make the translated letters understandable for sponsors. In many cases we need to add some translator’s notes to clear up some things for sponsors that they may not understand if we translate literally every word.” – Sergio, Colombia
Every time you write a letter to the child you sponsor, you’re making a connection that brings you closer together. And don’t worry about the language barriers — you write the words of love, and we’ll ensure they’re delivered.
