About Angels Of Hope
Every child is a precious gift from God – especially vulnerable children who long to know that they are not forgotten. They need angels here on earth to watch over them and ensure their needs are met.
That’s why the Angels Of Hope program was created. For many years, big-hearted donors like you have supported the most vulnerable children in the Caribbean and Latin America; fueled by the idea that every child needs and deserves love, support and guidance.
The program reaches thousands of precious children in eight countries. Compassionate donors like you support Angels Of Hope children’s homes in El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica and Nicaragua.
Through dedicated care and prayer, the course of these precious children’s futures are changed, releasing them from devastating poverty and helping to mold them into healthy adults.
Will I be able to correspond with my child?
Corresponding with your child is a special way to build that lasting bond and relationship. Your sponsored child will correspond with you twice a year, and you will have an opportunity to write back at those times. Please include your child’s first name* and correspondence # on all letters, cards, etc. to ensure they are delivered to the right child.
Children who are too young to write will send a handprint or drawing. Your sponsored child will eagerly anticipate a letter or any form of correspondence from you. Even sending photographs of your family life or a postcard with a caring note can lift your child’s spirits and become a meaningful experience for him or her. If you prefer, you can submit a letter to your child online at: www.foodforthepoor.org/write.
* Using only the child’s first name protects the identity and adds security for underage children.
Can I send gifts to my sponsored child?
As part of your Angels Of Hope sponsorship, the children’s home where your sponsored child lives will help celebrate your child’s birthday as well as Christmas — two special occasions in every child’s life. You can help celebrate your sponsored child’s Christmas and birthday by sending a donation to make these events even more festive at your child’s home. (We’ll send you reminders at the appropriate times each year.)
Please do not send packages or any physical gifts such as toys, stuffed animals, books, etc. These types of items incur additional costs to deliver. In addition, sending packages in the mail internationally can incur customs fees that the children’s home would have to pay before they can collect the gift.
You may send additional gifts to your sponsored child, but they should be small, paper items attached to your letter that will fit into the envelope. Please include child’s first name and correspondence # on all additional gifts. For example, bookmarks, cards, stickers, pictures of you and your family, etc., are fun, easy to send and help forge the bond between you and your sponsored child.
Why does my child’s bio have only his age and not his birth date?
Many of our children do not have legal documents, such as a birth certificate. Oftentimes, children born to impoverished families may not have ever had a birth certificate, or it was lost along the way. As a result, many of the children’s ages are estimated when they arrive to the homes. As the children receive proper nutrition and care, it may turn out that they are in fact older than initially estimated. Therefore, program-wide, we feature ages (which are sometimes only estimates), and not birthdays.
Can I send my child a birthday present?
Included as part of your sponsorship is a birthday gift for your sponsored child. Each home has its own way of celebrating birthdays. Some homes host one party per month for all the children celebrating birthdays, while others may do something special on each individual day. Through your sponsorship, we send funding to the homes for the children’s birthdays. So you are already sending them a birthday present!
Why do I only use my child’s first name in my letters?
Using only the child’s first name protects their identity and adds security for underage children.
What happens if my child leaves the home?
If your sponsored child leaves the home, whether he or she is adopted, moves in with relatives, or becomes an adult, you will be notified and invited to sponsor another child.
Why automatic withdrawals?
By reducing our processing and postage costs, automatic withdrawals allow more of your donation to go toward supporting your sponsored child. Automatic withdrawals are also more convenient and free you from writing checks and stuffing envelopes.
Will I be able to select my child?
All children in this program need and deserve the love and support of an Angel Of Hope. In an effort to be as fair and helpful as possible, we prayerfully select a child for you based on greatest need. This method of selection not only allows us to meet the greatest needs first, it also reduces our administrative expenses by not having to match requested criteria to a particular child.
If your sponsored child leaves their home to live with relatives or because he or she has reached adulthood, you will be notified and given the opportunity to sponsor another child.
What are the homes like?
We select homes that have established themselves as trusted, respected and ethical institutions. We take our time to develop a relationship and an understanding of each home before we invite them to participate in the Angels Of Hope program. These homes help children grow and develop mentally and physically in a loving environment. Our coordinators regularly visit and communicate with each home to ensure we are aware of their needs and able to provide them with the best support possible.
Each home is different and serves a different population of children. Some homes maintain a school on the same property, while others have beautiful farms or vocational training programs. Children come to our Angels Of Hope program from different family backgrounds. Some children live at the homes during the week, receiving an education on scholarship and a stable living environment that their parents cannot afford. Other children may have been placed in the home by local governing authorities because of alleged neglect or abuse. Still others might be truly orphaned, while some have been abandoned and have no relatives able to care for them. The Angels Of Hope program works to supply the necessary resources so that each home’s staff is able to provide a high, integrated quality of care. But even in the best environment, all children want to know that someone has a special place in their heart just for them. That’s what you can do. You are their Angel!.
A note about adoptions …
Food For The Poor is not a licensed adoption agency, and this program should in no way be construed as an adoption opportunity.