1. How do I write to my sponsored orphan?
Send e-mail messages, digital photographs, and scanned images with your name and that of your sponsored orphan to lettertochild@childrenshope.net. Our staff will translate the letters into your child's language and forward both versions overseas.  CHI representatives will print out your messages and attachments and deliver them to your orphan.

COMING SOON: a Communication Tool will be added to your Personal Page that will allow you to send e-mails and attachments direct through this website.

2. What can I write to my sponsored orphan about?
Children are interested in knowing about you, your family, whether you are married, how many children you have, and so forth.  They are also curious about what type of work you do and your interests.  They love photos; you might send one of you and your family.  Tell them about the area in which you live, the climate, etc.

In countries where it is appropriate, legal, and customary, feel free to mention God's love and blessings and tell the orphan you pray for him or her.  This will bring encouragement and hope to your sponsored orphan. However, in countries where your child's religion differs from your own, please refrain from using evangelistic language or making comparisons between religions. This communication can confuse your sponsored orphan and potentially alienate him or her.  Building a relationship with a child from a different culture is an exciting but delicate process.  To find out if your sponsored orphan's religion differs from yours, please refer to our country profiles.

4. Why does it take so long to receive a letter from my sponsored orphan?
There are several factors that can slow correspondence:

• Considerable time is needed to translate your letter and your orphan's reply. 
• Younger orphans, and those with physical or mental disabilities, may need to wait for assistance from busy staff members to compose a reply.
• Many orphanages are located in remote villages and/or lack internet technology, so relaying information back and forth can be a difficult and lengthy process.

However, if you don't receive a reply within six months of sending a message, please contact us so we can get in touch with our staff overseas and find out why.

5. Can I send packages to my sponsored orphan?
We understand your desire to send packages to your sponsored orphan.  However, CHI does not accept packages for children for the following reasons:

• Complexity of foreign postal regulations
• High duty charges in many foreign countries
• Slow delivery
• Possibility of theft, loss, or damage
• Difficulty in getting packages to children in isolated locations (Many of our overseas staff walk or ride bicycles to get the mail.)
• Possibility of creating tension in the orphanage if one child receives numerous and/or expensive gifts

6. Can I send photographs to my sponsored orphan?
Yes, you can send digital or scanned photographs as attachments to lettertochild@childrenshope.net.  Be sure to include your name and that of your sponsored orphan in the message or subject line.  Your child will enjoy seeing your photographs, however, please refrain from sending images that show overt indicators of wealth: this may make him or her feel resentful or depressed.  Also, due to various cultural differences, please make sure the people in your pictures are dressed modestly.

7. Can I send money to my sponsored orphan?
For numerous reasons, CHI requests you not send money directly to your sponsored orphan.  Our country offices are not equipped to accept money or issue receipts.  Some countries forbid the acceptance of foreign currencies and many postal systems are unreliable so there is no guarantee the country office will receive your gift. You may, however, send additional money for your orphan to CHI's main office in St. Louis.  Please see below for additional information.

8. How can I make an additional monetary donation for my sponsored orphan?

CHI can only allocate gifts of $100 or more to an individual orphan. (unless it is for our birthday and holiday gifts project estimated at $10 per child)  If you wish to send less than $100, your gift will become part of the General Orphan Sponsorship fund, which supports areas of greatest need.

To donate additional funds to CHI, please click on the Donate Now button located in various pages on the website.  In order to ensure that your gift of $100 or more is allocated to direct support of your sponsored orphan, please include your orphan's name and country in the comments or additional information section. 

Once the additional funds for your sponsored orphan are received, CHI will work with caretakers to develop a special project focusing on his or her needs.  These projects often include improvements in living conditions, clothing, or school supplies.  You should receive a report from us within six months detailing the project and how your gift was used.  Due to the cost of implementation, specific projects and reports cannot be developed for gifts of less than $100.

9. Can I teach my sponsored orphan about my religion?
CHI is privileged to participate in God's work in the world. As a guest in each community, CHI abides by the laws of our host country, which may prohibit Christian teaching.  We never provide assistance on the condition that a family or child hears about our faith or participates in religious activities.

When CHI is invited to begin work in a new community where the dominant religion is not Christianity, we let community members know our aim is to be trustworthy friends and partners in breaking the shackles of poverty, and that our vision for their children and communities is fullness of life -- as God in His love intends for them to enjoy.  Over time, they come to understand through the example of our staff what we mean by "fullness of life," and we begin to see the emergence of trust, hope, and mutual caring.  When our staff is asked what they believe and why, we are careful to articulate our faith in language and idiom that make sense to the inquirers.  We often refer those who demonstrate a deep spiritual hunger to local pastors and lay leaders who are trained and gifted in answering their questions and addressing individual needs.

In countries where it is appropriate, legal, and customary, feel free to mention God's love and blessings and tell the orphan you pray for him or her.  This will bring encouragement and hope to your sponsored orphan. However, in countries where your child's religion differs from your own, please refrain from using evangelistic language or making comparisons between religions. This communication can confuse your sponsored orphan and potentially alienate him/her.  Building a relationship with a child from a different culture is an exciting but delicate process.  To find out if your sponsored orphan's religion differs from yours, please refer to our country profiles.  

10. Can I bring my sponsored orphan to the U.S. for a visit?
We appreciate your interest in having your sponsored orphan visit the United States. However, CHI does not permit this for several reasons:

• The safety, privacy, and well-being of the child
• The nervousness or agitation that language barriers can create
• The culture shock experienced by the child
• The child's difficulty in readjusting to his/her own lifestyle

11. Can I visit my sponsored orphan in his/her country?
*Starting in 2007*
In most foreign countries, we can arrange for you to visit and meet your orphan face to face. However, we ask that you contact our office by e-mail or in writing at least six months in advance so we can conduct the necessary background checks and work with our overseas staff to prepare you for your trip.