And now...
From our staff in Colombia
- You are an example of the goals that the child is now able to dream of.
- Behind each letter you receive there is always a hopeful child waiting for a word of encouragement.
Ruth, Sponsor
- When you sponsor a child, writing letters consistently is important! It will take some time (possibly a year or two) to establish a good “flow of conversation” between you and your child.
- 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 child writes to you.
From our staff in Honduras
- 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 express by writing. This is why sometimes you may find some letters repetitive or shallow.
- 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.
Edwin Estioko, Compassion Philippines
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.
Dave Olson, former Compassion employee of more than 40 years
Your child is helped through a local partner church — not a community center. The child comes to the church center, and is ministered to by the church-based staff. Your child is known by name.
Bob Cleary, Senior Director of Product Marketing
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.
Becky, Sponsor
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 your child’s life. Be okay with letting it be exactly what God wants it to be.
Joe Cammaroto, Manager of Production
- 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.
- Write to your child often. Short frequent letters are better than yearly updates. And keep in mind it may take several months to receive a response due to shipping, customs, translation, etc.
Carl Holmes, Senior Sponsor and Donor Relations Associate
We work only in countries with stable governments, where we can take a long-term approach to child development. I get lots of questions about why we aren’t in China, or in Iraq, or Sudan, etc.
Kees Boer, Sponsor
The two things that are far more important than your financial commitment to sponsoring a child are your prayers and your letters. The children look at child sponsorship as a relationship. When they don’t get letters and they regularly write letters to them, it gets very discouraging. They want to know you.
Susan Sayler, Supervisor of Sponsor Donor Services
The interaction, guidance, prayer and support of loving, caring adults in the lives of children is core to our sponsorship program. For this reason, we make sure that every child has at least one adult at the student center who is assigned to get to know and guide him or her.
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.
Matthew Kruger, Business Support Specialist
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 your child, getting that information to you as quickly as possible is our goal.
Jennifer, Sponsor
Just remember that [your sponsored children] are going to read your letters again and again, like you do theirs. They will notice recurring themes. I tell my 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 can do great things. Then he asked me to keep writing him.
From our staff in Guatemala
- In Guatemala, we don`t provide formal education to our registered children. What we do is to reinforce math and Spanish grammar, and we teach the topics included in the Compassion Development Curriculum.
- 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.
- 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 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.
Catherine, Sponsor
- 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.
- Be transparent and bold. Your sponsored child wants to know you. Share your prayer requests. Guide that child. Coach him or her just as you would your own child.
Chris Giovagnoni, Web Designer
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, not to hinder or interfere with your relationship but as protection for both you and the child you're sponsoring. Direct communication can develop into potentially problematic situations – for you, the child and us.
One example of a problem that can occur is when a family member demands money from the sponsor to guarantee the safety of the child.
Before a child is registered in our program, the children 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.
Your Impact Begins Today: Answer the Call to Sponsor a Child
Now that you've taken a glimpse into the transformative journey of child sponsorship, it's your turn to step in and make a difference. From providing essential needs to nurturing dreams, your sponsorship can change a child's life forever. Every child is unique, every story is different, but they all have one thing in common - a yearning for hope and love.
You've heard the heartfelt experiences of our team members and sponsors. They’ve shared their wisdom and insights, expressing the profound impact that your letters and support can have on a child's life. This collective wisdom is your guide as you step into the incredible journey of child sponsorship.
Remember, your role goes beyond the crucial financial support. It's about your prayers, your words of encouragement and your unwavering belief in a child's potential. As a sponsor, you're not just a benefactor; you become a beacon of hope, an inspiration, and an example to a child striving to overcome poverty.
If you're ready to answer the call to make a difference, there's a child out there waiting for you. Embark on this transformative journey today and help shape a brighter future for a child. Remember, the impact you make goes far beyond today; it resonates into eternity. Take action now. Sponsor a child today, and witness the incredible transformation that comes from your act of love and compassion. Learn more about how child sponsorship helps.