Comments on: My Sisters Are Sponsored. What About Me?

By: Judith Tremblay

Judith Tremblay — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:18:58 +0000

@Patrick Greene – I understand, as I was in that position too.

Thanks so much for contributing as you are able. You might consider giving to the Unsponsored Children’s Fund on occasion; this is the fund that covers the children from the time they are registered until they receive a sponsor, and in between sponsors as needed. But the Where Most Needed fund is great, too, as it allows Compassion to pull from this fund if there is a need beyond what a designated fund is able to cover.

By: Patrick Greene

Patrick Greene — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:01:19 +0000

My heart breaks to think that kids aren’t sponsored. That is why I give to the “where most needed” fund instead of sponsoring. I would hate to start to sponsor someone and have to quit. That would be just awful and terribly unfair to the sponsored child. The reason I don’t sponsor is when I was in college, I sponsored a child and then when I was done with college, I was broke and couldn’t sponsor any longer. I have felt bad about that for years.

By: Kees Boer

Kees Boer — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:03:01 +0000

@Barbara M. –

How do you sponsor the child in Rwanda? Are you saying that the sponsorship organization doesn’t have a system in place for writing to the child and won’t facilitate with it?

Kees

By: Kathy Olson

Kathy Olson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:52:31 +0000

@Barbara M. –
Hi Barbara,
What a shame you can’t write to your little man. I am sure they wouldn’t know what to do or how to go about cashing the postage coupon. Is there not a way through the organization to write to him? I hope so, my greatest joy is writing to the kids, I write once a week to all 7 of them. How sad if you are not able to get to know him. I wish you luck.

By: Kees Boer

Kees Boer — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:10:16 +0000

@Kathy Olson - Hi, Kathy, I know how you feel. It would be difficult for me too, especially after I met them. Kees

By: Barbara M.

Barbara M. — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:38:10 +0000

@Kathy Olson -Kathy, I have a child in Rwanda that I wanted to write to (not connected to Compassion.) These children are so poor they have no money for postage stamps. I tried to no avail to buy Rwandan postage here to send to him. I have not found a way to do it so far. The post office will sell you an international postage coupon which you send to the child and they can cash it in for postage. My child never did this as I don't think he knew how to go about it. Does anyone know how to purchase Rwandan postage here in the U.S? Or, is anyone going to Rwanda that could purchase it there and bring it back? Thank you!

By: Kathy Olson

Kathy Olson — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:23:56 +0000

@Kees Boer –
Thanks Kees, I appreciate your insight. I have years to go, by then hopefully it will sort itself out. I have a feeling I won’t be able to let go by then. It’s only been a year for me and I already feel totally attached. I have been reading lots of your posts and appreciate your experience with this. Thank you!

By: Kees Boer

Kees Boer — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:59:42 +0000

@Kathy Olson – That’s a great question. I think there is a way of sending some sort of International postage to them. I remember some actors requiring that if they lived in England and an American was asking for an autographed picture. Or something like that. It’s been a while, since I had to deal with that. Maybe the child will be able to write you through the Internet. Sometimes there are very cheap Internet cafes around. Realize that there is no translation or guidance though in the letter writing. So, you have to be careful. You might not get a letter from the child, but from the alcoholic uncle asking for money. I’ve even heard of the child showing up at the doorsteps of their former sponsor, asking him/her to take them in. I’m still planning on staying in touch with my children, but I could see writing a letter and explaining that I sponsored them so they can continue making a living themselves. I can’t imagine not staying in touch with them though.

Kees

By: Kathy Olson

Kathy Olson — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:40:09 +0000

I am wondering about this too. I have become very attached to my sponsored children and can't even think about sponsorship ending. I am wondering though if the mother makes about $40 per year to support 6 children and they live in a remote area how would they possibly be able to buy stamps and mail a letter? I would be happy to help them financially but still see the cost to mail a letter to be a deterent in keeping in contact with me. Even if I were to send money how would they cash it? Are they able to open a bank account? This is all a few years away but I am wondering. Kathy @Brianne Mullins -

By: Kathy Olson

Kathy Olson — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:35:51 +0000

@Tanis –
I just received a letter yesterday that also took 4 months from Brazil. My letter to Brazil also took 4 months. I am surprised it takes longer to go to Brazil than letters to Africa. My letters to 3 countries take 45 days to Ghana, about 7 weeks to Tanzania and about 3 months to Kenya. Interesting.

Kathy