CHILD WELCOME LETTER Please create your child’s welcome letter in word document format.

Each host family should create a welcome letter to introduce themselves to their hosted child(ren).

The letters are then given to the children prior to arrival to ease some of their apprehension by allowing them to see the great family they will spend time with during their holiday.

IDEAS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR LETTER:Welcome letters are sent electronically – please do not mail letters to P143 or your host child will not receive a welcome letter.

A brief introduction to your family, names, ages, hobbies, & interests. State your excitement to meet him/her/them. Mention one or two things that you plan to do with the child(ren). Insert digital photos through out your letter or add all the photos at the end of the letter. Photos to include: family, home, front or backyard, host child’s bedroom, household pets. Label each photo with simple words. Do NOT refer to yourselves as Mom, Dad, etc. Instead, use Host Family, Host Mom, Host Dad, etc.

ONLY 1 PAGE PER HOST CHILD! Please do not send more than 1 page, otherwise your letter will be edited to reduce its size.

o If hosting siblings, you may provide a letter for each child OR you may use the same letter for all.o If hosting unrelated children, please provide a letter for each child.

TRANSLATION:While not required, if you are able to have your letter translated, either by a friend or online translator such as google translate (https://translate.google.com), it is very helpful and greatly appreciated. :)

THINGS TO REMEMBER: Do NOT focus on THINGS or SIZE of homes. FOCUS on children, family, things you plan to do as a family. The goal is not to impress, but to provide love and comfort to a child. Consider the age of your child, and write accordingly. Always “reverse translate” if using Google Translate to assure your words translate accurately. If your child does not receive a letter, he/she/they will be left out of one of the fun parts of the trip - anticipation

of their family.

IMPORTANT: How To Save Your Child’s Welcome LetterCOUNTRY-HOST CHILD-FAMILY NAME-LANGUAGE.docx

FOR EXAMPLE:If JOHN SMITH were hosting ALEX from RUSSIA the saved word document welcome letter entitled:

RUSSIA-ALEX-SMITH FAMILY-ENGLISH.docx (English copy)RUSSIA-ALEX-SMITH FAMILY-RUSSIAN.docx (translated copy)

PLEASE DO SEND BOTH THE TRANSLATED and ENGLISH COPIESThis makes it simple for our representatives to assure your welcome letter goes to the RIGHT COUNTRY and CORRECT

CHILD.

Pleases e-mail your child welcome letters to:LatviA Latvia Admin Coordinator: VICKIE SWANSON vickie@p143.org (231) 638-0847

UKRAINE Ukraine Admin Coordinator: KATHY WATKINS kathy@p143.org (702) 686-3684KYRGYZSTAN Kyrgyzstan Admin Coordinator: STACEY FANNING stephanie@p143.org (216) 513-5855

2