When a birthday or family gift is given, Compassion’s normal process is to have a local staff member consult with the family and then purchase and deliver your gift. During this time, however, that process creates additional burdens and dangers for our field staff.
Because of that, we are now encouraging field staff to disburse monetary gifts to an appropriate, verified caregiver (usually a parent or relative). This applies to family gifts and beneficiary gifts, including birthday and final gifts. Families may spend the gift on whatever they consider most important to meet family needs. The caregiver will be notified whether a gift has been designated as a beneficiary gift or family gift. The caregiver will decide the best use of the money, recognizing that sometimes purchasing food or paying rent is in the best interest of a child. In countries where there are fewer restrictions, some staff have been able to purchase and deliver gifts using the normal process. Click here to see what the gift status is for your child’s country.
Thank-you letters will be delayed until children can safely return to their centers, and photos of gifts will not be required during the crisis.