Letter of the Month Club

 

Welcome to the Letter of the Month Club (LOTMC)!  This is a monthly feature on the blog that we hope will help you develop a deeper relationship with your sponsored child through letter-writing.  Since we are all in different stages of getting to know our sponsored kids, we have several suggested topics so that you can choose the one that works best for you and your sponsored child.  We have also provided suggestions for “extras” to send along with your letter, and questions to ask your sponsored child.

This Month’s Topics:

Getting to Know You: Your Pets

Tell your sponsored child about your pets (either those you have now or those you had growing up).  What types of animals do you have?  Do they live in the house?  What do you like to do with them?

Suggested Extras: A picture of your pet.

Questions to Ask: Have you ever had a pet?

Topic in Focus: Favorite and Least Favorite Subjects in School

What were your favorite and least favorite subjects in school?  What did you like/dislike about them?  Share any tips you have for excelling in a subject you dislike or find difficult.

Suggested Extras: Something that symbolizes your favorite class (a printout of a poem for literature, an article about a scientific discovery for science, etc).

Questions to Ask: What are you favorite and least favorite subjects?

Holiday/Seasonal: Summer traditions

What are your summer traditions?  Do you host barbeques, go to the beach, celebrate the Fourth of July (if you live in the US), go fishing, etc.?

Suggested Extras: A picture of you engaged in one of your summer traditions

Questions to Ask: What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?

Reminder: The purpose of the LOTMC is to facilitate getting more letters in the mail to our Nairobi Kids, so please do not get bogged down in worrying about writing the perfect letter or gathering the “extras.”  If you are short on time this month, just drop a postcard or greeting card in the mail with a few short lines to let your Nairobi Kids know that you are thinking of them.  

~Submitted by Brooke

Letter of the Month Club

 

Welcome to the Letter of the Month Club (LOTMC)!  This is a monthly feature on the blog that we hope will help you develop a deeper relationship with your sponsored child through letter-writing.  Since we are all in different stages of getting to know our sponsored kids, we have several suggested topics so that you can choose the one that works best for you and your sponsored child.  We have also provided suggestions for “extras” to send along with your letter, and questions to ask your sponsored child.

This Month’s Topics:

Getting to Know You: Your Education

Tell your sponsored child about your own education.  How is the educational system set up in your country (and how does it differ from Kenya’s).  Did you pursue education after secondary school?  What do you value most about your education?

Suggested Extras: A picture of you when you were in school; a sticker or other item with the logo of one of your alma maters.

Questions to Ask: How do you think that your education will change your future?

Topic in Focus: FIFA World Cup 2014

The FIFA World Cup kicks off June 12 in Brazil and goes through July 13.  Football (soccer in the U.S.) is extremely popular in Kenya and our Nairobi Kids will be very interested in the tournament.  Kenya’s national team did not qualify for this year’s World Cup, but they are certain to be following the action closely and would love any information on their sponsor’s national team.

Suggested Extras: News articles about your country’s national team (or the team you root for); FIFA World Cup trading cards (can be found at hobby stores).

Questions to Ask: Who do you hope wins the World Cup this year?  Do you have a favorite player?

Holiday/Seasonal: Flowers

What is your favorite flower?  What do you love about it?  Where does it grow and when does it bloom?

Suggested Extras: Picture or pressed flower (instructions here).

Questions to Ask: What is your favorite flower?

Reminder: The purpose of the LOTMC is to facilitate getting more letters in the mail to our Nairobi Kids, so please do not get bogged down in worrying about writing the perfect letter or gathering the “extras.”  If you are short on time this month, just drop a postcard or greeting card in the mail with a few short lines to let your Nairobi Kids know that you are thinking of them.  

~Submitted by Brooke

Letter of the Month Club

 

Welcome to the Letter of the Month Club (LOTMC)!  This is a monthly feature on the blog that we hope will help you develop a deeper relationship with your sponsored child through letter-writing.  Since we are all in different stages of getting to know our sponsored kids, we have several suggested topics so that you can choose the one that works best for you and your sponsored child.  We have also provided suggestions for “extras” to send along with your letter, and questions to ask your sponsored child.

This Month’s Topics:

Getting to Know You: Your Hobbies

Share your hobbies/interests with your sponsored child.  What do you like to do for fun?  How did you become involved in these activities?  How do your hobbies make you feel?

Suggested Extras: A picture of you engaged in your hobby; an article describing your hobby.

Questions to Ask: What do you like to do for fun?

Topic in Focus: Favorite Animal

What is your favorite animal?  What do you like about it?  Describe the animal to your sponsored child – habitat, size, notable features, diet, personality, etc.   

Suggested Extras: Picture of your favorite animal.

Questions to Ask: What is your favorite animal?  What do you like about it?

Holiday/Seasonal: Summer

What is summer like where you live?  How hot does it get (in Celsius)?  What are your favorite activities/family traditions in summer? 

Suggested Extras: Summer-themed stickers; balloons; articles on summer activities.

