Email is the best way to communicate with your sponsored child.

Emails can be sent to kids@risingstaroutreach.org (your child's name in the subject line).  Your email will be translated into Tamil and given to your child. The children would all love to respond immediately, but since they are still learning computer skills and need help in formulating responses, we generally tell sponsors to expect a response quarterly. We require the children to respond in English as best they can. They love to share their enthusiasm for school, their latest acquired skill, their dreams, and their favorites (food, color, activity, friends, etc.) with their sponsors. A sponsor's interest in their lives gives them a sense of importance. As they get older, responses will be more immediate.

Note: While we encourage any sponsor who is interested in visiting India to do so, please do not encourage your sponsored child to come to America. Rising Star encourages the children to be proud of their Indian culture and heritage and to develop a sense of responsibility toward their own homeland.

What about birthdays and Christmas?

Each child's birthday is celebrated at Rising Star Outreach. If the parent is unsure of the birthday, we help them to come to a good close "guess". Birthday's provide an opportunity to spotlight a child. If the sponsor sends a monetary birthday donation, a gift is purchased for all the children to share. It is presented at the birthday celebration, in honor of the child. All the children's lives have been enriched by the giving of birthday donations. In the past this practice has provided big wheels, playground equipment, and other treats that would not normally be possible with the Childrens' Home budget. At Christmastime all donated Christmas money is collected and then, once again, items are bought for all the children. In the past these funds have provided sandals, educational materials, chairs, a TV for the home, and a hot water heater for the showers.

To send either a birthday or a Christmas donation in the name of the child you sponsor, you may contribute online (mark "birthday" to direct your donation) or send a check to:

Rising Star Outreach, 6241 Indian River Drive, Norcross, GA 30092-1350

Please include a note with the name of the child being honored and specify whether it is for a birthday gift or Christmas gift.