Change One Life Today!

Letters are the foundation of friendship.

One of the most important benefits of an Alliance for African Assistance sponsorship is the relationship that develops between sponsor and child. This relationship is nurtured through the Sponsor’s commitment to write letters and send photographs. You may send any letters to the Alliance for African Assistance’s San Diego office, and we will happily forward them to our office in Uganda where they will be distributed to your sponsored child.

What should you write about?

You are an important person to your sponsored child. So naturally, your friend will be interested in knowing something about you. We suggest writing about activities and special events in your life involving family, holidays, hobbies, pets, favorite food, places you visit, and other interests. A short, simple letter using basic English is best. We encourage you to find out about the things you may have in common with your sponsored child. Ask about your child’s family, school, community, the climate or a favorite pastime.

Should you include a photo?

Your sponsored child will cherish photographs of you and your family.

Where should you send your correspondence?

Please send your letter to the San Diego office of Alliance for African Assistance and we will send them via international airmail directly to the Alliance for African Assistance office in Gulu, Uganda. Our staff there will personally distribute the letters to your child.

How often should you write?

As often as possible! Children look forward to getting letters from their sponsors. It gives them a sense of hope to know that someone cares, and helps raise their self-esteem. It is also a fantastic opportunity for them to practice their English. Thank you for taking the time to write, to pray and to appreciate your sponsored child.

How long does it take to deliver your letter?

Postal services to Uganda can be extremely slow. Once the Alliance for African Assistance Uganda office receives your letter, it must be hand delivered to your sponsored child. Many sponsored children live in remote villages, some of which are accessible only by foot. This whole process can sometimes take two months or longer.

How often will your sponsored child write you?

Your sponsored child will write to you at least twice each year. If your child is not yet able to read or write in English, a staff member will read your letter to your friend and write to you on your friend’s behalf. The quality of letters our sponsors receive varies widely depending on the age, educational level and culture of their sponsored child. Also the children are taught to write letters in a specific style of English, which sometimes may come across stiff or formal. Despite these and other challenges, the letters manage to convey the love and gratitude of our sponsored children.

When will you receive your first letter?

Communication in areas where we work is often slow. Please be patient. Alliance notifies our Uganda office of new sponsorships when sponsorship is first requested. Once that office receives notification of your sponsorship, the arrangements are then made for your sponsored child to write you. Once the letter is written, it must be translated (if necessary) along with other letters and sent to our San Diego office for processing. The letter is then mailed to you. It generally takes two to three months for the first letter to arrive.

If you sponsor with a group, who should write your sponsored child?

We recommend that one person from the group consistently correspond with your sponsored child. However, it is helpful to include the name of the group at the close of each letter.

Is it OK to send a small gift to your child?

Yes, please feel free to include a small gift with your letters, cards or pictures. All of the sponsored children come from very large, impoverished families and do not have the luxury of receiving gifts on special occasions so anything you would be able to send them would be very appreciated. Please remember to keep the gift small and light to help us keep the shipping cost as minimal as possible. You may add an extra “gift” donation along with your monthly donation, perhaps during your child’s birthday month or for Christmas. We will send your gift donation in its entirety (no administrative costs will be taken) to Uganda and the full amount will be given to your child.

How long does sponsorship last?

A sponsorship lasts as long as your child is in the program and you choose to continue sponsoring. Many sponsors see their sponsored children through high school and college or technical training.

What happens when a sponsored child leaves the program?

Sponsored children sometimes leave the Child Sponsorship for a variety of reasons, some joyous and some sad. Graduation, improved economic situation of the family, marriage, death, moving outside the program’s service area, and failure of the family to meet responsibilities of the sponsorship program are among the reasons a sponsorship may end. While we try by all means to keep children in the program as long as they are eligible, if a child must leave the program, Alliance notifies sponsors as soon as we are alerted by our Uganda office. At that time, you will be given the opportunity to sponsor another child in need. We hope that in this situation, you will consider continuing as a sponsor. However, there is no obligation on your part. We will always respect your decision.

What happens if a sponsorship contribution is late?

At the end of every four months, we prepare your sponsorship contribution to be wired to your child. Money is sent at the beginning of the months of May, September, and January. The Ugandan school system is on a trimester schedule and our wire schedule reflects their school’s payment schedule. We send to our Uganda office the sponsorship funds we have received for those four months along with a spreadsheet that lists which children have received a donation and the amounts of money to be distributed to them and their schools. If we do not receive your donation before the end of the fourth month, we will not be able to wire funds to your child for that trimester and they risk not being able to attend school. For this reason, we urge sponsors to send in their donations in a timely matter. Of course, we understand that problems sometimes arise. If this occurs, please contact the child sponsorship program coordinator at 619-286-9052 x 237 as soon as possible. If you would prefer to make trimester, quarterly, or yearly payments, this can also be arranged.

What are some other ways to help?

One of the simplest things you can do to help is tell others about the Alliance Child Sponsorship Program and your sponsorship experience. Our web site is a great resource for family and friends who wish to learn more about our work with refugees and our Child Sponsorship Program. Set a time for one of our staff members to come speak to your church, school, or to your family, or friends about the program and ways they can get involved. Ask at your work about designating the Alliance for employer matching gifts and other employer related charitable programs. Such donations will go to the Alliance scholarship programs to help needy youth studying through secondary school and college or technical training. Please check with your human resources or payroll department for forms and requirements. Be creative – we are always open to your new ideas!

Will the Alliance sell or rent your name?

NEVER! Alliance for African Assistance assures you that your name, address and other personal information are never sold or rented to other organizations.