Cynthia Ahmar ([info]subaru_san) wrote in [info]childsponsors,
@ 2008-02-08 11:31:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Current mood: complacent
Current music:Yasashii Yoake (Gentle Dawn), by See-Saw (.hack//SIGN)

My sponsored children
Hello,

My name is Cynthia, I just joined this community. I've been with LJ for a while but started sponsorship a few months back, when I saw a commercial for it on TV. I had seen it a few times before, and had considered it, and finally made the decision then. I live in Canada, Quebec, Montreal and am 27. I sponsor two children from Columbia.





This is Aleidis Maria. She is 7 and lives with her mother. Her father, sadly, abandoned the family. She has a younger brother who is 6, called Juan. Her favorite school subject is art and she is talented at sports, playing volleyball. Her family gets $50 a month. She helps out at home with sweeping and general housework chores.




This is Colin. He is 5 and lives with both his parents. He has a younger brother of 2, called Breiner, an older sister of 7, called Maryulyn, and an older brother of 11, called Jordan. His favorite subjects in school are grammar and mathematics, and his hobbies are playing with cars and toys. He likes dancing. His family's monthly income is $128. He doesn't have any chores because he is too young.


I have not yet written to them because frankly, I don't really know where to start. Any tips in that regard would be appreciated. ^_^

Aside from that, I was wondering if anyone else here lives in Canada? If so, have you been able to get a tax deductible for your donations to Children International? I've always wondered if there was a way to do it.


(Post a new comment)


[info]bloria
2008-02-08 11:35 pm UTC (link)
Congratulations on your sponsorship! I sponsor two children through Children International as well :)

In my first letters I just talked about myself, my family, hobbies, my job, etc. Then I asked them a few basic questions about themselves that would give them something to respond to.

Good luck, I'm sure you will enjoy your new friendships!

(Reply to this)


[info]arisha
2008-02-09 08:56 am UTC (link)
Welcome to the community! :)

I live in Canada and I sponsor through Children International, it's nice to see I'm not the only one! To be honest though, I haven't yet tried to get a tax deductible ... the impression I got was that it wouldn't be possible, but I'm not really sure. When you received your sponsorship packages, was there a little brochure inside, I think it's red and white with maybe a maple leaf on the front, titled something like "Information for Canadian Sponsors"? That's the most information I've seen on the topic. If you haven't received one of these brochures, let me know and I can type out what they say. :)

And your sponsored children are so adorable! I definitely encourage you to write to them. bloria's suggestions are good. I try not to talk about things that cost a lot of money, but I talk about my friends, my family, a little bit about where I live and the like. I always try to include some words of encouragement as well. :)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]subaru_san
2008-02-09 09:11 pm UTC (link)
I did get it. I thought perhaps someone who'd been sponsoring for longer than me would have found a way to do it. It isn't really fair that it can't be done. :(

Thanks, I will try it. ^_^

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]beautyimagined
2008-02-11 07:54 pm UTC (link)
anytime you donate money in canada you can get a tax refund of sorts, call children international so they provide you with the proper papers to show how much money you've donated. when you fill out your tax forms there's a place to list donations contributed.

as for writing letters, just talk about the simple basics so they get an idea of who you are -your age, job, what you like to do, your favorite food or hobby...things that they can relate too. it's always good to ask questions about what they like, as it gives them something to talk about when they write back

good luck and happy sponsoring!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]subaru_san
2008-02-11 11:52 pm UTC (link)
Yeah but I thought there was something about if you lived in Canada and donated to a US company, you couldn't declare it as tax deductible.

And thanks for the tips. ^_^

(Reply to this) (Parent)
tax deductions
[info]delia66
2008-04-15 10:51 pm UTC (link)
Hello, Cynthia

I am a Canadian too, I live in Cumberland, Ontario, near Ottawa. I sponsor a 5 year old girl from Guatemala through children International. I have tried submitting a receipt of my donations for tax purposes, but it was rejected.

I like sponsoring through Children International because you can send extra money for birthdays, etc., but I wish the donations were tax deductible. I'm a senior living on a reduced pension and sure could use the break.

I write to Juana about 4 times a year, send birthday and Christmas cards, plus little books, stickers, colouring pages or paper dolls whenever I write. Since she is not in school yet, her mother writes to me.

I also sponsor a 12 year old girl through Plan Canada, and sponsored a boy from the Philippines through World Vision. Eric graduated from the plan a couple of years ago.

(Reply to this)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…