My Favourite Thing My Sponsor Wrote Me Was…

Eight children and teenagers from Kenya and Ethiopia answered this very question. Read their answers and be inspired by the lasting power of a letter.

01 Feb, 2018

Hidden in a box underneath the bed. Hung up on the wall for all to see. Grasped between the hands of a child as he or she reads and rereads the words on the page.

Children love receiving letters from their sponsors. For many, letters are worth saving. They are worth protecting, remembering and rereading. The empowering words become ingrained into the memory of a child.

When asked, “What’s your favourite part of a letter?” the answer is easy for many of them. Their mind immediately races back to one particular sentence, or phrase or word.

Eight children and teens from Kenya and Ethiopia answered this very question. Read their answers below and be inspired by the lasting power of a letter!

Curious Questions

Many children love knowing that their sponsor is curious about their family, school and culture. The best part is they are just as curious about their sponsor’s life as their sponsor is about theirs!

“I’m happy to read about the new things in his life,” 16-year-old Zinash says about her sponsor. “He also prays for me, my family and my country. He also asks me about my education and my exam results.”

Sixteen-year-old Yeabsera reflects, “I am happy when they ask me about the holidays we celebrate and our country’s situation. They also tell me about their holidays. I love learning new things from them.”

Prayer Warriors

It is critical that children know that they are being prayed for, even from thousands of miles away.

Michelle told us that her sponsor encourages her to work hard. She reassures Michelle that she is praying that God will grant her the opportunity to visit Michelle and her family in Kenya.

Twelve-year-old Ashenafi says, “My favorite thing my sponsor writes me is when he tells me he loves me and he prays for me and my family. He also writes me about their new baby.”

Birthday Wishes

Children notice when sponsors remember important parts of their life — like their birthday!

Joyce’s sponsor recently wrote, “Happy Birthday Joyce, we love you and we are praying for you every day. You are wonderfully made!”

Moses’ sponsor wrote, “You are loved and special to me and more especially to God. Happy birthday!”

Loving Words

For many children, there is nothing more powerful or memorable than being told that they are loved, known and cared for.

Eyerusalem, 18, says, “I am excited to know that they love me and they have posted my picture in their house. They also tell me about their country.”

Michelle remembers these words of her sponsor: “I feel like a proud father who is seeing you grow up so fast, and so beautiful … God has a special plan for you.”

Have you ever thought about the fact that the child you sponsor remembers specific examples of love, encouragement and support that you have showed him or her in a letter?

What you write is not forgotten.

So, go ahead. Write something memorable today!

Write a letter today.

Words by Katy Bennett

Pictures and quotes from Kenya: Isaac Ogila, Field Communications Specialist.

This article originally appeared on the Compassion International blog.