One of the most valuable gifts we can give these children is the hope provided by regular correspondence and intentional efforts to build relationships. We try to make sure every orphan receives a letter every 1-2 months. Children’s HopeChest provides the translators and the delivery of the letters for us. All we have to do is write.

You don’t have to sponsor a child to write!  You can come an join us at a letter writing party or write one on your own and get it to us. The more contact we can have with these children, the more hope we can give them.

If you do sponsor a child, emails are the most efficient and effective way to get them a timely letter.  Click on this LINK: you will need to fill in the following: child’s name (first and last name or last initial if you don’t have the full name; child’s location (Slobodskoy Orphanage, Kirov); child’s reference number; sponsor’s email and sponsor’s name. There is a space for writing your message and a place where you can attach a photo. Be sure to “click” Send after you are done. It’s as simple as that!

For handwritten letters to Slobodskoy Orphanage, please mail to:  Children’s HopeChest, P.O. Box 63842, Colorado Springs, CO 80962-3842. The letters should also include your child’s first name and “Slobodskoy orphanage” on the letter (putting Slobodskoy Orphanage is very critical on handwritten letters!). And you should include the child’s full name and reference number on the envelope.

Here are some letter writing guidelines courtesy of Children’s HopeChest:

Letter Writing Guidelines

To benefit the children

• Correspond at least once every three months with your sponsored child. Our suggestion is: One letter, One page in length, Once a month.
• Tell them about things you enjoy doing in your spare time.
• Tell them about your job, school and family.
• Share your dreams for your future.
• Tell them about your hobbies and interests.
• Tell them about interesting places you have visited.
• Include pictures of your family and about your life.

To protect the child and yourself

• We are restricted right now to NOT discuss religion with the children. This is a byproduct of Russian policy, not aimed at us, but we must abide by it to preserve our relationship with the children.
• Don’t send gifts. (A birthday and Christmas gift for your child is provided by the monthly sponsorship funds.)
• Don’t promise anything you can’t keep. This includes mentioning that you’d like to visit ‘sometime.’ To a lonely child this means you are coming in the next few weeks.
• Don’t make any type of suggestion that you may want to adopt them or bring them to the US.
• Don’t give personal mailing information or phone numbers for your privacy.
• Don’t share personal financial information with them.

Letter writing to the children is one of the most critical aspects of our ministry at Mission 1:27.