The Best Christmas Gift

A few days ago, my friend Lindsay contacted me on Facebook to ask how one goes about becoming a Sponsor. I gave her a brief summary of how the process works, and then I referred her to Children International's Waiting Child Search. A few days later, she posted the most wonderful news!

I'll just let the screenshot speak for itself... =)

Spotlight Child of the Week, 12/20/2012

In celebration of the upcoming holiday, I have chosen a Christmas angel as today's Spotlight Child of the Week!

This beautiful little girl is Diana. She lives in the Dominican Republic with her mother. Together, the two of them struggle to survive on only $50 per month.They are fortunate to have running water and electricity in their home, which has a concrete floor, wood walls and a corrugated metal roof. Diana likes to play with dolls, and she shows a talent for dance. She will celebrate her third birthday on Christmas day--what better gift could she receive for her extra-special day than the promise of Sponsorship?

Spotlight Child of the Week, 12/14/12

 Meet Marilyn! She has been waiting for a sponsor for over three years!  This six-year-old cutie will celebrate her birthday in four days--the same day as my dad! She lives in the Philippines with her parents and three siblings. The whole family struggles to survive on only $75 per month. Their home is concrete and corrugated metal. They are fortunate to have running water in their home, but although they have electricity, it is unregulated access. When Marilyn isn't in school, she enjoys playing with her friends and her siblings. She counts dancing among her talents. What better birthday present could she receive than an end to her long wait for a guardian angel to give her the hope of a better tomorrow?


Unsure about Sponsorship? Take a test-ride by teaming up with an experienced Sponsor--me! I would be happy to co-Sponsor with you ... and if you decided after all that Sponsorship just isn't for you, you can rest assured in the knowledge that I will maintain the Sponsorship myself rather than let our angel fall back into the waiting pool. If, on the other hand, you decide you love Sponsoring SO much that you'd like to continue solo, I will be content to step aside and allow you to build that one-to-one relationship!

Introduction Letters

I always have a hard time writing introduction letters to my new Sponsored girls. They come out sounding a mix of stiffly formal and hyper-excited, which is a pretty awkward combination! I'm trying to write my first letter to Dianne tonight, and I've already started over three times.

Draft 1:

Dear Dianne,
  Mabuhay! How are you today? I hope that you and your family and friends are all in good health!
  My name is Shannon, and I am your new Sponsor! I am very excited to get to know you. I will start by telling you a bit about me. I live in the USA in the state of Maryland with my boyfriend Julio and my dog Ali`i. Julio and I both work for Southwest Airlines. In our free time, we like to spend time with our friends. We all gather at one of our houses to play games and eat snacks.

Draft 2:

Dear Dianne,
  Mabuhay! How are you today? I hope that you and your family and friends are all in good health. I am so excited to get to know you and I hope you are excited to get to know me too! I will start by telling you a little bit about me.

Draft 3:

Dear Dianne,
  Mabuhay! How are you today? I hope that you and your family and friends are all in good health.
  My name is Shannon, and I am your new Sponsor. I am so excited to be your Sponsor and to get to know you. Let me start by telling you a little bit about me. I live in Maryland with my boyfriend Julio and my dog Ali`i. Julio and I both work for Southwest Airlines. We supervise the gys who load and unload the luggage from the planes.
  In my free time I like to knit and crochet blankets for my family and friends. I also like to attend medieval events on the weekends. It is a lot of fun! What do you like to do in your free time?
  Some of my favorite things: the color green, the cartoon character Snoopy, and Christmas. My favorite sport is racquetball, and I also really like to swim. My favorite place is Raquette Lake--my family goes there for vacation every summer. My favorite food is fettuccini alfredo.
  I hope to receive your letter soon! I can't wait to hear about your school and family and friends, and all of your favorite things!
With big hugs,
Shannon

I'm not entirely satisfied with Draft 3, but I think I'm going to stick with it, since I don't know exactly what I would do to improve it ...

Packages Arriving

Well, I know for sure that at least one of the packages I sent to the Philippines has arrived at the agency office! Unfortunately, the reason I know this is because it was Hazel's package, and CI wanted to know what I would prefer to do with it since she has left the program--they suggested giving it to another child. I, of course, was already wondering if it could be given to Dianne. Unfortunately, Dianne is supported from a different office than Hazel was, but Debbie, one of the awesome Sponsor Services Representatives in Kansas City, has sent back a reply to them asking if they will be able to transfer it over for her! Everyone keep your fingers crossed for this small Christmas miracle for a little girl who waited a VERY long time for a Sponsor!

Spotlight Child of the Week, 12/8/12

 This nine-year-old cutie is Dianne Alexis from the Philippines. She lives with her parents and three siblings in a concrete, plywood and corrugated metal house. They are fortunate to have running water and electricity, but their electricity is unregulated use, which is risky and unreliable. Dianne has been waiting for over THREE YEARS for a Sponsor to give her hope and possibilities for the future. Would you be the person to end her long wait?







Unsure about Sponsorship? Take a test-ride by teaming up with an experienced Sponsor--me! I would be happy to co-Sponsor with you ... and if you decided after all that Sponsorship just isn't for you, you can rest assured in the knowledge that I will maintain the Sponsorship myself rather than let our angel fall back into the waiting pool. If, on the other hand, you decide you love Sponsoring SO much that you'd like to continue solo, I will be content to step aside and allow you to build that one-to-one relationship!

Letter from Jie!

On a happier note, I received a letter from Jie today! It's a CP letter, but it reads more like a CR:

Dear Sha,

Hello!!! A pleasant day to you of course your family . It's been a long time that I didn't write to you. By the way, how are you? I hope you're okay and your family. I've read your message to me, it's so nice that your all picture. By the way this time I'm so busy for the exam in studying my lesson. I always do my best to have a higher grade. At home I always scanned my notes during my free time to assure myself that never get a low grade. I passed all my subjects and projects on time.

I spend my time doing household chores like washing the clothes and cleaning the house. I never forget to take Holy Mass on Sunday. I pray to God to take good care of my family and yours too.

I want to say thank you for all the benefits and things you have shared with me. God bless you always!!!

Your Sponsored Child,
Jie Ann

It's such a warm and loving letter, but not one that replies directly to anything I've written to her (which is why I thought it was a CR at first). I love that she's given me a nickname. =) She sounds very dedicated to her studies--that's a good sign!

Hazel: Closing the Chapter

2010

I received the letter in the mail today that formally informed me of Hazel's withdrawl from the Program. The letter states:

"Unfortunately, we've just learned from our field staff in the Philippines that Hazel's family has unexpectedly moved out of our sponsorship area because a better job became available for one of her family members ... I want to assure you that although she will no longer be a part of our program, this is a very positive step for her family ... Since Hazel's family has moved out of the area, not only is it impossible to continue her sponsorship, I'm sorry to let you know that we will not be able to deliver any final letters or photos you might want to send."

2011

So, it's about what I expected--very similar to the letter I received when Joan left. I appreciate the included details that they moved so a family member could take a better job--Joan's family moved without specifying why, and the uncertainty was awful. I am sad that I cannot send a final letter ... and I wonder what will become of the DP that's somewhere en route from me to her for Christmas?

CI included information for a young lady named Jossa to take Hazel's place, but I've already told them I'm not ready to take another child at this time. For now, I will put that $25 each month aside, to help provide SNGs for my girls on their birthdays. When I feel ready to again add a tenth child, I will probably investigate taking a younger sibling of Anna Marie or Yojana.

Goodbye, my dear Hazel. May your new life bring with it all the hope and possibilities of the future and a new sense of security and comfort for you and your whole family.

2012