As someone deeply involved with hudsonfamily.net, I often encounter questions from compassionate sponsors eager to send tokens of love to their sponsored children. Many sponsors naturally think of sending packages filled with toys or clothes. However, while the intention is incredibly kind, sending physical packages directly isn’t feasible within the Compassion International framework. But there’s wonderful news: you absolutely can send a gift that will profoundly impact your sponsored child and their family – through monetary Family Gifts. Often, sponsors are unaware of this impactful alternative.
The primary reason packages cannot be delivered is due to complex customs regulations and import duties. In numerous instances, the combined expenses of shipping and customs duties would surpass the actual value of the gift itself. Furthermore, the journey of a package is fraught with risks, including a significant chance of theft or loss along the way. To streamline operations and ensure secure delivery of crucial communications, all mail is processed as “documents” for customs purposes. This document classification avoids shipping fees. However, introducing non-document items like jewelry into these shipments triggers customs inspections. If such items are discovered, entire boxes of letters can be detained, pending customs fee payments, causing substantial and unnecessary delays in delivering vital correspondence to children. The volume of undeliverable items received daily is considerable, placing a significant burden on the correspondence team. They are tasked with the labor-intensive process of contacting sponsors to arrange for item returns or donations to local charities.
While the desire to personally select and send a physical gift is understandable and stems from a place of deep care, consider the powerful alternative: channeling that same thoughtful investment into a monetary gift. By choosing to send funds instead of goods purchased in the U.S., you directly contribute to the economic vitality of your sponsored child’s local community.
Give a Gift
Why Family Gifts Truly Make a Difference
The most compelling reason to send a family gift is its profound blessing upon the child and their family. These gifts directly address their real-life needs in a tangible way. Monetary contributions translate into essential resources: perhaps a brand-new set of clothes, their very first pair of sturdy shoes, or even the seed capital to launch a small, income-generating business for the entire family.
To illustrate the incredible impact, let me share a personal experience. Last fall, I sent a family gift to Angela, my sponsored child in Bolivia. The outcome was truly remarkable. With just $75, Angela and her family were able to purchase an astonishing array of necessities. Their purchases included a durable blue jean jacket, essential undergarments, a warm wool poncho, another jacket, a skirt, crucial school supplies, shoes for multiple family members, vital food provisions, and even a backpack for Angela’s brother, Jose. The staff at the child development center were kind enough to send a photograph of Angela surrounded by her family, proudly displaying all the items they were able to acquire thanks to the family gift. While letters acknowledging receipt are standard practice for every gift, photographs like these are sent for larger gifts. In fact, gifts exceeding $60 often qualify for a picture of the child with their purchased items.
How Sending a Family Gift Actually Works
The process of sending a family gift is designed to be efficient and impactful. After the monthly accounting cycle concludes, the finance department compiles a comprehensive list of all gifts received that month. For the majority of countries where Compassion operates, these gifts are converted into the local currency and transferred to the Compassion country office’s bank. Depending on the specific country office, the currency exchange from U.S. dollars to the local currency might be handled by their bank, or U.S. dollars might be utilized directly in some instances.
Once the funds reach the country office, a designated staff member ensures the money is transferred to the appropriate child development center. The method of transfer varies; some centers receive funds via check, while others utilize direct bank account transfers. This entire process, from the time you send your gift to when it reaches the development center, typically spans two to three months.
Upon receipt of the funds, the center staff plays a crucial role in ensuring the gift’s meaningful use. They organize a meeting with your sponsored child, informing them about your generous family gift. During this meeting, they engage in a discussion about the child’s and family’s most pressing needs and wishes. The child then formally acknowledges receipt of the gift by signing for it. Following this, accompanied by a staff member, the child visits the local market to purchase the agreed-upon items. Finally, the child will write a thank-you letter to you, detailing the items purchased and often including a photograph, particularly for larger family gifts and depending on the center’s resources. If, for any reason, you do not receive a thank-you letter within six months of sending your gift, it is advisable to contact Compassion. They will then reach out to the country office to gather further information and ensure your gift’s proper delivery and acknowledgment.
Christmas Gifts
Exploring Different Types of Family Gifts
When it comes to sending monetary support, you have several thoughtful options. You can send family gifts ranging from $25 to $1,000, and general or birthday gifts in amounts between $10 and $100, up to twice per year. A birthday gift is specifically designated to celebrate your sponsored child’s birthday, making their special day even brighter. A general gift offers flexibility and can be sent for any reason, allowing the child or family to address immediate needs as they arise. However, a family gift is unique as it encourages collaborative decision-making. The child and their family jointly decide how to best utilize the funds to benefit the entire household.
Another impactful option is contributing to the Christmas Gift Program. While family gifts and general gifts can be sent throughout the year, donations to the Christmas Gift Program, ideally around $20, should be made by October 31st. This timing ensures that these special Christmas family gifts are distributed in time to bring joy and celebration during the Christmas season.
Important Considerations for Responsible Giving
While the desire to send frequent gifts is generous, sending a family gift every month is generally discouraged. For families living on limited resources, a monetary gift is incredibly impactful. However, to foster sustainable development and prevent unintended consequences, it’s important to avoid creating dependency on these gifts. Consistent monthly gifts can inadvertently foster dependence and, regrettably, may also lead to jealousy within the community, potentially making your sponsored child and their family vulnerable to social challenges.
If you wish to send a gift but can only contribute a smaller amount, like $5, consider saving it. Due to the processing costs associated with monetary gifts, the minimum amount accepted is $10. Therefore, setting aside your $5 and combining it with another $5 the following month will allow you to send a meaningful family gift when you reach the minimum threshold.
Finally, while you’re welcome to suggest potential purchases – perhaps recalling a cherished teddy bear from your own childhood – the ultimate decision rests with your sponsored child. They, or their family if the child is very young, will make the final choice on how to best utilize the family gift to meet their needs and desires.
Ultimately, sending family gifts is not obligatory, but it is an extraordinary way to bless your sponsored child and their family. The impact is undeniably significant and deeply appreciated.
This post was originally published on Aug. 9, 2010. Italicized text indicates updated correspondence guidelines.
