At World Vision, letters are more than history

 With the continuous rise of new and various forms of communication, some believe that letters are about to become part of history. Facebook, e-mail, WhatsApp and Skype (among others) have instead become the most common tools of communication between people. In World Vision, however, in the nearly 100 countries it operates in, letters continue to be the only channel of direct communication between sponsors and their sponsored children.

Rami Zoueini, a sponsorship programme specialist at World Vision Lebanon, explains that through these letters, sponsored children have the opportunity to represent their communities and share with the sponsors. “Informing the sponsor about the community’s needs and how it is improving through the support of the sponsor is part of the child’s role as an ambassador,” says Zoueini, adding that those letters not only help the sponsor understand the community through the lens of the child, but also gives children the opportunity of building a real friendship with someone who is contributing to their lives and their community, leading to a transformation in the lives of the two.

In Marjeyoun ADP (located in Southern Lebanon), there are 2,500 sponsored children. “There are some sponsors who have been sending to children letters for years due to their strong passion to get to know the child and the community,” says Najib Swidan, a sponsorship officer.

Petra, 18, and Reem, 22, are now young ladies. Both of them have been receiving letters from their sponsors in Malaysia for 11 years—correspondence that influenced their lives in similar, and different, ways.

 Petra, inspired by her sponsor’s profession

“My sponsor used to write: What would you like to be in the future? My answer was always ‘a doctor,’” she remembers. “But, I was very confused. I did know which specialization to choose, until I saw a picture of her, as a dentist. I liked the idea, and I decided to study dentistry too,” says Petra, who is now in her first year at university.

 The communication between Petra and her sponsor started when she was 7 years old. Today, she is 18. They still talk, as frequently like before. As Petra shares, each letter focuses on a specific topic: food, the weather, general life topics, etc... One thing, however, that does not change is that her sponsor always asks about her education. “Having someone worried about my future and dreaming with me made me more motivated to continue my education,” says Petra.

During the week, Petra lives in Beirut, near her university. She comes back to her home in Marjeyoun (in Southern Lebanon) only on the weekends. The first thing she asks her parents when she arrives is if there is a new the letter from her sponsor!

The garden in front of her house is Petra's favourite place. Since she was a child, she has enjoyed sitting here to read the letters she receives from her sponsor.

“I never met my sponsor,” says Petra. “I bet she is a supportive and educated person; full of information in every field, in every topic,” she says. “I am attached to our conversations. I love reading and writing. I believe that they are the most beautiful forms of communication. And, in this era of prominent technology, I love to keep using letters,” she adds.

Petra describes her sponsor as: “a close friend from a different country, whom I feel happy to talk to, although I never seen her.”

Reem, a future engineer, like her sponsor

Like Petra, Reem began communicating with her sponsor 11 years ago, at the age of 10. “I feel unique because I have someone special in my life, a friend who really cares about me,” she says. “No one knows about that friendship except me,” she adds.

Reem is currently studying chemical engineering at a university far away from her village; so she visits her parents’ on weekends only.  Like Petra, the first thing she asks when she returns home is if there is a new letter from her sponsor.  “I feel that there is something wrong or missing if I do not hear from her,” says Reem.

Although she didn’t do so consciously, Reem believes that her decision to study engineering was likely influenced by the relationship she has with her sponsor, an engineer.

Reem is not the only one who has been influenced by her sponsor’s communication, her family has as well. “I wish Reem’s sponsor would visit Lebanon,” Tareize, her mother says. “I would love to host her.”

When asked what stayed in her memory from of all those letters during the 11 years, Reem answers:

“What I still remember is her concern for me. She always asks about my education, and I share with her all the ups and downs I have passed through. I remember that she always takes time for herself; for spending her vacations in new countries… I remember all the photos she has shared about the historical sites [she has visited]. I remember the achievements she has had. She is a successful engineer and this gives an incentive to become a successful engineer too,” she adds.

Reem’s parents believe that this relationship is enriching for her. “It is really nice to have an inter-cultural dialogue through these letters, we encourage that,” Tareize says.

Petra and Reem still have all the letters and photos they have received over the past 11 years; both wish they could meet their sponsors in person, and both hope their relationships will be able to continue.