Sending Postal Mail
Many of our supporters exchange letters with their sponsored children. It's a great way to get to know your sponsored child and they love to hear from their sponsors and treasure the letters and photos they receive.If you're not sure of what to write about, here are some samples to give you an idea:
These simple guidelines will help make the process of communicating with your sponsored child a lot smoother:
• Sending letters and cards
• Advice on correspondence
• Addressing your mail
• Sending gifts
• Reply from your sponsored child
Sending letters and cards
The letters you send usually take a few weeks to reach your sponsored child. However, sometimes it may take longer, up to three months. This is because the postal system may not reach remote villages. World Vision staff deliver all letters personally, which can sometimes mean a long walk or a journey using poor transport. Roads are rough, and when rain comes, many are impassable.
Your letters are normally delivered to the sponsored child's school. Sometimes there can be delays when the school is closed for holidays. At other times, the child's family may have moved out of the area for a time for the harvest season, looking for work in nearby communities.
Our local staff will translate your letters from English, if necessary. Your sponsored child will receive your original card or letter and the translation; and you'll receive both your child's original card or letter and the translation.
Advice on correspondence
Remember not to include your address anywhere in the letter.
A photo of yourself or your family is a great idea. Most non-western cultures are more conservative than ours, so your dress sense should be appropriate to avoid offence.
Please do not make inappropriate references to cultures, religions, politics, money or possessions.
Addressing your mail
Address the envelope to World Vision's address in the country where your sponsored child lives. You'll find this on the back of your sponsored child's photo folder.
On the back of the envelope:
- Write your sponsored child's name and identification number (which you'll find printed on the back of your child's photo card)
At the top of the letter or card, write:
- Your sponsored child's name and identification number
- Your name and supporter number (but not your address)
Sending gifts
You're welcome to send postcards, photographs of yourself or your family, or inexpensive items such as stickers which you can fit into an A5 envelope. Please do not send cash.
Please do not send parcels as they incur customs and delivery duties and other costs that use up valuable funds meant to help other children in need.
Reply from your sponsored child
In remote areas, poverty and lack of a developed postal system often go hand in hand. It may take up to three months to deliver and translate your letter, then get a reply, translate and send it to you.
Children who are very young or slower in developing writing skills will need more help writing letters. Your sponsored child may never have written a letter before, so please be patient about replies.