I think this other blog post about gift giving might be useful to read. I understand the desire to send regular family gifts, but based upon what this other post recommends, if regular gifts are monthly gifts than that isn’t such a good idea as it creates dependency. However, if you mean regular as in an annual Christmas gift for the family or a family gift twice a year, then that is much less likely create huge expectations and dependency If you have any specific sponsorship questions that other sponsors might be great at helping you navigate, then I recommend you join ourcompassion.org, which is a network connecting sponsors who are passionate about helping their children.

http://blog.compassion.com/give-a-gift-to-your-sponsored-child-how-what-why/

Please check Compassion’s website for guidelines on giving gifts. I believe the current maximum per year is $1,000, including family, birthday and other gifts, but I really could be wrong. You might also look at the guidelines for what we can send in letters or cards; but for regular letter-writing, the wonderful new tools on the website are best–and quickest.

One word of caution about sending regular money gifts: Compassion is not about creating dependency, as in giving a man a fish, but about guiding, discipling, teaching the children so that they learn to fish. A friend of mine learned that she had created a dependency in a child’s family when she sent a letter without a gift; the parents decided they weren’t getting enough from the program and pulled their child out.

But I understand and appreciate your desire to help lift this child and her family out of dire poverty. Your prayers, letters, occasional gifts, and much encouragement will mean so much. God bless you, Nahid, and your relationship as it grows!

Have you called the Call Center and asked them to send a “field note,” inquiring as to the girl’s status and the lack of correspondence from her? If you have not, please do it tomorrow. Call 800-336-7676. You have a right to know, and Compassion needs to be alerted about this situation, so you can find out. They will get the answers you need. Just be patient a bit longer, after you have talked to them; sometimes it can take several weeks for them to get an answer back from the field. So much depends on the distance between the country office and the project the child is in.

Bless you for sponsoring your five children! You are making a big difference in their lives!