Questions to Ask: What do you like to do outside when the weather is warm?

Reminder: The purpose of the LOTMC is to facilitate getting more letters in the mail to our Nairobi Kids, so please do not get bogged down in worrying about writing the perfect letter or gathering the “extras.”  If you are short on time this month, just drop a postcard or greeting card in the mail with a few short lines to let your Nairobi Kids know that you are thinking of them.  

~Submitted by Brooke

Letter of the Month Club

 

Welcome to the Letter of the Month Club (LOTMC)!  This is a monthly feature on the blog that we hope will help you develop a deeper relationship with your sponsored child through letter-writing.  Since we are all in different stages of getting to know our sponsored kids, we have several suggested topics so that you can choose the one that works best for you and your sponsored child.  We have also provided suggestions for “extras” to send along with your letter, and questions to ask your sponsored child.

This Month’s Topics:

Getting to Know You: Your Occupation

What is your occupation (and that of your spouse, if applicable)?  What duties does your job entail?  How many years have you been working in your industry?  What education or training was required to obtain your position?  What is your favorite part of your job?  What is your least favorite part of your job?    

Suggested Extras: A printout describing your occupation or a picture of you at work.

Questions to Ask: Ask your sponsored child what job he/she would like to have.

Topic in Focus: Favorite Fable

What is your favorite fable?  Either summarize the story to your sponsored child or attach a printout.  Why did you choose this fable as your favorite?  What lessons can be taken from the fable?

Suggested Extras: Copy of the fable (click link for printouts of Aesop’s fables).

Questions to Ask: What did he/she think of the fable you chose?  Is there a way he/she can apply the lesson from the fable in his/her life?

Holiday/Seasonal: May Day/Labour Day

How is May Day (or Labour Day) celebrated in your country?  What will you and your family do to celebrate May Day?  If May Day is not celebrated in your country, discuss another May holiday that is (e.g., Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day).

Suggested Extras: Picture of a maypole dance; spring-themed stickers.

Questions to Ask: How is May Day or Labour Day celebrated in Nairobi?

Reminder: The purpose of the LOTMC is to facilitate getting more letters in the mail to our Nairobi Kids, so please do not get bogged down in worrying about writing the perfect letter or gathering the “extras.”  If you are short on time this month, just drop a postcard or greeting card in the mail with a few short lines to let your Nairobi Kids know that you are thinking of them.  

~Submitted by Brooke

Letter of the Month Club

Welcome to the Letter of the Month Club (LOTMC)!  This is a monthly feature on the blog that we hope will help you develop a deeper relationship with your sponsored child through letter-writing.  Since we are all in different stages of getting to know our sponsored kids, we have several suggested topics so that you can choose the one that works best for you and your sponsored child.  We have also provided suggestions for “extras” to send along with your letter, and questions to ask your sponsored child.

This Month’s Topics:

Getting to Know You: Your City or Town

What city or town do you live in?  Describe the area to your sponsored child.  Is it urban, suburban, or rural?  Do people live in apartments, houses, or high-rises?  What is the population?  What type of climate exists where you live?  What is your city or town known for?  Are there any tourist attractions or significant geographical features?  What leisure activities do people in your city or town enjoy?

Suggested Extras: Picture or postcard of your city or town.

Questions to Ask: Ask your sponsored child to describe Nairobi.

Topic in Focus: Random Acts of Kindness

Teach your sponsored child about random acts of kindness (RAK).  A RAK is a selfless act that a person undertakes to help another or make them happy.  In recent years, people all over the world have committed untold RAK in an attempt to make the world a better place, one small gesture of kindness at a time.  This month, perform three RAK in honor of your sponsored child, and write to them what they were and how performing them made you feel.  Ask your sponsored child to perform three RAK themselves.  Suggested RAK for our Nairobi Kids would include writing a note of appreciation to a teacher, giving an unexpected compliment, telling a classmate what they admire about them, offering help to someone in need, doing an extra chore at home without being asked, picking up trash, or telling a family member how much they love them.  RAK help teach kindness, consideration, and selflessness.  They also show that everyone has something of value to offer others.

Suggested Extras: Thank you card or stationary for your child to write a note to someone; stickers or another small gift for your child to give to another.

Questions to Ask: Ask your sponsored child to tell you what RAK they chose and how performing the RAK made them feel.

Holiday/Seasonal: Easter

How is Easter typically celebrated in your country?  Do you have any special Easter traditions?  What does Easter mean to you?

Suggested Extras: Easter card; stickers; Bible verses; Easter printable.

Questions to Ask: Ask how your sponsored child will be celebrating Easter?  What does Easter mean to him/her?

Reminder: The purpose of the LOTMC is to facilitate getting more letters in the mail to our Nairobi Kids, so please do not get bogged down in worrying about writing the perfect letter or gathering the “extras.”  If you are short on time this month, just drop a postcard or greeting card in the mail with a few short lines to let your Nairobi Kids know that you are thinking of them.  

~Submitted by Brooke