8. Most Important Friends
For many children who do not have a dad or a mom at home, who have not received love and affection, their sponsors are their most important friends. There are many children who share needs or secrets only with their sponsors.
— from Nicaragua
7. Live With Confidence
When sponsor letters tell children that they are the best and God loves them, the children’s self-worth is lifted forever and they live with confidence.
Children gladly share with their friends the information, the stickers, the verses, Christmas/Easter wishes and all the other gifts they receive from sponsors.
Children are also deeply moved by the love expressed for them in these letters. One letter read, “We have hung your photo on the wall and we ask God to bless you every time we see you.”
The children cannot hide their emotions when they receive such messages. They are moved to tears, and they bless God for giving them such wonderful friends to walk closely with through the journey of life. They forget the weary burdens that sometimes pull them down. The children are compelled to keep these letters; they read them time and again.
Optimism and hope are reflected on the faces of children as they read and meditate on the encouraging messages.
— from Kenya
6. Expressing Affection
It is wonderful to see the children’s smiles when they receive letters from their sponsors, as they feel the love and care from people who, without knowing them, express how important and valuable the children are. Most of the children do not receive such affection in their homes from their parents or caregivers.
— from El Salvador
5. Receiving Assurance
One time I went for facilitation, and I saw an appreciation card written by a child to the sponsor and the child kept carrying her sponsor’s letters to school. She said when there is no one near her to encourage her through difficulties, she reads her sponsor’s letter and she feels assured to be a winner.
— from Kenya