How to have a great relationship with your sponsored child

Through your monthly sponsorship donation, you are supporting your sponsored child’s individual needs, contributing to the costs of them receiving a great education, regular meals, essential healthcare and, if needed, providing them with a comfortable home and loving parents. This support is essential in giving your sponsored child the best care possible and the unconditional love that they deserve.

But your sponsorship can be so much more than a monthly donation. We want every child to know they have people that love and care about them and a sponsor can make that happen. You can help your child feel loved, special and part of a wider family by communicating with them and sending them gifts. Here’s how:

1. Postal communication 

There’s nothing like receiving something personal in the post. We encourage sponsors to send letters, photos and small gifts that fit into an A5 size envelope to their sponsored child. Large parcels are discouraged due to the high cost of postage, customs issues and fairness to all the children. Just send your postal gift to our England office with all their details enclosed and we will forward it on to your child on a monthly basis. 

2. Email communication 

We would love you to email your sponsored child; it’s quick, easy and cost effective. Please send your email to mychild@standby.me and include your child’s details in the subject line. 

3. Money gifts 

Sometimes it’s difficult to find a gift that will fit in an A5 envelope. So we have a great solution – send them some money. There are two ways to do this; call us on 01708 442271 to make a card payment or you can send a cheque to our England office (made payable to Stand by Me) making it clear on the covering note what the cheque is for. We will transfer the money and our overseas staff will then purchase a present on your behalf, buying something that your sponsored child wants or needs. We suggest an amount between £5 and £20. If you want to give more than £20 we will use the extra to provide gifts for children who do not have a sponsor.

And the best thing about sending a letter, email or gift for your sponsored child - they will send you a reply! As you write and receive communication from your child you build a personal relationship with them. You get to know their interests, hopes and dreams and they feel loved by you!

For all communication please include the following information:

• Your Name
• Child’s Name
• Child’s ID number
• Programme Name

Please allow up to 12 weeks for a response by post and up to 4 weeks for a response by email. If you have any questions about communicating with your child, please get in touch on 01708 442271 or email hi@standby.me.