Kugaba Initiative
Letter Writing
Letter writing is an important component to the Kugaba Initiative. As a Hope Angel, you hold a unique position and we encourage you to pour into your sponsored child and encourage them with the love of Jesus Christ.
To help you overcome any cases of writer’s block, we’ve compiled a list of commonly asked questions and letter writing tips.
Letters should be submitted to your child using the REACH Sponsorship Portal. Click here to login.
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Hope Haven hosts a Letter Day for all sponsored students during each of the three academic terms. This will provide a time for your sponsored child to read your letter and write to you.
Below is the schedule for each academic year.
Term 1
Support Letter Due By: October 1
Letter Day in Rwanda: November 1
Term 2
Support Letter Due By: February 1
Letter Day in Rwanda: March 1
Term 3
Support Letter Due By: June 1
Letter Day in Rwanda: July 1
You should write about your family and pets, list their names and ages and their relation to you. Write about your own childhood and any age appropriate anecdotes.
You should share about your hobbies and sports that you enjoy. Your sponsored child may be curious to know what your occupation is, or, if you are a student, what you are studying.
Children will also be interested in learning about where you live – fun facts about your city or state, the climate, what your seasons are like, and geographical structures that will help them understand your home such as “mountainous” or “near the beach”.
You can encourage your sponsored child by expressing your thankfulness for them and that you’re happy to be their friend.
Show an interest in them by asking questions about their lives, families and school work. Encourage them on their studies and give praise for any of their accomplishments.
Show that you care about their future, and help to grow their character by expressing the importance of kindness and love. And of course, encourage your sponsored child by sharing scripture and Jesus’ love with them.
Your letters are written electronically through our online sponsor portal. You have the option to upload photos of yourself and things that are important to you such as your family or pets.
Your sponsored child loves to get photos from you! You should share photos of yourself and your family. If you have pets, your sponsored child would love to see them too!
You may also want to send photos of the area where you live. For example, if you live in Colorado, you can show them photos of you hiking or of the Rocky Mountains. You should avoid any photos that show material wealth (such as large homes, boats, lavish vacations) and photos that show immodest clothing such as bathing suits.
Ask your sponsored child what they like to do for fun! Ask about their family and if they have any siblings.
You may find out that your sponsored child has a pet of their own or a family goat! Ask them what Bible stories they like best and what their favorite subject in school is.
You can also ask them for their prayer requests and their hopes and dreams for the future.
The use of full names and contact information should be avoided. Do not suggest that they come to visit you in the United States someday, and don’t promise to visit them in Rwanda.
Your sponsored child would love to meet you at Hope Haven, however be careful not to make any promises as circumstances can often change unexpectedly.
Avoid asking about the Rwandan genocide or their country’s politics. Always be culturally sensitive and avoid writing about material possessions.
Avoid writing in slang, as your child may not understand what you are trying to say.
You should write your online letter as if you were writing a letter on paper, starting with Dear *sponsored child’s name*, and closing with your name.
You will find that your child has more than one name. It is common in Rwanda to be given a Rwandan name and a Christian name. The Christian name will likely be a name you are familiar with.
Your letter does not need to be long, maybe one page in length, double spaced as we print your letter to give to the child.