World Vision

Scooby64

I thought hard before deciding to post this because I don't want to dissuade anyone from supporting the important work which World Vision do.

If like me, you sponsor a child through them, you will have received a letter telling you that from next month they are increasing the money they take from you by £4.80 per month (a 27% increase) :eek:

As you ponder the increase and the fact that it was imposed with no discussion or consultation, consider also that their Chief Executive personally took an 8.3% pay rise last year to £93,263 and that the Directors increased the contributions made to their pensions by a further 16%

I leave you to conclude where the money is being spent :mad:

Source Accounts p42 on their web site

oldtoolie

If World Vision simply sent you a letter announcing that your direct debit would be increased -- who do they think they are -- the electric company?

Personally, I wouldn't support World Vision -- a bit too evangelical Christian for me and the concept of individual child sponsorship is not a good model for helping poor communities to develop.

On the other hand, World Vision is a £60 million a year organisation so perhaps a salary for the chief executive that matches many a head teacher or local authority boss might be in order. No doubt a person who can successfully run an international organisation that size could multiply their salary several times by switching to the business sector.

jonesMUFCforever

If It was me I would cancel my direct debit payment.
Charities and businesses need to to be taught it is much easier to lose loyal customers than recruit new ones.

SueMaggie

I had that letter too, but it says that if you don't want them to increase the monthly Direct Debit amount you can ring them on a freephone number and tell them you don't want them to make the change.

If you're happy with the change then the letter says to do nothing and they'll raise the amount collected each month.

So there is an opt out.

Plus there's the usual over-riding opt out of cancelling your Direct Debit and donating your money elsewhere if you're not happy with how the charity is being operated.

Pipcola

Don't often post but with regard to World Vision we helped support a child through them for about 9 years then they decided to no longer support anyone in Cambodia. We cancelled with them and saved an amount that we then 'invested' in Kiva - https://www.kiva.org - what a wonderful organisation and your money keeps revolving and getting spent on various projects

Scooby64

Pipcola wrote: »

We cancelled with them and saved an amount that we then 'invested' in Kiva - www.kiva.org - what a wonderful organisation and your money keeps revolving and getting spent on various projects

Thanks so much - only had a quick look but it definately looks like something I'd want to support. Microfinance has ultimately got to be better than just "aid" - do you find that the loans get repaid? (not that it matters except that if the loan is repaid and you continue to "donate" the work it can do will snowball

Savvy_Sue

World Vision did not have permission to post (see the Forum Rules). I've asked the Forum Team to look at subsequent posts in this thread.

Pipcola

Scooby64 wrote: »

Thanks so much - only had a quick look but it definately looks like something I'd want to support. Microfinance has ultimately got to be better than just "aid" - do you find that the loans get repaid? (not that it matters except that if the loan is repaid and you continue to "donate" the work it can do will snowball

Never had a default. I believe this is partly due to 'the people on the ground' but also the fact that those that benefit realise that they can ask for further help and that most money is re-invested in others in a similar situation

Scooby64

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

World Vision did not have permission to post (see the Forum Rules). I've asked the Forum Team to look at subsequent posts in this thread.

That's a bit unfair - I do think this is a legitimate issue which clearly is of concern to others too, but I think WorldVision should have a means to also put their case. I have no gripe with them (just their cack-handed handling of this issue). Nor did they deny the facts or offend me with their response.

It's a shame that a forum like this can't be used for good where both sides can put their position and leave (now informed) readers to reach their own decisions.

Still - the info on Kiva was useful, so something good did come from it:D

Incidentally, I started by reporting my own post since I felt it only fair to allow MSE to decide if this was a fair topic for the boards. Having allowed it to go forward, WorldVision should have the opportunity for their reply which (although I didn't agree with it) I found to be reasonable.

Savvy_Sue

WV do have the right of reply, but they need to do it in accordance with The Rules.

Scooby64

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

WV do have the right of reply, but they need to do it in accordance with The Rules.

OK that's a fair point - I hope they do make their reply in the correct way. Although I'm very anoyed about their approach (and felt that others should be aware incase they didn't read the letter properly and found extra money was just being taken from them), they do good work and I don't want to harm their support.

I'll make 2 final observations on the subject then I'm done.

1. The email I sent direct to them went unanswered but they quickly posted a reply on MSE - that says a lot for the power of public debate

2 They just sent me an email asking me to vote online for what video should go into their next advert. I'd like to think (but I suspect not) that they have learned from this experience and plan to involve sponsors more in decisions. Perhaps next time they'll ask supporters to vote on increasing their sponsorship - at least with a majority they could show that they had consulted and were following the wishes of most sponsors