Frequently Asked Questions- Child Hope Zambia

I have gotten a few questions, so I wanted to give this to all who might be asking these same questions:

1. How often can we write to the child? You can write as often as you wish. You will mail the letters directly to Lusaka, Zambia:
THE NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR
CHILDHOPE-ZAMBIA
P.O.BOX 39481
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
Please include your sponsor child's full name and ID number.

2. How often do they write back? 4 times a year. We are currently making letter writing prompt sheets to get the kids to open up, share their ideas and be creative. The idea is that they will write a letter every season (rainy season, dry cold season, hot season, and Christmas season). As soon as I have the letter templates, I will post them.

3. Will we get the responses by email or regular mail? You will get letters in the mail. To save cost on the Zambian side, they will mail the letters in bulk to the US. I will mail them to the sponsors via regular mail. However, you will receive all pictures and updates via e-mail. This allows you to get them quicker, and print and post all of the pictures that you want to.

4. Can we send special monetary donation as well? Yes you may. If you have something specific that you would like the money be spent on, please specify. Some of the best donations are things that will help the family live better (i.e. chickens, other animals, food items such as Kapenta, etc). There is, also, a food program that benefits all of the children. It always needs donations. Special donations to this program can provide the children with extras like fish and meat to go with the beans and porridge.

5. Do we get the photos & bio in the post or via email? e-mail because of the reasons stated above.

6. What happens, if I need to discontinue with the sponsorship? You just let me know, and the child will be posted on the blog again to find a sponsor- no big deal. There are many reasons people choose to not continue with sponsorship, and you do not need to give a reason. You can even say that you would like to sponsor a different child. All of it is perfectly acceptable. There are enough children for everyone!

7. What happens when my primary child gets to secondary school? There are several children currently in the 7th grade, so you will just pay sponsorship from May through December $9 each month. After December, you can choose to sponsor that same child in their secondary education for $15 a month, or you can stop sponsoring them (but maintain contact with them through letters), and begin sponsoring another primary student in January 2011 for $9 a month.

8. Can I visit my child? Absolutely! You can even volunteer, if you wish. This is a hands-on sponsorship program. The children love visitors, and you will no-doubt have all of the children in the town watching you and following you with excitement.

I am sure there are many more questions, and I will include the questions with answers as I receive them from everyone. Make sure to read through the Child Hope Zambia blog because it may answer many of the questions you have.