Writing Letters to Sponsored Students

Letter writing - perhaps an old fashioned art that is more nostalgic of a simpler time than is practical. However, when it comes to interacting with your sponsored student, it is one of the most valuable gifts you could give. These students crave communication from their sponsors. To them, their sponsor represents happiness, hope, and most importantly love. To know that someone very far away from them loves them enough to support their education is wonderful, but to receive confirmation of that by a letter written by that very person is priceless! 

But what should I say? ANYTHING! It can be long or just a few lines asking about how they're doing and reminding them that they are special. 

​-Talk about your family or pets
-Talk about the city you live in
-Discuss recent important events in your life
-Explain special holidays/ family traditions
-Remind them of God's love for them and ask how you can pray for them and ask them to pray for you in return
-Explain how they are incorporated in your daily life (pictures hung up with family photos, in their nightly prayers, etc.)
-Talk about your hobbies/talents
-Ask them simple things like "what's your favorite animal/color/food?" and be sure to include your answer as well!

It may seem intimidating to think about writing to a child you've never met, don't personally know, and who may not understand everything about your culture. Nonetheless, this child appreciates every word and there are many people around who can help translate if the child is very young. Oftentimes, you will notice (especially with older students) that whatever you write to them gets mentioned back when they return with a letter. For instance, you might mention your dog Max and your sponsored student will frequently ask about how Max is doing. Getting to know you helps them stay connected to the blessing that is a sponsored education and reminds them that though they may face many hardships in their daily life, often fueled by poverty, they are no less important and worth the time to put pen to paper and share your love. ​