Why am I Not Receiving Letters from My Child?
"My sponsored child has not written to me. Does he/she know that I exist?"
"I have sent a letter, but why isn't there any reply?"
It's not a matter of luck that a sponsor gets a reply, but it is about how the sponsor tries to start a conversation, so that children who had little chance to contact the outside world would know how to communicate with others. In the 5th issue of "Discovery Sponsorship Journey", we have invited three sponsors who have been keeping close contact with their sponsored children to share some of the heart-warming exchanges they have had with their sponsored children. We will also explain why sometimes the letters may not be handwritten by the children themselves.
Will the sponsored children respond to the letter?
Having sent a letter but not received any reply, I was worried and sad, but all of a sudden a letter from the sponsored child pops up in the mailbox. Can you imagine how heart-warming this could be?
Joyce is a child from Hong Kong and her mother is a sponsor. When she sends a letter to her sponsored child, she includes a family photo every time. However, Kelly, a Zimbabwean boy she sponsors, would never comment on the photos in his replies. But one time, Kelly mentioned that he had noticed Joyce growing up in the photos. Joyce's mother was so touched and said, "It turns out that Kelly has been paying attention to the letters I wrote to him all along, and he even cares about Joyce!"
Our sponsor Kitty knew that it was not easy to go from to visit Elita in Africa. Yet Kitty was touched when she found out from Elita's letter that the child wanted to meet her. "The child has a very simple wish, she just wants to meet with someone who cares about her. I don't know if I can fulfill her wish, but I hope she really knows that there is someone from afar who thinks of her." Do you share the same thought as Kitty?
Our sponsor Carol has received a variety of letters from her sponsored children. Some of them did not write much, while others, like Thi Anh Thuy, would always write long replies and include their own drawings. Carol said, "I feel very happy and moved when I read her letters. I am happy because I can share everything with her. I don't mean money or material things, but moments of my life. And I am moved because we can keep each other company on our journey of life."
A quick reminder: Corresponding with your sponsored child is like making a new friend. Your company on their journeys of growth through letters also helps broaden their horizons. Meanwhile, you can learn more about your child through his/her drawings or writing in the letters. (Further reading: Tips for writing letters to children (available in Chinese only))
Do sponsored children write letters themselves?
If a child is too young to write, parents or local staff will write for the child, putting down what the child says. You might see simple drawings, handprints, alphabets, or basic arithmetic drawn by your child.
When children are able to write themselves, it is usually written in their native language and translated into English by local staff. If necessary, Hong Kong staff or volunteers can translate the English into Chinese. (Click here to register as a volunteer)
This was the first letter Joyce's mother received when she became a sponsor over 10 years ago. Joyce's mother keeps every letter sent by her sponsored children.
When Kitty started her sponsorship, Bolordene was only 4 years old. So all the letters and New Year's cards Kitty received in the first few years were written by the child's mother, sometimes with drawings by the child. Kitty said, "I was so happy when my child was able to write to me by herself, I was delighted because I witnessed her growth. She even asked me to write her more often!"
A quick reminder: Translation of letters takes time, and since most children live in remote areas, it usually takes three to four months for letters to reach the sponsors. If you have not received a reply or have any questions about correspondence with your sponsored child, please contact us. (Further reading: How are letters delivered to children? (available in Chinese only))
Sponsors are encouraged to communicate with their children, share about moments in life, and express care for each other. Communication not only opens a window for children to see the outside world and get to know more about their sponsors; it also allows us to enter the children's world to understand their lives better, and learn more about how to walk with them.
If there are any questions about sponsorship, or other topics that you would like us to cover, please send us an email at [email protected] to "Discovery Sponsorship Journey". Your questions may become the topic of our upcoming issue!
