Yezelalem Minch: Sponsorship FAQs
- Letters and gifts:
- Can I send a letter to my child?
- What should I write about?
- Can I include gifts?
- Can I send a box or care package?
- How often will I hear from my child?
- Can I send my child a letter by email?
- Sponsorship Specifics:
- What does my sponsorship do?
- How much of my contribution actually goes to my child?
- Are there other ways to support Yezelalem Minch besides sponsorship?
- Payments:
- Who should I write checks to?
- Can I make automatic payments?
- Can I make my donations by credit card?
- Are my sponsorship payments tax-deductible?
- Can I give quarterly or annually instead of monthly?
- Other:
- How could I help Yezelalem Minch increase sponsorships?
Can I send a letter to my child?
Yes! Remember that your letter will probably need to be translated, so keep it brief and use simple, clear language. With your letter, be sure to clearly indicate your sponsored child’s name and sponsorship code – or attach one of the yellow cards from your sponsorship packet. Standard flat mail may be sent through HIM or directly to Ethiopia (flat mail postage is $1.05 and up):
|
HIM: Yezelalem Minch Sponsorships Helps International Ministries 573 Fairview Road Asheville, NC 28803 |
Ethiopia: Yezelalem Minch Children and Community Development PO Box 26952 Code 1000 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
What should I write about?
Tell about yourself, family, faith, sports, interests, the area where you live. Don’t focus on subjects related to wealth/possessions, or send photos that put expensive things like your house or car on display. Your child will write to you, too; ask questions about his or her interests!
Can I include gifts?
Photos, stickers, and other small items that fit in a regular envelope are great to include with your letter. Do not send cash, jewelry, electronics, or expensive-looking items. Flat, regular mail can be sent through HIM. If your envelope is too heavy for a 45¢ stamp, please send your letter directly to Ethiopia (see here). Unless it’s very bulky, your postage will probably be between $1-5.
Can I send a box or care package?
Special gifts for your child are not required nor expected, but certainly welcome. Please consider:
Prohibited items – Cash, electronics, and jewelry are among items that cannot be shipped into Ethiopia. Do not include such items in your package. Perishable items should also be avoided, as your package may take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to arrive.
Postage and purchasing costs – Mailing a package to Ethiopia may easily cost $40 or more, and Yezelalem Minch must also pay a fee to receive it. If the items you are sending are available to purchase in Ethiopia, they may even cost significantly less than they do here. It might be possible to arrange a gift purchase without mailing anything.
Appropriateness – Some gifts that are perfectly acceptable for children in the USA may not be as appropriate in Ethiopia. For example, art/painting kits may be useless or burdensome to a child who lives in a rough home with no running water. Similarly, makeup and nail polish may not be nearly as suitable for a young girl in Ethiopia as a girl in the United States. Even such practical items as toothbrushes may not be ideal for every child, depending on their living situation and potential health concerns.
Please feel free to contact us before sending a gift to your child. We can discuss appropriate gift ideas with the staff at Yezelalem Minch, and options best suited to your and your sponsored child’s individual situation.
How often will I hear from my child?
Children usually write letters to their sponsors four times per year. If you have not received anything for more than 6 months, please contact us so we can make sure we have your current mailing information recorded correctly.
Can I send my child a letter by email?
Yes! Just use our email contact form, and be sure to include your name along with your child’s name and sponsorship code. Do not expect a response from your child by email, but keep an eye out for your child’s written letters to arrive by mail.
What does my sponsorship do?
Your sponsorship donations allow Yezelalem Minch to provide care to the children registered in the program. To get an idea of what kind of assistance your child will receive, take a look at the general program description.
How much of my contribution actually goes to my child?
90% of your donation directly supports Yezelalem Minch. While your contribution is given in honor of your sponsored child, the funds are not a direct gift to your child but are used to support the program in providing his or her care. However, special gifts (which are not expected or required) can be given directly to your child. Please contact us if you would like to arrange such a gift.
Are there other ways to support Yezelalem Minch besides sponsorship?
Absolutely! For those who can’t commit to a child sponsorship but wish to support the program financially, one-time gifts of any amount are a great help in offsetting costs which aren’t being covered by existing sponsorships. Additionally, your prayers are one of the most valuable ways you can support the program. To receive program updates and prayer requests, please sign up here.
In addition to HIM, there are also several other non-profit organizations and volunteer groups who support Yezelalem Minch in various ways, including: Bethany Christian Services, Blue Nile Coffee Traders, and Future Hope Campaign. As an Ethiopian non-profit organization, Yezelalem Minch does not facilitate any kind of sales or profit-making business, but relies entirely on grants and donations from individuals, churches, and partner organizations to continue its work.
Who should I write checks to?
Make written checks payable to “HIM” and send them to:
573 Fairview Road
Asheville, NC 28803
Please include your child’s sponsorship code with your check, or attach one of the payment slips from your sponsorship packet. (If you don’t have a set of tear-off payment slips and would like one, just let us know!)
Can I make automatic payments?
Yes! You can set up automatic monthly withdrawals by sending us a signed form: Download and print here. Your account information will be secure, and you may change or discontinue your withdrawals at any time by contacting us.
Can I make my donations by credit card?
You make donate with your credit card or PayPal account on our website. If you wish to make a very large donation, we do prefer a mailed check for ease and relative cost of processing… but all donations are welcome!
Are my sponsorship payments tax-deductible?
HIM is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and you will receive donation receipts as well as a year-end giving statement for all contributions we receive from you. Your donations to Yezelalem Minch through HIM are tax-deductible in the United States to the extent allowed by federal and state law.
Can I give quarterly or annually instead of monthly?
You may send your contributions in any increment you prefer: monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or a full year at a time. However, automatic withdrawals can only be done on a monthly basis.
How could I help Yezelalem Minch increase sponsorships?
Please contact us! We can send you materials that you can give to friends, equip you to host a sponsor drive at your church/school/workplace, or simply help answer any questions you might have. If possible, please contact us at least 2-3 weeks in advance of an event so that we have enough time to organize and send materials to you.
