Questions about letter writing are some of the most common ones we receive in our contact center — and for good reason! Sponsors want to make the most of letter writing so they can encourage and deliver hope to the children they sponsor.
Sometimes, we receive calls from sponsors who feel frustrated over the messages they get as they feel distant, lacking warmth or personal connection.
If this is you too, know that we see your heart to best serve the child you sponsor. Now, let us shed some light with the help of one of our contact center experts.
Why Letters Seem Impersonal: A Contact Center Expert’s Perspective
Recently, I spoke to a sponsor who was frustrated that the child she chose, Carlos, doesn’t answer the questions she asks in her letters. She also shared that she was surprised when she received a letter wishing her a “Merry Christmas” …in June!
Sometimes, children in Compassion’s program struggle with the concept of writing a letter at first.
“You are probably the only person that Carlos will write a letter to, and he may be struggling with the concept of having a conversation with someone by mail.”
Common Reasons Writing a Letter Can Be Hard
The child sponsor replied, “But he’s 15 years old. Don’t you think he should have a better grasp by now?” There are often many things at play that can make writing a letter hard for the children we serve. Here are a few:
Writing letters might be new. Young children may have never written a letter before. And in this day and time when digital communication is most common, writing a letter can be new for older children too. Children must learn something out of the ordinary, which can take getting used to.
Children can forget past letters. When children receive letters from their sponsors, they take it home with them and put it in a special place for safekeeping. They’re often their most prized possessions. When it’s time to write again, they may not have their past letters with them to reference, especially if they write during the time set aside at their Compassion centers. For the sponsor of Carlos, this could be why she didn’t receive answers to her questions.
Children may rely heavily on suggestions. During this designated time for writing, it’s common for tutors to write a list of suggestions or letter samples on a board to help children write. Some children will rely heavily on those suggestions, which can make letters sound scripted or unoriginal.
How to Make Letter Writing Easier for the Child You Sponsor
The sponsor asked me, “So what do I do? I really want to have a better connection with Carlos.” There are a few simple things you can do to support the child you sponsor.
Keep questions brief and numbered: Keep questions simple so the child you sponsor has an easier time remembering the next time they write. For example, “What’s your favorite color?” or “What do you like to eat?” It also helps to number the questions to draw attention to them.
Send photos: Photos are memorable! Sending photos to the child you sponsor can be a great way to build a connection. Even if they don’t have their previous letter with them, they might just remember the photo you sent, making conversation easier.
Write simple messages often: Practice makes perfect when it comes to learning how to communicate via letters. Writing to your sponsored child often helps them experience more of what it’s like. Don’t have time to write full letters? That’s perfectly okay! A simple message like a Bible verse or quick word of encouragement is great too.
Explore our letter-writing ideas and FAQs: Our letter-writing FAQs are a treasure trove of tips and tricks for making letter writing a positive experience for you and the child you sponsor.
Letter writing is so much more than a simple exchange of information. The letters you send mean the world to the child you sponsor. We hope you see letter writing as an opportunity to teach, mentor, celebrate, encourage and pray for a child in need.
