NEW - Pl@n Postbox available now!
Faster, easier, greener - our new online Plan Postbox is now LIVE! The Plan Postbox allows you to say 'hello' to your sponsored child today safely and securely, thus reducing postage and delivery costs, administration resources and enables you to attach images to share with your sponsored child.
For many sponsors writing is a wonderful part of sponsorship. For many it’s the reason they decided to sponsor a child.
Correspondence gives sponsors the chance to build a friendship, an opportunity to learn about a culture through the eyes of their sponsored child and their family and community and also allows them to share in their achievements, pastimes, education and much more. It also allows you to see the difference that Plan, with your support, is making.
Why not ask questions in your email? It may make it easier for them to write back? You could ask about their school, their favourite subjects and games, their family or what they want to be when they grow up. They will also be keen to hear about your life, family and daily routines. Share what you feel comfortable with.
And remember, “a picture says a thousand words” so why not attach a photograph or image with your message and we will send on with your message as soon as possible.
What happens next?
- All emails and attachments will be printed off by Plan Ireland staff, vetted in line with our child protection policy and sent to your sponsored child as soon as possible.
- If required, they will be translated on your behalf and delivered directly to your sponsored child through our global network of community volunteers.
- Please note that letter writing may be a new experience to some of our sponsored children and they may not have a history of letter writing in their area. Therefore, if you don’t get answers to your questions first time please be patient and try again in another letter.
Remember:
- Do NOT to include your address or email address in the body of the email. (Your email address will be automatically removed when sent to us. This is to protect your details and is in line with Plan Ireland's strict child and data protection policies).
- Receiving a response from your sponsored child may take some time. Plan staff and community volunteers ensure your message is delivered to your sponsored child. However, reaching some communities can involve a long journey by bicycle, boat, foot or even donkey! The village may be 200 miles or so from the field office, which can be a day's journey, or more. Once the letter is delivered and a response penned, it then takes the same journey in reverse, so the time span between you writing your letter and receiving a reply can be up to six months. If you haven't heard anything after six months and you are getting concerned, please do let us know and we will look into it.
- Corresponding with your sponsored child, while encouraged, is not obligatory, so only share what you feel comfortable with.
- If you have any questions in relation to corresponding to your sponsored child, please call us here in the office on 01-6599601.
