Although there are many, many topics to write to your sponsor child about, there is a few things that Compassion would prefer we avoid.
Topics to avoid:
- Elaborating on your material possessions, such as how big your home is, what car you have and how expensive it is, telling your child that you just bought a new TV
- Revealing your personal address
- Suggesting your child should visit you, wherever you live
- Asking what you could buy them as a gift
- Using slag- it makes it difficult for the translators
It is also best not to send photos of your possessions, such as sitting in your car and standing with your house. These would only escalate the differences between you and your sponsor child. Instead, try and find common ground. You may enjoy reading or cooking, and so may your sponsored child. Why not write about these topics instead?
Your sponsor child would be happy to receive any letters from you, regardless if you think what you are writing about is 'boring'. Johana, my 11 yr old sponsor girl, often asks me what the weather is like. Topics such as this are very educational and interesting for those living in other countries and climates. I'm sure children in the Philippines, Mexico or Rwanda would love to read about snow, and why not send some photos of snow on mountains or a nice sunset?
