Sponsorship Matters

It's so hard for us to communicate to people who haven't visited the orphanage how important letters and sponsorship are. Each child receives it differently. Some are shy but enamored. Some are slow to trust but learn over time. Some are eagerly waiting for a sponsor. Some write beautiful letters. Some children are around only a short time, others are around for the long haul. One little guy, Sergey, is a big fan of his sponsor John.



Sergey has never met John, but they have been linked since sponsorship began in 2007. This year, on our very first evening, Sergey asked me enthusiastically "Do you know John?" I do, and I shared some about his interests and how we think he's a great guy. Sergey asked if he was ever coming to visit, but understood that it is difficult. He shared that he loves getting letters and photos and stated confidently "We've been friends for a long time."

For a boy living in an institution with no family, his sponsor has become Uncle John. Through consistent communication and simple, kind words, Sergey has learned over the last 3 years that he is loved and valued, even from half a world away.

With so many new children at the orphanage, we have 24 children waiting for sponsorship. The first question the new director asked us was how we can get more sponsors. Please, if you are interested in sponsoring at all, send me a note and I'll give you more information. We'll be featuring a child for sponsorship each month, so tell your friends!