The Godparent Letter
You can stay in touch with your sponsored child by sending regular letters. How often you write is entirely up to you. But of course, your sponsored child is always happy to receive mail. Letters are a wonderful way to build a personal relationship and share in your sponsored child’s life. Why not give it a try?
What can I write?
Children love stories. Tell them about the little things in everyday life, about your own family, your children and grandchildren, your free time, your travel experiences, or your plans and dreams.
Be sure to use language appropriate for the child’s age. Simple, clear questions make it easier for your sponsored child to respond. Choose positive wording, and encourage and motivate your sponsored child. And feel free to get creative: Letters written on cheerful patterned paper, along with included photos, stickers, or postcards, are especially well-received.
Address and Postage
All correspondence is handled through the office of our local partner organization in the project country. This is the only way we can ensure that the personal data of sponsors and sponsored children remains protected. In addition, many families do not have their own mailing address and cannot afford postage. You can find the address of the relevant partner office on the front of your sponsorship passport. Please make sure your letters are properly stamped. You can find the current postage rates for international mail at your local post office or at portokalkulator.de.
Delivery Times for Letters
Even if you can hardly wait to hear from your sponsored child, please be patient. It may take several weeks for their letter to reach you—and vice versa. This is especially true for remote locations that our partner organizations do not visit weekly. If delivery takes an unusually long time, please feel free to contact us.
Translation
Please write in English or in the respective local language. There are now helpful and easy-to-use online translation tools you can use for this purpose. We recommend, for example, the DeepL translation service.
Häufig gefragt
What does ChildFund Germany stand for, and what is the goal of its work?
Our goal is to bring about lasting improvements in the future prospects of children in need, their families, and their entire communities. Through our commitment to these children and families, we aim to make a positive difference and create lasting improvements, always guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This enables them to exercise their rights, overcome poverty and dependency, and lead independent and self-determined lives.
How can I be sure that my donation actually reaches its destination?
The efficient use of the donations entrusted to us is our top priority. To ensure that our aid is used in a highly targeted manner, we rely on close collaboration with local partner organizations in all the countries where we operate, so that our assistance meets the specific needs on the ground. Furthermore, all our support is guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This ensures that the people in our projects benefit from long-term and lasting changes and, in the long run, no longer depend on aid but can live independently and self-determinedly. Our transparent and responsible handling of donations is also confirmed by the DZI Donation Seal, which we have been awarded continuously since 1995 by the German Central Institute for Social Issues.
How does ChildFund Germany work?
Our work is made possible by three sources of funding: sponsorships, other donations, and public funds. Our projects funded by sponsorships are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.
The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.
In all projects, ChildFund plays two specific roles: First, raising funds so that the project work can be implemented at all. And second, bringing together and building bridges between those who provide money and expertise and those who lack these resources. The goal is to maximize mutual benefit from the collaboration and to advance our projects in the most effective way possible.
What kinds of projects does ChildFund Germany carry out?
Our projects, which are funded through sponsorships, are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.
The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.
What regions and issues does ChildFund Germany focus on?
We operate in various countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Our work focuses primarily on education, nutrition, livelihood support, and child protection, as well as humanitarian aid in emergency situations. Issues such as health and climate protection are also central to many of our projects.
How can I support ChildFund Germany?
There are many different ways to support our work. From a one-time donation to a regular donation as a “Future Donor” to becoming a sponsor, you are free to choose the form of support that best suits you. Long-term and particularly sustainable support can also take the form of a foundation or a bequest. We also offer a range of customized support options for businesses and schools.