How to Say Goodbye to Your Sponsored Child if You Have to Cancel Your Sponsorship

We understand that circumstances change, and child sponsorship may not be financially possible in different seasons. Here are some helpful tips on how to say goodbye in a final letter to your sponsored child if you need to cancel your sponsorship.

08 Aug, 2019

We know how much it can hurt to cancel your child sponsorship, so we want to make the process easier for you and your sponsored child in this difficult time.

Before you officially cancel your sponsorship and say goodbye, we encourage you to see if someone you know is willing to continue the sponsorship. Do know someone at church who has been considering child sponsorship, or do you have a friend who may be able to support your sponsored child? If so, please let us know!

Here are the steps we suggest you take when it’s time to say goodbye. Even though this might feel like the end of a relationship, we’d like you to remember the incredible difference you’ve made. We’re so grateful for your support.

1. Write a Final Letter

Goodbyes are never easy, so take some time to think about the final letter you send to your sponsored child. In this letter you can:

• Let them know that you’re unable to continue being their sponsor
• Tell them it’s not their fault
• Give a word of encouragement
• Write a prayer
• Include a bible verse

For example, you could write something like this:

Hello [name],

It’s with sadness I must let you know I am no longer able to be your sponsor. This is not your fault, and I want you to know that I’ve loved sponsoring you. I still love you very much and am so proud of your achievements. I encourage you to continue to work hard in your studies and put in your best effort at all you do. You are so valuable and precious, and I will miss being your sponsor. I will continue to pray that you and your family stay safe, that God continues to provide for your needs and that God blesses you.

Hold this bible verse near to your heart: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

Much love and blessings,

[Your name]

2. Give Spiritual Support

Just because you’re no longer financially sponsoring a child anymore doesn’t mean that you can’t keep the photo on your fridge or stop praying. Please continue to uplift your former sponsored child in prayer as you normally would and express this in your final letter!

3. Become a correspondent

Compassion has generous donors and businesses who sponsor many children but are unable to write to them. We are always looking for supporters to be correspondents and write to these children! Please contact us if you’d like to become a correspondent and speak words of hope and encouragement into a child’s life.

Be assured your sponsored child does not leave the program because your financial support has ended. When a sponsored child loses their sponsor, we try to find another person willing to take on the support of that child. During this time, the child continues to receive all of the benefits of the program, except sponsor letters, birthday and family gifts. (The child development centre they attend may receive extra support through the Unsponsored Children Fund to care for them.)

We want to say thank you so much for the support you’ve given as a Compassion sponsor. Your letters, prayers and contributions have made a lasting impact. Please continue to keep the volunteers, staff and children in Compassion’s programs in your prayers—your spiritual support is so appreciated!

Photos by Galia Oropeza, Nora Diaz Words by Ellyse McCallum