Getting to know my sponsored family
> How do I communicate with my sponsored family?
> Can I send packages?
> Will I hear from my sponsored family?
> How long will it take for my sponsored family to respond to letters?
> Is World Vision fiscally responsible with my sponsorship?

Updates, visits and project completion
> Will I be updated on my sponsored family's progress?
> Can I visit my sponsored family?
> How long will my sponsorship last?
> How does sponsorship show God’s love to children and families?

How will the families benefit from sponsorship?
> How should I pray for my sponsored family?

Fulfilling my commitment
> How do I make my monthly contributions?
> How do I keep track of my contributions?
> I have other questions. Who do I call?




How do I communicate with my sponsored family?
You may write them directly. Follow these 3 easy steps!

1. Write World Vision's national country office address on the front of the envelope. (This address can be found below your sponsored family's profile.)
2. Write your sponsored family's name and I.D. number on the backflap of all envelopes.
3. Write your sponsored family's name and I.D. number at the top of each letter.

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Can I send packages?
Due to high import duties and restrictions by various foreign governments, packages cannot be sent to sponsored families. However, you may send small gifts which meet these guidelines:

• Send flat, inexpensive items that can easily fit into a 6" x 9" envelope. A few ideas: photos, bookmarks, stamps or stickers. Never send cash!
• Mail your gift items to the address printed on your family's picture folder. Please do not send them to World Vision's Washington address.
• Be sure to write your sponsored family's name and I.D. number on the back of the envelope.
  
  
  

Will I hear from my sponsored family?
Yes. You will receive at least one letter a year from your sponsored family. They will also send you a special greeting card and respond to letters you send them.

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How long will it take for my sponsored family to respond to letters?
It's common for a reply to take three to four months. Long distances, remote locations, and inadequate postal services can make for slow communication. Also, depending on your family's country, translation may be necessary. So please be patient and feel free to write again, even if you've yet to receive a reply.

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Is World Vision fiscally responsible with my sponsorship?
World Vision is annually audited by the independent accounting firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers. We adhere strictly to guidelines set by the Council of Better Business Bureaus, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, the Association for Evangelical Relief and Development Organizations, and the National Charities Information Bureaus.

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Will I be updated on my sponsored family's progress?
Each year you will reeive a progress report and an updated photograph of your sponsored family. This report will let you know specific ways your gifts are helping the family — how the children are doing in school, the state of their health, and the latest achievements in their community. You'll also receive newsletters featuring stories on how family sponsorship is helping communities thrive.

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Can I visit my sponsored family?
Yes! Please contact World Vision at least four months prior to your trip, so we can make the necessary arrangements. Call a Customer Communication Representative at 1.800.423.4200.

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How long will my sponsorship last?
Your sponsorship may last several months or many years. The goal of World Vision Family Sponsorship is to bring your family and their community to health and self-reliance so they can step confidently into the future. When your sponsored family and community meet these goals, World Vision can move on to serve another community in desperate need of help. You’ll be given the opportunity to sponsor a different family in a new community.

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How does sponsorship show God’s love to children and families?
We strive to demonstrate God's love in every part of our work. As followers of Jesus, our goal is to save lives, bring hope, and enable children to reach their God-given potential.

We are thankful and blessed to work in many communities where the families we serve are not Christians. As guests in these communities, we honor our commitment to abide by the laws of our hosts, which may prohibit Christian teaching. Wherever appropriate, World Vision supports biblical teaching and often works in partnership with local churches.

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How should I pray for my sponsored family?
Your prayers are so very important to the success of our work; the transformation of children and their families. As you find out more about the living situation of your sponsored family, you'll discover specific needs for which you can pray.

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How can I make my monthly conributions?
You have several ways you can provide your sponsorship support. You can make your gift monthly ($40), or make an annual gift ($480).

Automatic Giving — For your convenience, you may have your sponsorship support automatically deducted from your bank account, debit card, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover). If you wish to do this, just call us at 1-800-423-4200 or click here.

Monthly Checks — When you pay by monthly checks, your monthly statement will include a return coupon and an envelope for you to send your next gift. Please do not send cash.

Money Order — Money orders should be made payable to World vision and should inclde your full name, address, ZIP code, and account number.

Our promise to you: World Vision reviews the rate of sponsorship on an ongoing basis to maintain the quality of its programs and respond to the needs of the families and communities it serves. As a participant in World Vision's Automatic Giving Plan, you will receive 30 days advance written notice of any future rate increases and will have the option to decline.

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How do I keep track of my contributions?
Each month we will send you a statement and a coupon to send it with your next gift. If you contribute through Automatic Giving, we will send you quarterly statements.

Sponsorship contributions to World Vision are tax deductible. Be sure to keep your statement; this is your only legal receipt for income tax purposes.

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I have other questions. Who do I call?
Please feel free to e-mail World Vision with any questions or comments you may have. Or, call us toll-free at 1-800-777-5777, Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Pacific Time, and speak to a Customer Communication Representative.

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