Easy Ideas for Writing to Your Sponsored Child

A letter is far more than just words on a page. Words can hold great power. Heck, even the shortest of messages can be incredibly impactful. (Did you know the Gettysburg Address was only 272 words?) So don't worry that you need to write a long letter to connect with your sponsored child. Notes of any length help strengthen the bond between the two of you.

Those of us who have had the chance to visit sponsored children in their homes have seen just how much they cherish the letters they get from their sponsors. They may be stored in a special box or displayed on the wall. So rest assured that no matter what words you put into writing, they will hold special meaning for their recipient.

But if you're like many sponsors, you may get stumped about what to write. What topics should you mention? What shouldn't you mention? How can you get started?

No worries! We've got some tips for creating a simple message of hope and encouragement that will not only help your child learn more about you but will give your child something to write about in his or her next letter to you!

It all begins with writing about what you know: You! After all, what could be simpler? Your sponsored child wants to get to know you. So focus on one of the following topics.

• Where you live. Describe the area you call home. Is it in the city? The country? The suburbs? Tell your child about how far you drive to work, how tall the buildings are, the kinds of trees, animals and weather you experience.
• Your family. Who lives with you? Are family members nearby? Do they live in far-off cities? What are their ages? Why are they important to you?
• Your pets. If you have a dog, describe how you like to spend time with him – talking walks, playing catch, teaching him tricks? If you have fish, describe their colors. Horses? Llamas? Birds? Tell your sponsored child what it is about your pets that make them special to you.
• How you spend your day. Do you have a job? Do you volunteer? Do you get up and exercise? Do you take a train to work?

Need more ideas? Talk about:

• Your favorite hobby.
• The most recent holiday you celebrated and the events involved.
• Who your best friend was growing up.
• Your favorite subject in school and why.
• Your favorite type of music.
• What you find fascinating about your sponsored child.

Your letter doesn't have to be long or go into all the details. Just tell your child enough to let them know you are thinking about him or her and that you care.

When you wrap up your note, add a few lines of encouragement. They will mean so much to your child. And be sure to ask your child a question or two. What does he like about school? What is her favorite activity? What does he want to be when he grows up?

For those of us with so much, it can be challenging to understand the day-to-day difficulties of living in poverty. But for a sponsored child, who lives with such hardship, the smallest pleasures – like getting a letter from her sponsor – can provide the encouragement that helps her make it through the day and gives her hope for the future.

So start building that bond today. Write a letter to your sponsored child. We've made it easy. Just log in to "My Account" and look for the "Write My Children" tab. Choose a template, type your message, upload a photo and click send.

Of course, feel free to follow the more traditional path of corresponding, too! Make sure to include the following with your letter before mailing it: your name, your account number, your child's name and his or her ID number. (You'll find that in the upper right-hand corner of the family record.) Feel free to include photos or paper products – such as bookmarks, postcards or stickers. (But don't send toys, jewelry or objects made of metal or wood. We unfortunately can't deliver those types of items.) Send your package to:

Children International
P.O. Box 219055
Kansas City, MO 64121