February is Donor Love Month here at Plan International — a time to celebrate the appreciation we have for our incredible supporters who are the heart of our organization. Without your support, none of our work would be possible.
Today, we’re highlighting a dedicated sponsor named Sue from Washington who is crafting unique connections with her sponsored children around the world.
Sue first became a sponsor when she was in her mid-20s, sponsoring a child from Nepal. At that time, our name was Foster Parents Plan. She went on to sponsor girls and boys from Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
“I loved getting responses back from them, and because it was pre-internet, it was black and white photos and hand typed letters on lightweight ‘air mail’ stationery,” Sue shares. “I had no children of my own, then and now, so I had the time to dedicate to corresponding with them.”
After retiring, Sue reconnected with Plan. This time, she wanted to do even more — she now sponsors over a dozen girls ranging in age from 2 to 14, from all over the world.
“I made the recent decision to do as much good as possible to bring a small bit of hope and joy to girls in places where it’s sorely needed,” Sue says. “I’ve added more children as I’ve watched the world become harsher and more difficult for so many. With climate change, political instability, post-pandemic issues, wars and hunger rampant in the world, I wanted to be a tiny part of the solution rather than a deer in the headlights.”
For Sue, the personal connection is still the most rewarding part of sponsorship, and she looks forward to receiving letters and photos from her sponsored children.
“Also, when I write to them and especially when I make something for them, it fills me with joy and a sense of purpose,” Sue says.
Sue started creating small homemade dolls to send to her sponsored children, each one uniquely designed with a particular child in mind. “I also make clothespin dolls, friendship bracelets, knitted tiny purses and little zippered pouches,” she says. “Most everything is made from recycled, upcycled and repurposed materials.”
Sue loved this creative outlet so much that she even created her own Etsy store. But the gifts that she makes for her sponsored children have a special place in her heart.
“I’m an artist and a crafter so it’s fun to make little gifts that bring joy,” Sue says.
Read more: Meet former sponsored child Thoko
When you sponsor a child, you have the opportunity to develop a meaningful connection with a determined girl or boy, while helping to improve the community and resources surrounding them. And, you join a global community of a million sponsors working together to create a brighter future.
This February, we celebrate sponsors like Sue, who make this critical work possible. Thank you for all that you do. Together, we won’t stop fighting until we’re all equal.
