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This is a very special time for the both the sender and the receiver. We want to make sure we take great care as we communicate with our sponsored child. The best way to communication is a hand-written letter (it can be typed, but the children love handwritten) scanned and emailed. This will cut down on postage costs and will allow for the quickest transmission both to and from the children. Simply write your letter, scan it, and email it to tanya@underhisumbrella.com. We understand that some may prefer to write a letter and mail it. That is perfectly fine. Just mail your letter to: Under His Umbrella 13061 Rosedale Hwy G-302 Bakersfield, CA 93314

Letters from your sponsored child will be handwritten by them, scanned and emailed to you. If you have a child that is too young to write, they may receive assistance from their teacher or one of our staff members at Vineyard Christian School. It is important that all letters go through the sponsorship program. This allows for the correct translation that you and your child need for positive communication, it will protect your privacy, and it protects the child.

You may write to your sponsored child as often as you like. You will receive a minimum of two letters a year from your child. Please remember to write your child’s name and sponsor number on the letter.

Here are some suggestions: – Describe your family – Explain holidays and family customs – Talk about important events — weddings, graduation, trips, new jobs, holidays, etc. – Tell about the daily activities of your life – Talk about an important life lesson you have learned or are learning – Describe how you overcame a challenge or met a goal – Share your favorite Bible stories and verses – Share about your church and the various ways you serve Christ – Remind your child that you pray for him or her regularly – Answer specific questions your child has mentioned in his or her letters – Share your prayer requests and praise reports – Remind them that God loves him or her and has a great plan for his or her life

Please never make promises to your sponsored child. Even if your intentions are good, we never want to make a promise, even if we intend to keep it. We understand that “life” happens, but these children will hang onto every word you write. Suggesting that you plan to take a trip to visit them, bring them to America, adopt them, or buy them special gifts is never a good idea. Other topics would be: – Discussing material aspects of your life (e.g., the size of your home or the kind of car you drive) – Sending photos that show your possessions – Sharing your personal info such as home address, email address or telephone numbers – Using colloquialisms and slang If the sponsorship coordinator feels that your letter and/or photos contain the above potentially harmful topics, we will contact you.

Currently, the village has no electricity. There are no computers and no way to communicate on mass media. However, in God’s perfect timing, the future might hold access to these things. For your protection and the integrity of the Vineyard Christian School Sponsorship Program, we ask that you do not add your sponsored child or any child in the program on Facebook or any other social media network. Requiring all communication to be funneled through our sponsorship coordinator allows us to protect both the sponsors and the children. Sadly, some children will try to take advantage of your generosity. Communicating with them in an un-monitored outlet like Facebook opens the door for uncomfortable and even harmful scenarios for you and the child.

Because of the conditions of the village, we are asking that you only send letters and pictures. Our reason for this is for the child’s protection. While it might seem “fun” to send a gift, it is not good to be singled out in an impoverished area. Many times it causes jealousy and discrimination. Since we want our involvement to be positive, it is best to keep it simple. We do have hygiene kits and food baskets available on the website for gifting. These packages were designed with the needs of the children and their families in mind. If you choose to purchase one or both, they will be delivered to your child’s home. This is something that can be repeated as often as you feel led. The hygiene kit costs $15. This kit includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, washing soap (3), bathing soap (4), Vaseline (4 small containers), toilet paper (4 rolls), handkerchiefs (2), socks (2 pair), and underwear (4 pair). The food basket costs $20. This will include items such as rice, beans, small fish, oil, sugar, etc. The contents may vary depending on the availability and specific family needs. To give one of these items, go to our Donate page.

Absolutely! You can send landscape photos, artistic pictures, pictures of your pets, your family and friends, etc. Please avoid sending pictures that may accentuate the economic differences between you and your child (e.g., homes, cars). It is important to be aware of what is in the photo’s background. If you happen to send a photo that the sponsorship coordinator feels is inappropriate, it will be returned to you.

Yes! There will be opportunities to visit your sponsor child if you wish to do so. For more information, contact UHU for details and information about upcoming trips which happen two or three times per year. We do not recommend making a trip to Rwanda to see your child on your own. This is for your own protection and the protection of the children.