We love that so many sponsors want to connect with their sponsor child! We are here to help with that.
Here are a few meaningful ways you can do that:
Write them a letter using the form below
Send a gift with an upcoming team
Give a special Christmas gift or donation — see below for gift ideas and how to give
✉️ Write a Letter:
Email office@homeofhope.ca the letter and we will make sure that your sponsor child will receive it. Or fill out the form below.
Most times, the child will write you back! This is a very quick way to hear from your sponsor child!- Send a monetary gift or physical gift with the next team. See when the next team is going.
- *BEST* Monetary gift suggestion: $30. With this amount, the child's caregiver or guardian can buy them specific items that they need/want. This is great for birthdays and Christmas. View the shopping list below - Ziplock bag (1ft x 10in) with gifts (weighing less than 5lbs) for your sponsor child only (for family members, you can send monetary gifts if you want to). Gifts cannot be wrapped as per airline requirements and the child's safety. Please mark your sponsor child's name and city/country on the bag (see below for gift ideas). Call us to let us know, as space is always limited. 403-314-1214 - Join a team and see them in person! Apply online today or give us a call.
🎁 GIFT IDEAS:
- pictures/photos of you, your family, where you live, snow, etc
- hat, headbands, combs, colourful bandanas (most sponsor children do not have long hair), sunglasses, watch
- tennis balls, a soccer ball (deflated with pump)
- brand new short-sleeved shirts, with no logos or writing (and not white, red dirt of Africa does not wash out easily)
- musical instruments - harmonica, recorder, toy whistle, etc
- small flashlight (solar-powered would be best)
- toothbrush with a holder (travel holders are easily found at dollar stores) (no toothpaste please)
- pencils, erasers and sharpeners, pencil crayons, pens, stickers, solar-powered calculator
- craft supplies (ribbon, buttons, beads, balloons, etc) or packages for them to make things to sell
- pocket mirror, bandaids, nail polish
- dolls, jump ropes, small games, toy cars
Extra tips: Items that have English instructions or games that have multiple steps are not suggested. Most children are in the early stages of learning English. Items like memory card games, yo-yos, and small activity books from the dollar store are also less than ideal. If they need a translator to understand what their gift is, it’s probably not the right gift.
**Please do not include candy, chocolate or sharp objects.
The Kenya Dream Centre often needs specific items: Omega3 pills, tea tree oil, polysporin, plastic spoons, tupperware, cloth diapers, and other baby items
🎄 CHRISTMAS:
Sponsors are encouraged to buy a Christmas gift for their sponsor child - it so fun and makes such an impression! Monetary or physical gifts deadlines are November 1 each year.
- *BEST* Make a Donation: We recommend a donation of $30 to get them a new pair of shoes and some clothing (in Africa, Christmas time is a time to dress your best). You can call the office to make a donation (cash, cheque, credit card, PayPal)
+ New outfit and shoes: $30
+ Mattress: $45
+ Rabbit $10*
+ Pig: $55*
+ Goat: $55*
* only available in certain locations - Send a bag of gifts: Each year, we try to send gifts with a team going from Canada. It is a highlight for the team to give your gift to your sponsor child, BUT space is always limited and a monetary gift is often the best way to go.
The gift bag MUST fit a size large plastic bag (max 12x10in). Please do not using wrapping paper for the child's safety and the airline requirements. Please write your sponsor child's full name and city on the bag. See gift ideas above. Call us to let us know, as space is limited. 403-314-1214
Address for mailing packages: 37557 Highway 2a Red Deer County, AB T4E 1S2