UPDATE: Since the publication of this post, letter-writing guidelines have changed and as a result you may not be able to send some of these items through Compassion’s correspondence system. Before you send your letter, please review our letter-writing FAQ.
One of the questions I am asked most from new sponsors is: “What can I mail to my sponsor child?”
If your love language is gifts, this is a hard one for you because you want to be able to send material items along with your letters to show the child you sponsor that you love them.
Today, I am going to share with you five things you can mail with your next letter as a sponsor a child gift:
1. Photographs
Your sponsor child is just as curious about you as you are about them. The kids in Mexico and Colombia that I have had a chance to meet tell me they love receiving photographs of their sponsors. So don’t be shy, get in front of the camera. Take a picture with your family doing something you love together, print that photo and send it along with your next letter.
2. Stickers
I don’t care how old you are, there is something about stickers that can brighten your day. There are so many varieties of stickers. Read one of your old letters to find out what your sponsor child or teen likes. Lina, who we sponsor in Colombia, wants to be a veterinarian one day, so I found stickers of dogs for her, which I know she will love.
3. Postcards
Out on a day trip with your family? Pick up a postcard or two from that area. Not only will this make a nice addition to send along with your next letter, you now have something to write about. He or she wants to know how you spend your days. Tell them about all that you saw and experienced.
4. Paper crafts
Our favorite gift for sponsored children is a thoughtful paper craft. Pinterest is filled with so many ideas that you can create something meaningful to send to your sponsored child. Lina has a birthday coming up soon, so I found a birthday card idea on our Birthday Card Ideas board. Just a little washi tape and a piece of cardstock, homemade birthday card in no time!
5. Letters with words of encouragement
No matter how many times we repeat this, we can’t say it often enough. Your letters mean more to the children you sponsor than any physical thing you can send. The kids keep these letters for years and refer to them often. They read them more times than we can ever know.
We would love to see what you are sending in your #compassionletter! Post a photo on Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter, describe what you mailed, and tag your post with #CompassionLetter. We would love to share what you are mailing with other sponsors.
How Much Does it Cost to Sponsor a Child?
Child sponsorship programs are an affordable and impactful way to make a difference in a child’s life. The cost of sponsorship through Compassion International is $43 per month, a small amount that can significantly alter the trajectory of a child’s life. This monthly contribution ensures that the child receives essential benefits such as educational support, medical care, nutritious food, and access to safe water.
By choosing to sponsor a child, you’re not just giving aid; you’re investing in a child’s potential and helping to break the cycle of poverty. Join us as we work to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name and witness the transformation your support can bring to a child’s life.
Begin Your Child Sponsorship Journey
As always, join our Second Friday Letter Writing Club collaborative board on Pinterest to share you letter-writing ideas and get ideas from other sponsors. Be sure to follow us on Pinterest and then send an email to compassionpinterest@gmail.com so we can add you as a contributor to the group board.