How does communication with my sponsored child work?

How does correspondence with my sponsored child work?

Correspondence with your child is what distinguishes child sponsorship from other forms of aid. Your child will be delighted to hear from you and will cherish your letters. Your words of care and encouragement will make a difference! Please include photos of yourself and your family, because this can strengthen the connection between the two of you.

Writing to your sponsored child can be easy and is always possible through the mail or via your Online Account. Simply visit Manage Account and select My Correspondence to opt-in for eLetters. You can e-write your child via our website and replies will be delivered to you electronically. Using e-letters can cut down on the time it takes for your messages to arrive to your sponsored child and for his reply to return to you. It can also help save money on postage and processing.

When your child writes to you, whether electronically or via the mail, you'll receive the original letter along with a translation if the child's language is not English. If your sponsored child is too young to write, a project worker or family member will help compose the letters.

When you choose to send letters via the mail, please know that mail delivery in these parts of the world can be slow, and it might take several months for you to receive a response from your child. If you write frequently, letters can cross in the mail. Please be patient and know that your child will write back.

Each time you write, please include your full name and your ChildFund Contact ID number on the letter. Your child's address includes their local community name, as well as the postal address of the ChildFund office in his or her country. Your child’s mailing address can be found in My Correspondence within Manage Account. Or contact our Sponsor Care team at 1-800-776-6767 and we can confirm the mailing address for you.

In certain countries, the cost and/or unreliability of postal services requires us to bundle letters and ship them via courier service to the U.S., where they are mailed to you. Please don't be alarmed if you see a U.S. stamp and postmark on your letters.

For the protection of both children and sponsors, ChildFund doesn't allow direct, unmonitored communication between supporters and sponsored children or families without our knowledge.

How will my sponsored child receive the letters I send electronically?

When you send a letter through our system, our in-country staff prints it, reviews it, translates (if necessary) and delivers it to your child on their next trip to the field.

There is still some delay between sending the letter and receiving a response from your child. Your child will see the same information you saw in the preview step before sending the letter, including a photo, if you attached one. 

Will my sponsored child answer all of my letters?

Yes. Your child will respond to all of your correspondence, regardless of whether you use our electronic service or send letters through postal mail. Please remember that if you correspond frequently, your letters may cross in transit. And, if several letters from you arrive at the same time, your child may respond to all of them at once.

By sending your letter through our system we eliminate the postal mail delays to and from your child’s country. However, many sponsored children live in remote areas that are difficult to access at certain times of the year. And, during school holidays children often go to live with their grandparents. They’re unavailable until they return home. Families may also travel long distances in search of temporary, seasonal work. So it may still take up to 2 months for you to receive a reply to your letter.

There are no restrictions on correspondence with your child, but we recommend sending letters (either electronically or through postal mail) no more than once a month.

Can I send gifts to my sponsored child?

Children like to receive special gifts, and you can always enclose small, flat items with your cards and letters. Paper dolls, stickers, coloring or puzzle pages and picture postcards make wonderful gifts. Due to high customs duties and the likelihood of loss, we ask you not to send packages. Please note: If you sponsor a child in Ecuador, they cannot receive any physical gifts and packages.

You can also recognize birthdays, holidays or other special occasions and accomplishments in your child's life with a special monetary gift, which is not done within your direct correspondence with your child but through ChildFund, to ensure your child receives it safely.

There are three ways to send a gift to your sponsored child:

• Through your online sponsorship account
• By including it with your sponsorship donations ― just add your gift on the Sponsorship Reply form attached to your statement
• By calling us at 1-800-776-6767 ― our representatives will be happy to help.

Ideally gifts for special occasions such as birthdays and holidays are sent at least two months in advance, so there is enough time for processing and delivery to ensure your sponsored child receives your gift in time for his or her special day. The best amounts are between $20 and $50.

Please know that your child will receive 100% of the money that you send. We would love for you to include a $3.50 handling fee to help cover delivery, processing, added security and foreign currency fees.

Monetary gifts are distributed once a month to ChildFund's country offices. Our local staff will ensure your gift is delivered to your sponsored child's family in local currency. All gifts will be acknowledged and confirmed with the amount your sponsored child received.

What's an appropriate amount of money to give to my sponsored child?

The best amounts are between $20 and $50. Please give monetary gifts online, through your sponsorship statement, or call us at 1-800-776-6767. We’ll make sure your gift is delivered safely to your sponsored child.

Your sponsored child will receive 100 percent of the gift that you send. Please allow two months for processing and delivery. We would love for you to include $3.50 to help cover delivery, processing, added security and foreign currency fees.

Can I contact my sponsored child by email, phone or social media?

We ask you not to communicate directly with your child or their family, even in the rare cases where there is cell phone access and English language skills are exceptional. ChildFund's child protection policies prevent direct contact between sponsors and sponsored children. You put your child's participation in our programs, as well as your continued ability to sponsor children, at risk by violating these policies.

Our country and project offices aren't equipped at this time to handle direct email to children. We make electronic correspondence easy, though, through our My Correspondence eLetters tool. Simply log on to your Online Account and select My Correspondence to opt in for electronic communications.

E-letters sent via My Correspondence are printed and delivered to your sponsored child. A copy of your child’s reply and any translation required will be electronically posted in your Online Account and we’ll email you when it’s ready to view. 

Can I visit my sponsored child?

Yes, please do! You're always welcome to come to your child's community to see firsthand how much your generosity has accomplished. Children, their families and the entire community love to meet sponsors. ChildFund staff will help you plan your trip and accompany you to your child's community.

To begin planning your visit, call us at our toll-free number, 1-800-776-6767, at least four months in advance of your visit. We'll need to know the number of visitors who are, or will be, 18 years of age or older at the time of your visit. ChildFund's child protection policy requires all adult visitors to undergo a background check before the visit can be approved.

We'll send you the necessary forms, along with a brochure titled Planning a Visit to Your Sponsored Child. The brochure provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about sponsor visits. Once we receive your completed forms, we'll contact the country office regarding your plans.

We want your visit to your sponsored child to be a wonderful and joyous experience. Be prepared for quite a celebration when you arrive!