Dear Sponsor,

Technology is changing our world and even the poorest countries are reeling from the impact.  The possibility exists that your sponsor child has access to the internet and social networking sites, such as Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter, These sites can provide instant communication, however, this is one example where instant is not necessarily better. Such sites pose many risks and can lead to undesirable results for you and your sponsor child.

Proyecto Fe is following the example of other child sponsorship programs, such as Compassion International, by suggesting that your child’s safety and wellbeing, as well as your privacy and confidentiality, are best served if you avoid contact outside of the channels that Proyecto Fe provides.  We ask you to prayerfully consider the risks. Our experience with direct communication between sponsor and child lead us to provide the following cautions.

• Identity and Privacy Concerns: The person who contacts you may not actually be your child, but instead someone assisting or even an imposter who may attempt to take advantage of you.
• Language Barriers: Even if you can communicate in Spanish, remember that Spanish is your child’s second language. It is likely that your child’s Spanish communication skills are limited.  Miscommunication is likely.
• Program Process: Your sponsor child may not completely understand how the sponsorship programs are administered inviting misinformed conclusions.
• Cultural Differences: Your sponsor child may not understand our cultural or economic differences as they view your pictures or other unmonitored photos, jeopardizing their own culture and etiquette. Your sponsor child may see and learn things about your life that could confuse them or conflict with their own culture.
• Safety: Your contact with your sponsor child may encourage their use of a website where predators, pornography, and other dangers, may prey on your child and/or distort your intended communication.
• Integrity and Christian Values:There are inherent conflicts with maintaining our Christian values and instilling integrity in our children if we encourage participation in a website that can so easily cause problematic situations.

Please carefully consider these concerns. Proyecto Fe has always emphasized frequent, quality, and safe communication with your child. Remember that you CAN contact your child via our website. Visit www.proyectofe.organd click on the “Write your Child/Sponsor” button. You can write a letter to your child that will be carefully translated and delivered in a timely manner.  Should concerns arise regarding your child’s safety, or the accuracy of any information you receive, please contact Proyecto Fe. We sincerely thank you for your support, understanding, and help as we maintain the child sponsorship program as a conduit for the love of Christ through you to the children of Proyecto Fe.

In His Service,

Proyecto Fe Board of Directors