What specific benefits will the child I sponsor receive?
The child you sponsor through LCM will receive opportunities and services that most of the world's poorest children will simply never see. These opportunities and services include the following
The opportunity to receive an education. In some cases, this means providing the cost of school fees, clothing, and supplies. In other cases, it means providing tutoring, help with homework, encouragement, and, if necessary, participation in a literacy program outside the classroom. Your LCM sponsorship will allow one special child to stay in school longer if formal schooling is an option and get the most out of his or her education.
The opportunity to be healthy. The health of the child you sponsor will be monitored and care will be provided as needed. Children are taught about hygiene and how to maintain personal health. In addition, and according to their need, many LCM children receive supplementary food.
The opportunity to develop self-confidence and social skills. The child you support will be part of a church-based program where Christian adults offer love, guidance, personal attention, guided recreation and safety.
The opportunity to hear the Gospel and learn about Jesus. Most important, your LCM Children Homes sponsorship provides the child you sponsor with regular Bible training and encouragement through a local church committed to Christ and the children in its community.
Will I be the only person sponsoring the child I'm helping?
Yes. The child you're helping has just one sponsor you. That's why your prayers, letters and support mean so much to your sponsored child. Even if you choose to sponsor a child as a family or a group (for example, a youth group or a Sunday school class), the child you help will still be relating to your family or group as his or her only sponsor. No other group or individual will also sponsor the child you help.
If I must discontinue my sponsorship, what happens to the child I'm helping? If you need to discontinue your support, we will immediately look for a new sponsor for your child and continue the child's support without interruption.
How long should my sponsorship last?
LCM Children Homes sponsorship offers you the opportunity to stay with a child for a number of years, usually through the school year in which the child reaches the age of 18. While we hope that you will be able to continue in your support of your sponsored child until he or she completes the LCM program, we recognize that sponsors' circumstances sometimes change. You may discontinue your sponsorship at any time. Please understand that a sponsored child's circumstances may change, too. For example, sometimes families move beyond the reach of Grace Children Homes program and children have to leave LCM sponsorship. We will inform you as quickly as possible if any such circumstance affects the child you sponsor, and we'll offer you the opportunity to support another child in need of your help.
How can I communicate with the child I sponsor?
Once you've become a sponsor, we provide you with a special correspondence packet that includes stationery, an envelope and the brochure Letters, Gifts and Your Sponsored Child, with practical suggestions about writing the child you're helping. We encourage you to send your sponsored child a personal or family photograph and a short letter of introduction. LCM field staff will translate your letter and deliver it to the child you support. Sponsored children typically keep their sponsors' photos and letters in their homes as treasured possessions.You may write to the child you sponsor as often as you like. When you write, your sponsored child will benefit from knowing that someone in addition to his or her family really cares. Your words of encouragement will make a big difference to your child.Correspondence between sponsors and the children they support is truly developmental. The more you write the child you sponsor, the more he or she will reap the benefits of your relationship.
You may write to the child you sponsor as often as you like. When you write, your sponsored child will benefit from knowing that someone in addition to his or her family really cares. Your words of encouragement will make a big difference to your child.
Correspondence between sponsors and the children they support is truly developmental. The more you write the child you sponsor, the more he or she will reap the benefits of your relationship.
Will my child write to me?
Your child will write to you at least three times a year. A teacher or staff person will help children who have yet to learn how to read and write.
Letter writing is developmental for children as it improves their basic literacy, their self-awareness and their ability to put thoughts and feelings into words. As you share your own family and personal concerns with the child you support, you'll probably discover that he or she is consistently praying for you. As your exchange of letters with the child you sponsor grows over the years, you can build a scrapbook of letters and photos from your child. Your scrapbook will serve as a constant reminder of the relationship you've developed with the child you're helping and of how you've contributed to his or her growth.
How important is prayer in LCM sponsorship? Prayer is a critical link between LCM sponsors and the children they help. Your sponsored child is in need and vulnerable. Your prayers for the health, safety, education and spiritual development of your child are critical. Sponsored children are greatly encouraged when they hear that their sponsors are praying for them.Remember that the child you sponsor will likely pray for you, too. Often, a sponsored child's family and church join in prayer with the child on behalf of a sponsor. As you share your own family and personal concerns with the child you support, you'll probably discover that he or she is consistently praying for you.