Global Hope Child Sponsorship Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you call child sponsors “Godparents”?
The term “Godparent” is used to reflect a deeper relationship than just sending in money. We believe the most important gift you give is the love your Godchild will feel when you pray for them and write them letters. You may even be able to show them how much you care by visiting them through a Global Hope mission trip!
Why are Global Hope Godparents so important?
Godparents in the Global Hope community gain a deeper understanding of the difference that they are making in the lives of their sponsored children by developing a long-term relationship with the child through letter writing, prayer and personal visits. Semi-annual updates from the ministry partners of Global Hope or from the child themselves will help Godparents gain a better understanding of the child’s community, culture, and personalinterests.
Godparents provide long-term and sustainable funding so that Global Hope knows that the support provided for each child will be consistently provided. It allows Global Hope to confidently grow the number of children cared for, without endangering our ability to continue providing for those already in our care.
What does it cost to become a Godparent and what does it provide?
Your commitment provides for more than just your child’s physical needs –you will also develop a long-lasting relationship with your godchild through regular letter writing. You have the opportunity to impact your Godchild’s life by providing emotional support, positive encouragement and by the sharing of your faith. You will receive semi-annual updates on your child’s progress and periodic Global Hope newsletters.
What happens to the child I’m helping if I cannot continue being a Godparent?
If I sign up to become a Global Hope Godparent, how long will my support be required?
Children leave the Global Hope program once they have completed their education and are living independently. Please know though, that some Global Hope children may move away, be sent to live with relatives in a different community or leave our care for other reasons. In these circumstances, we will inform you as quickly as possible, and we’ll offer you the opportunity to support another child in need of your help.
Occasionally, it is possible to continue your sponsorship when a child gets out of school to help with the expenses associated with learning a trade or attending college. We can let you know if that becomes an option.
We hope that you will be able to continue as a Global Hope Godparent indefinitely, although we recognize that Godparents’ circumstances sometimes change. You may elect to stop being a Godparent at any time.
Is it important to pray for the child I am sponsoring?
Remember that your Godchild is being encouraged to pray for you, too. As your relationship grows you will begin to discover a deeper connection through your prayers for each other.
How often will Global Hope update me on my child?
Global Hope will send you semi-annual updates about your Godchild’s progress, and periodic newsletters with updates on all ministry locations. You will also receive letters from your Godchild one to two times a year.
You’ll be able to track the entire Global Hope community through our web page, www.globalhope.org, and through our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/globalhope.org. Through these tools, you will grow to understand the cultures of the areas where Global Hope provides support and the daily life of the children and the staff.
We also encourage you to visit your godchild on a Global Hope mission trip. You can find out more about Global Hope mission opportunities by contacting us at info@globalhope.org.
Can I visit my Child?
How do I send letters to my child?
There are two ways you can send a letter to your child:
- Use the Write to Your Letter page to access the letter writing form. This online tool is the fastest, least expensive, and most reliable way for us to forward your letter to your child.
- You may also send a letter to your child by mailing it to Global Hope, P.O. Box 1052, Broomfield, CO 80038. Enclose your name, your sponsored child’s name and reference number. Global Hope will translate your letter, if necessary, and deliver it to your child.
When you write a letter to your child, you will receive a confirmation email that your letter was received and has been sent to your child.
We encourage you to send your child a personal, family, or group photograph and a short letter of introduction. You may write to your child as often as you like. Writing letters helps the child develop a sense of well-being, and helps them grow in their reading and writing skills. The more you write to your child, the more he or she will benefit from your relationship.
How often should I write to my Godchild?
What should I write about in my letters?
When writing your letters please don’t make any promises you can’t keep; don’t promise to visit them “sometime,” or say that you hope they will visit you. To protect your privacy, don’t include personal information like your phone number, address, or financial information.
Will my Godchild write to me?
Please know that in some locations it is difficult for the children to write frequently. Global Hope can only assure Godparents one or two letters a year, although we do try to get more when feasible. When a Godchild writes you a letter, Global Hope will send it either by regular mail or email, depending on the format in which we receive it.
May I send gifts to my Godchild?
We may inform you of opportunities to contribute to a gift for the home or school, but we ask that you do not send gifts to an individual child when other children in the home or school are not receiving one. You may also choose to make an extra contribution at Christmas when we send money for a special celebration for the children.
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