Many sponsors feel a deep desire to send a tangible gift to their sponsored child, a heartfelt expression of their care and connection. It’s natural to want to choose a special item, carefully wrap it, and imagine the joy it will bring. However, sending packages directly to sponsored children isn’t feasible due to various logistical challenges. The wonderful news is there’s an even more impactful and efficient way to show your love: sending a monetary Family Gift. This thoughtful alternative not only blesses your sponsored child but also empowers their entire family and community.
Why Choose a Family Gift? The Ripple Effect of Blessing
Sending a family gift is more than just a monetary donation; it’s an investment in a child’s well-being and a direct expression of your compassion. These gifts are deeply impactful because they address the real, pressing needs of the child and their family. Imagine the joy of a child receiving new clothes, perhaps their very first pair of sturdy shoes, or the profound difference a family gift can make in helping a family start a small, income-generating business. These gifts are not simply handouts; they are catalysts for positive change and sustainable improvement in their lives.
To illustrate the incredible reach of a family gift, consider the story of Angela, a sponsored child in Bolivia. When her sponsor sent a $75 family gift, the impact was astounding. Angela and her family were able to purchase a range of essential items, including a warm blue jean jacket, undergarments, a cozy wool poncho, another jacket, a skirt, vital school supplies, shoes for several family members, much-needed food supplies, and even a backpack for Angela’s brother, Jose. This single family gift touched every member of the family and provided for a multitude of their needs. The Compassion center staff was so moved that they sent a picture of Angela and her family proudly displaying their purchases, a testament to the tangible difference these gifts make. While letters of acknowledgment are sent for every gift received, photos like Angela’s are often sent when the impact of a larger family gift is particularly visible. For gifts exceeding $60, sponsors often receive a cherished photo of their sponsored child with the items purchased, creating a lasting memory of the gift’s impact.
Family receiving gifts
How Family Gifts Work: A Simple and Effective Process
You might wonder how your family gift translates into tangible blessings for your sponsored child. The process is designed to be efficient and respectful of local contexts. After the monthly accounting is completed, Compassion’s finance department compiles a list of all gifts given that month. For most countries, these gifts are converted into the local currency and transferred to the Compassion country office. The exchange might occur at the bank level or the funds may be disbursed in U.S. dollars, depending on the country’s specific procedures.
Once the country office receives the funds, they are then distributed to the individual child development centers. Centers receive funds either via check or direct bank transfer. This entire process, from the time you send your family gift to when it reaches the local center, typically takes two to three months.
Upon receipt of the funds, the center staff arranges a meeting with your sponsored child. During this meeting, they joyfully inform the child about your generous family gift. Together, they discuss the child’s and family’s most pressing needs. The child then signs a receipt, acknowledging the gift. Accompanied by a center staff member, the child and, often, a family member, then visit the local market to purchase the identified necessities. Finally, your sponsored child will write you a letter, sharing what they were able to purchase with your thoughtful family gift, and may include a picture, depending on the gift amount and center practices. If you haven’t received a letter within six months of sending your gift, Compassion encourages you to reach out so they can follow up with the country office to provide you with an update.
Exploring Different Types of Monetary Gifts: Tailoring Your Blessings
Compassion offers several options for sending monetary gifts, allowing you to tailor your generosity to specific occasions or needs. Family gifts are just one of these wonderful options.
- Family Gift: Ranging from $25 to $1,000, the family gift empowers the child and their family to jointly decide how to best utilize the funds to meet their most critical needs. This could be anything from household necessities and food supplies to educational materials or even resources for starting a small business.
- Birthday Gift: Specifically designated for your sponsored child’s birthday, these gifts, ranging from $10 to $100 (and limited to two per year), provide a special treat and acknowledge their special day.
- Christmas Gift Program: Donations of any amount, but typically around $20, can be made to the Christmas Gift Program on behalf of your sponsored child. These collective gifts bring festive cheer and essential support during the Christmas season. To ensure delivery by Christmas, Christmas Gift Program donations should be made by October 31st.
- General Gift: Also ranging from $10 to $100 (and limited to two per year), general gifts can be sent at any time and for any reason. The child and family can use these funds to address immediate needs as they arise.
Children receiving Christmas gifts
Important Considerations for Thoughtful Gift-Giving
While the desire to send frequent gifts is understandable, it’s important to consider the long-term impact. Families of sponsored children often live on very limited incomes, sometimes less than $2 a day. A family gift is a significant blessing, but to foster sustainable development and avoid creating dependency, monthly gift-giving is discouraged. Consistent monthly gifts can inadvertently create jealousy within the community and potentially make the sponsored child and their family vulnerable.
Compassion has a minimum gift amount of $10 due to the processing costs associated with monetary gifts. If you wish to send a smaller amount, consider setting it aside and combining it with future funds to reach the $10 minimum. While you are welcome to suggest potential uses for your family gift, the final decision on purchases rests with the sponsored child (or their family, if the child is young). This ensures the gift truly meets their needs and fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment.
Ultimately, sending a family gift is not a requirement of sponsorship, but it is an extraordinary way to tangibly bless your sponsored child and their family. It’s a powerful expression of your love and compassion that makes a real and lasting difference.
