What should you say - and not say - to your sponsored student?
The children at St. John’s preschool love coming to school. With help from sponsors, they will go on to attend Tumaini Academy.
“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Eph 1:16
Northern Kenya
A Tumaini student proudly shows off a photo he received from his sponsors!
One of the best parts of sponsoring a student is writing and receiving letters! We know you love hearing about life in Northern Kenya through the eyes of your student. And they love writing their appreciation to you.
Equally, the students at Tumaini love receiving messages from you! Life is not easy in Marsabit County. When they receive a letter, they know that they have not been forgotten.
With the coronavirus pandemic still causing major disruptions, we are unable to send letters. However, once travel restrictions are lifted, we hope to bring many letters to the children of Northern Kenya! You can start writing those now!
But you may be asking, how do I write a letter? What should I say? Is it rude to talk about our house, our vacations, or our material possessions?
Here is some advice to help you write the best letter to your student.
Family is pivotal in Kenya. The students love to hear about your family! How many children or grandchildren do you have? What about siblings? What are their ages? What do they like to study? Do they live near you? What do you do when you are together?
The students at Tumaini love to color drawings. So why not color one for them - or have the little ones in your family make a special drawing for them, depicting your daily life.
Other topics you can talk about are your pets, your favorite activities, and the weather. In Kenya, there is the rainy season and there is the dry season. You can write to your student about the four seasons we have here in North America. Which one is your favorite and why?
Because the students at Tumaini have so little, it is best to avoid writing about your favorite possessions or extravagant vacations. Be sensitive to the fact that their lives are very different. The aim of your letter is to find points of connection with your student.
Of course, remind your students that you are praying for them. While it is important to be mindful of the fact that their family might not be Christians, prayer is always appreciated.
Finally, tell them how proud you are of them for working hard and continuing at school. You might tell a story from your experience as a student.
All of these topics will bring joy to the students at Tumaini. We are grateful for your love and support of the children of Northern Kenya!
Thank you so much for your student sponsorship!
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