get your sponsorship off to a meaningful start

You did it. You signed up to be a sponsor. Your monthly donations are making an immediate — and lasting — impact in the life of a child living in poverty. What should you do now?

Here are the first five things all sponsors should do to create a stronger connection with your child and to learn more about the amazing work you’re doing:

1. Create your MyCI account.

MyCI is your sponsorship home base. It’s where you go to manage your account, learn about your child, and connect with other sponsors. Here are a few of the many things you can do at MyCI:

As a new sponsor, you should have received an email with a link to create your MyCI account. No worries if it got lost in your inbox, though. You can always head over to the MyCI login page, go to the “Create account” tab and sign up with your account number (included in your sponsorship welcome packet) and last name.

2. Get to know your sponsored child and their family.

Keep your eyes on the mailbox because something really special is about to show up: your sponsor welcome package.

This little envelope is packed with some very important information. You’ll get a photo of your sponsored child and a biography detailing what life is like for them at home and school. You’ll learn more about the challenges facing your child’s community and how your support is specifically helping in that area.

Your package will include a quick-start guide to help you set up that MyCI account (if you haven’t already) and write your first digital letter to your child.

Veteran sponsor tip: Use your welcome folder to store letters and photos of your child, along with your sponsorship details, like your account number.

4. Write a digital letter to your child.

If you haven’t already guessed, corresponding with your child is one of the best parts of sponsorship. Your financial contributions mean a lot to your sponsored child and their family, but so does your interest in their lives. Living in poverty is stressful. It might seem obvious — or even too simple — but a few kind words from a sponsor can give a child hope right when they need it.

After your message is reviewed and (if necessary) translated, it will be sent digitally to your child’s local office. Staff will work hard to get the message to your child. When possible, your child’s message back to you will be transcribed and sent digitally as well. You’ll get a notification in your MyCI account when you receive a message.

5. Call us!

Our Care Team loves speaking with sponsors. Many of them are sponsors themselves, many have traveled to the field, and some even grew up in the countries where Children International works. The Care Team gives each new sponsor a welcome call — your phone should be ringing soon! But you don’t have to wait if you have questions you’d like to talk about now. We have both Spanish and English speakers on the team, and they are standing by to answer your call. You’ll talk to a real human, right away.

Just pick up the phone Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CT): 800-888-3089 (toll-free in the U.S.) or 816-942-2000 (in Kansas City or outside the U.S.)

You can also reach us on chat (again, you’ll be corresponding with a real person, not a bot).

That’s it! Do these first five things, and your sponsorship will be off to a strong start. And make sure to take a little time to celebrate the difference you are making in the life of one very special child.