Working in the contact center, I often hear from compassionate sponsors eager to send packages to their sponsored children. It’s heartwarming to witness such generosity! However, sending physical packages directly isn’t feasible. But don’t worry, there’s an even more impactful way to show your love: sending Family Gifts. Many sponsors are unaware of this wonderful option, which allows you to directly bless your sponsored child and their family financially.
We understand the desire to send a personal package. Choosing a gift and sending it feels like a tangible expression of care. However, due to significant challenges with customs and duty costs, along with the risks of theft or loss, physical packages simply cannot be delivered. In most cases, the shipping and duty fees would actually exceed the value of the gift itself.
Our mail system is designed to handle documents, which pass through customs without fees. Unfortunately, if customs officials were to find items like jewelry within our “document” shipments, entire boxes of letters could be held up, pending customs fees. This would cause unnecessary and lengthy delays in delivering crucial correspondence.
Every day, we receive well-intentioned items that we, unfortunately, cannot ship. Our dedicated correspondence team then undertakes the considerable task of contacting sponsors to arrange for the return of these items or to donate them to local charities. This process is time-consuming and resource-intensive, especially as these undeliverable items accumulate rapidly.
I realize it can be disappointing to learn that sending a physical gift isn’t possible. The thoughtfulness behind selecting a special present is truly meaningful. However, consider this: the funds you would spend on purchasing and shipping items from the U.S. could have a far greater impact when sent directly as a family gift. Your monetary gift not only blesses your sponsored child and their family directly but also contributes to the economic well-being of their local community, rather than stimulating the economy here in the U.S.
Give a Gift
A colorful image showcasing the words “Give a Gift” against a vibrant background, symbolizing the act of sending family gifts to sponsored children and families in need.
Why Family Gifts are a Meaningful Way to Give
The most compelling reason to send a family gift is simple: it profoundly blesses the child and their entire family. These gifts are a powerful way to meet tangible needs and demonstrate your love in a practical way. Family gifts provide opportunities for things like new clothes, essential footwear (perhaps their very first pair of shoes!), or even seed money to launch a small, income-generating business for the family’s long-term stability. The impact of family gifts extends far beyond a simple present.
I experienced this firsthand when I sent a family gift to my sponsored child, Angela, in Bolivia, last fall. I was amazed by how much her family was able to purchase with the $75 I sent. With that single gift, they acquired a blue jean jacket, undergarments, a warm wool poncho, another jacket, a skirt, essential school supplies, shoes for multiple family members, vital food supplies, and even a backpack for Angela’s brother, Jose. It was incredible to see how far that gift went in meeting their diverse needs.
The staff at Angela’s child development center were kind enough to send me a picture of Angela and her family proudly displaying all the items they purchased with the family gift. While letters of acknowledgment are always sent when a gift is received, photos aren’t always included. However, gifts exceeding $60 often qualify for a special photo of the child with their purchased items, offering a heartwarming visual connection to the impact of your generosity.
How to Send a Family Gift to Your Sponsored Child
Sending a family gift is a straightforward process, though it’s helpful to understand the journey your gift takes to reach your sponsored child.
After the monthly accounting close, our finance department compiles a comprehensive list of all gifts received that month. For the majority of countries we serve, these gifts are converted into the local currency and transferred to the Compassion country office’s bank. Depending on the country office’s banking arrangements, the currency exchange may occur at the country office’s bank or the funds may be disbursed in U.S. dollars.
Once the country office receives the funds, a dedicated staff member allocates the family gift money to the appropriate child development centers. Centers may receive funds via check or direct bank transfer. This entire process, from initial gift processing to funds reaching the development center, typically takes two to three months. Your patience is appreciated as these crucial steps ensure the secure and efficient delivery of your gift.
Upon receipt of the family gift funds, the center staff arranges a special meeting with your sponsored child. During this meeting, they joyfully inform the child about your generous gift and engage in a discussion about the child’s and family’s most pressing needs and wishes. This participatory approach ensures the family gift truly addresses their priorities.
The child then formally acknowledges receipt of the gift by signing for it. Following this, accompanied by a staff member, the child visits the local market to purchase the agreed-upon items. This guided shopping experience empowers the child while ensuring wise use of the family gift.
Finally, your sponsored child will write you a letter expressing their gratitude and sharing what they were able to purchase with your thoughtful family gift. Depending on the gift amount and the center’s practices, a picture may also be included, providing a cherished memento of your impactful giving.
If, for any reason, you don’t receive a thank-you letter within six months of sending your family gift, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will promptly reach out to our country office to investigate and provide you with an update.
Christmas Gifts
A heartwarming image of diverse children joyfully holding Christmas gifts, symbolizing the happiness and blessings that family gifts bring to sponsored children during special occasions and throughout the year.
Understanding Your Family Gift Options
When sending a monetary family gift, you have flexible options to choose from. You can send general gifts or birthday gifts in amounts ranging from $10 to $100, with a limit of two such gifts per year. For larger needs and opportunities, you can send a family gift specifically designated as such, in amounts from $25 to $1,000. Family gifts offer greater flexibility in terms of amount and purpose, allowing you to tailor your giving to your heart’s leading.
Birthday gifts are intended specifically to celebrate your sponsored child’s special day. Family gifts, on the other hand, involve the child and their family in deciding together how best to utilize the funds. General gifts can be sent for any occasion or purpose and provide flexibility for the child and family to address their most immediate needs at that time.
Additionally, you have the option to contribute to the Christmas Gift Program on behalf of your sponsored child. A suggested donation of $20 helps provide Christmas blessings to children in need. While other family gifts can be given throughout the year, we kindly request that Christmas Gift Program donations be made by October 31st to ensure timely delivery before Christmas.
Important Considerations When Sending Family Gifts
It’s natural to want to shower your sponsored child with blessings, and family gifts are a wonderful way to do that. However, sending gifts too frequently can inadvertently create unintended consequences.
While a monetary family gift can be incredibly impactful for a family often living on less than $2 a day, it’s important to avoid fostering dependence on these gifts. Therefore, we discourage sending gifts monthly. Consistent monthly gifts can also, unfortunately, lead to jealousy within the community and potentially make your sponsored child and their family more vulnerable within their community. Thoughtful and occasional giving is often more beneficial in the long run.
If you wish to send a gift but can only contribute a smaller amount, like $5, this month, we encourage you to save that amount. Due to the processing costs associated with monetary gifts, we are unable to accept gifts under $10. Consider setting aside your $5 and adding to it the following month to send a more impactful gift.
It’s also natural to want to send a specific item you cherished as a child, like a teddy bear. While you are welcome to suggest potential purchases to your sponsored child, the final decision on how to use the family gift funds rests with the child, or their family if the child is very young. This empowers them to address their most pressing needs and make choices that are best for their situation.
Ultimately, are you required to send family gifts to your sponsored child? Absolutely not. However, do these gifts profoundly bless them and their families? Emphatically, yes! Family gifts are a tangible expression of your love and compassion that can make a lasting difference in their lives.
This post was originally published on August 9, 2010. Information regarding gift guidelines is current.
