Many of our supporters exchange letters with their sponsored children. It's a great way to get to know your sponsored child and they love to hear from their sponsors and treasure the letters and photos they receive.

If you're not sure of what to write about, here are some samples to give you an idea:

• If you haven't written to your child before
• If you've written to your child before
• Other things you could write about

• Sending letters and cards
• Advice on correspondence
• Addressing your mail
• Sending gifts
• Reply from your sponsored child

Sending letters and cards

The letters you send usually take a few weeks to reach your sponsored child. However, sometimes it may take longer, up to six months. This is because the postal system may not reach remote villages or slum areas. World Vision staff deliver all letters personally, which can sometimes mean a long walk or a journey using poor transport. Roads are rough, and when rain comes, many are impassable.

Your letters are normally delivered to the sponsored child's school. Sometimes there can be delays when the school is on holidays. At other times, the child's family may have moved out of the area for a time for the harvest season, looking for work in nearby communities.

Our local staff will translate your letters from English, if necessary. Your sponsored child will receive your original card or letter and the translation; and you'll receive both your child's original card and the translation.

Postcards are a great option, because they are shorter, so translation costs less; or you could send an e-letter to your sponsored child.

Advice on correspondence

Remember not to include your address anywhere in the letter, except on the back of the envelope. Do not send aerograms as your address appears in the middle of the letter. In very poor communities, your address could be used for unsolicited approaches for money or other requests.

A photo of yourself or your family is a great idea. Most non-western cultures are more conservative than ours, so your dress sense should be appropriate to avoid offence.

Please do not make inappropriate references to cultures, religions, politics, money or possessions.

Addressing your mail

Address the envelope to World Vision's address in the country where your sponsored child lives. You'll find this inside your sponsored child's photo folder.

On the back of the envelope:

• On the flap, write your name and address
• Below the flap, write your sponsored child's name and identification number (inside your child's photo card).

At the top of the letter or card, write:

• Your sponsored child's name and identification number
• Your name and supporter number (but not your address).

Sending gifts

You're welcome to send postcards, photographs of yourself or your family, or inexpensive items such as stickers which you can fit into an envelope. Please do not send cash.

Please do not send parcels as they incur customs and delivery duties and other costs that use up valuable funds meant to help other children in need.

Reply from your sponsored child

In remote areas, poverty and lack of a developed postal system often go hand in hand. It may take three to six months to deliver and translate your letter, then get a reply, translate and send it to you.

Children who are very young or slow in developing writing skills will need more help writing letters. Your sponsored child may never have written a letter before. So please be patient about replies.