Child sponsorship gives you a glimpse into the life of a child in need. We encourage you to build an enriching friendship with your sponsored child by: - Writing Letters
- Sending cards/small gifts
- Participating in sponsors visits
1. Writing letters
Get to know your sponsored child better! DO:
- Share general information about your family, hobbies, country etc.
DON’T:
- Write about sensitive issues such as religion and politics.
- Include your personal contact details such as address and telephone number. This is to avoid situations where the child’s family pressures you for additional funds.
More about what you can do: 
2. Sending cards/small gifts
Your friendship is the most precious gift to your sponsored child. However, if you would like to send a gift: DO:
- Ensure your gift is culturally sensitive and inexpensive (to avoid rousing other children's envy).
- Give gifts that can be shared among friends
- Choose gifts that are light and small enough to fit in a A4 (full page) envelope. Gifts are often hand-delivered to the child in remote places that are sometimes only accessible on foot.
DON’T:
- Please do not send cash/cheques directly to the child.
- One child receiving additional funds whilst the rest of the community remains poor gives rise to friction and tension.
- World Vision will channel money received to the community development project to benefit the community as a whole.
More about what you can do: 3. Participating in sponsors visits
Every year, we organise sponsors visits to different projects. In 2008, we visited Prai Burng, Thailand, Hebei, China and Kangayam, India. While this year, we visited Kapur Thailand. Sponsors visit gives you a chance to meet your sponsored child and see for yourself the impact you are making in his/her life! Click here to read stories from child sponsors' visits. GUIDE ON SENDING LETTERS/GIFTS Where should I send my letters/gifts? 1. Correspondence in English should be sent to the World Vision office in your sponsored child’s country. 2. Correspondence in Chinese/Malay should be sent to World Vision Malaysia . We will translate your letter and forward it to the respective national offices. This is unless your sponsored child is from China – in which case, you can send your letter in Chinese directly to World Vision China. The World Vision national office staff will: - Translate your letter
- Deliver it as most of the children live in far-flung communities that do not have postal services
- Ensure content is appropriate - to prevent people with undesirable intentions from taking advantage of the child, and ensuring the sponsor is not pressured for additional funds
A step-by-step guide to sending letters/gifts. Step 1: On the top of the letter, write: - Your name and sponsor identification number (known as Sponsor ID).
- Your sponsored child’s name and identification number (known as Child ID)
Please do not include your personal contact details such as address and telephone number.
Step 2: Always use an envelope, even when sending a postcard. Step 3: Address the envelope to the World Vision office in your sponsored child’s country. Step 4: On the back of the envelope, write your sponsored child’s name and Child ID. Step 5: Affix the appropriate overseas postage to ensure that your letter/gift reaches its destination. How long will it take for my sponsored child to respond? It may take two to three months before you receive a response from your sponsored child. This is because time is needed for translation and delivery. We ask for your patience and understanding. | 
