Why is it important to write letters?

In the age of email and social media, hand-written letters and printed photographs seem like relics from the past. But after only a few interactions with sponsored children and their parents in India, the value of receiving a personal letter and photograph from their sponsor is paramount. One morning, I was addressing a Chalice Circle Group (CCG) – a group of mothers and caregivers of sponsored children who had gathered for a meeting.  After my brief greeting  I asked if they had any questions for me. One woman spoke up and asked how her sponsor was doing. I had to apologize that I didn’t know her sponsor personally, but remarked that it is summer-time in Canada, so they are probably enjoying the sunshine. I addressed another group that afternoon – again, I asked if they had any questions. One woman requested to please see a photo of all of their sponsors. Again, I had to apologize that I did not have them. A trend was beginning to form. I had the opportunity to have one-to-one video interviews with sponsored children as well as parents of sponsored children. A standard question I ask is “Is there anything you would like to say to the sponsors in North America?” Almost all of them gave a variation on the same answer. They are deeply grateful to their sponsor. They love them. They consider them part of the family and love them like parents. They pray for them always. More than one has said “They are like a god to me”. And all of them said please, please send a photograph so we can visualize the person for whom we feel such love.

This echoes sentiments I have heard from interviewing sponsor children from other countries. When their sponsor writes to them and sends them photos, it makes the child feel loved and like a part of the family. They have said that their sponsor makes them feel more ambitious, because they know that they are supported and they want to be able to show their sponsors their achievements.

So I encourage all Chalice sponsors to write to their child and send photographs. You can write about universal topics – your family/children, sports you like to play, activities at your parish, etc. They love to hear about your life, your family, and your community. Pictures of yourself, family photos, and natural landscapes from your area (postcards are good for this) help to give the child some insight into your life and fuel their imagination. I include here a gentle reminder not to write about, or include photos of, things that highlight the disparity of your economic circumstances.

Sponsors are also able to send small gifts. The “rule of thumb” is any item that can fit in a small padded envelope: Notebooks, pens, hair accessories, stickers, erasers, costume jewelry, rosaries, and bookmarks are all great examples of gifts. Unfortunately, we are not able to send food items, which includes candy and chocolate. We also cannot send cash or checks – if you’d like to send the child special money or birthday money, you can do so online or over the phone.

So dig out your old stationary and start browsing the pictures on your computer, and delight your sponsored child and their family!

— Kate Mosher, Creative Specialist & Photographer at Chalice