Your letters will make a huge difference in Alan's life. Through the messages you exchange, you and Alan will learn more about each other's lives, families and how you can pray for each other.
The words you write will be treasured for years to come. Each letter is lovingly stowed away in a box, tucked inside a Bible or pinned to the wall, ready to be read over and over until the paper wears thin.
Your first letter introductory from Alan has arrived!
After you've read Alan's letter why not take a moment to send a message back to Alan and introduce yourself?
When you write to your sponsored child don't be afraid to keep it simple. Tell them about your daily life, what your hobbies are, what you do for work. Help them get to know you a little better, and ask them about their life, too. You can also share a favourite Bible verse or a simple Bible story. Encourage them in their school work and let them know that you're praying for them.
We've also put together a list of 10 helpful letter-writing ideas to help you overcome writers block.
Letter writing tipsSo we can introduce children to their sponsors as quickly as possible, many introductory letters are written by the children before they know who their sponsor will be. As you exchange messages with your sponsored child, we hope you'll get to know each other better.
You'll receive at least two letters a year. Please be patient as you wait to hear back from Alan. It can take up to six weeks for your letter to reach your child, and it can take slightly longer for their letter to arrive back in the UK.
When you receive a new letter, you'll receive an email or app notification. All your letters are saved in your myCompassion account or in the app for you to look back on.
Learn more about the journey of your letter in this short film.
My sponsor’s letters reinforce our friendship like cement to a building. I have been touched by his encouraging words to do well in my studies. It warmed my heart and changed my mind about the future.
14-year-old Edwigne, Burkina Faso
I keep them [my letters] in a shoebox that my aunt helped me decorate. My sponsor’s letters are a demonstration of love. Their words make me feel special.
9-year-old Kimberly, El Salvador
When I get sad, I read the letters that my sponsors send me. [The letters] fill me with love; it is a light I find.
16-year-old Yair, Mexico
My sponsor’s name is Hannah. [In her letters] she told me that she rides a bicycle, and she likes going to church. I would like to hear more about my sponsor’s life, and I would like to know if she and her family are doing well. I want to tell my sponsor that I love her.
13-year-old Eden , Ethiopia
We’re delighted you’re part of our new digital welcome to Compassion. This is new for us and we need your suggestions to help us learn and develop the experience for all our sponsors.
If you have a question or an idea, please contact our team at your.suggestions@compassionuk.org
Yes, you can send physical letters and gifts to the child you sponsor, and children love receiving them! But, some guidelines are in place to ensure your gift or letter arrives with the child you sponsor. You can send flat paper gifts, no larger than A4 in size, with your letters.
For tips and ideas of items you can include, please click here.
If you have further questions, please get in touch with our friendly team at 01932 836490 or by email at info@compassionuk.org.
You’ll receive an introductory letter from the child you sponsor when you become a Compassion sponsor. Many children complete these first letters while they wait for a sponsor like you. This allows us to send their message to you as quickly as possible.
If an introductory letter isn’t already available when you sign up to sponsor, it may take a little longer for your sponsored child’s first letter to reach you.
There’s no need to wait to receive a letter, you can write and introduce yourself today. The child you sponsor will be excited to know more about you and they’d love to have a photograph of you too.
Our friendly Supporter Experience Team are ready to help with any questions you might have.
01932 836490 - Lines are open from 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
Please leave a voicemail if you call outside these hours and we’ll get in touch as soon as we can.
Compassion UK Christian Child Development, registered charity in England and Wales (1077216) and Scotland (SC045059). A company limited by guarantee, Registered in England and Wales company number 03719092. Registered address: Compassion House, Barley Way, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 2UT.
