Many sponsors want to do something extra and personal for their sponsored child by sending a gift.
However in some countries, gifts from well-meaning sponsors incur disproportionally high customs duties. The unfortunate result is that World Vision must pay for customs duties and this diverts our funds from our development programs.
Gifts can have other unintended results such as:
creating jealousy amongst other children
creating expectations of future gifts
they can be stolen by customs or postal workers
no matter how well you mean, your gift may be culturally inappropriate
The good news is that if you’re sending a letter directly to your sponsored child (ie. not a greeting card or letter that we provide), then you’re welcome to send small inexpensive items that fit into a DL (business) envelope. The best part for children isn’t the monetary value if these items, it’s knowing that you’re thinking of them.
Paper-based items are ideal. Some suggestions include:- stickers
- bookmarks
- picture postcards
- photos
- drawings by your children or grandchildren (or you!)
Packages, gifts or items outside these guidelines may not be forwarded to your sponsored child and may be donated to a local charity.
Don't send money
Please
DON’T send money, cheques or postal orders to your sponsored child.
We ask this for reasons which include:
- Sending money to an individual child and/or their family does not contribute to the long-term development goals of the sponsorship program.
- Our field offices are not equipped to handle funds sent to them directly from sponsors.
- As with gifts, it may cause tension amongst family and community members.
- In some countries it is against the law to receive and send foreign currency.
If you would like to do more, please consider our other solutions that assist other children just like your sponsored child.