world vision? anyone??

Isatou

I have been very interested reading the above comments, as I run a small charity myself (www.fobbschool.co.uk) which supports a school in The Gambia, West Africa. We run a sponsoring scheme, which costs £5 per month or £60 per year per child. Half of the sponsorship money goes directly to the child's family (for uniform, books etc) and the other half to the school, which helps towards paying the teachers salaries etc. I visit every year (twice if I can afford - and ALL costs whether it be for airfares or for postage of letters are borne by myself) and spend most of my time in the school, with the children and often meet the sponsored children's parents - and they are so grateful for the opportunity for their child to go to school - it is really humbling for me. Yes, the teachers do help the children/parents to write the letters to sponsors, as English is not their first language, but we always try to do an activity with them, such as drawing pictures, to send to their sponsors in the UK, together with a photograph. So, what I would say to anyone thinking about sponsoring a child, is, yes, go ahead - its great to have that personal link, but be careful which organisations you choose. Find out exactly what you are getting for your money, how much of your money actually gets to the child, and avaoid any charities that keep bombarding you for more money - after all, you've already made a commitment to help a child. On another related subject, I used to support IFAW, until they kept sending me 'free' pens, birthday cards etc - which of course are not free.............my subscription was helping to pay for them!

fluffalo

EmmaJ wrote: »

I would like to sponsor a child through Plan if I can afford it - however I can't see on their website anywhere how much they ask for, without putting my details in first. How much is it to sponsor a child? Or can someone post the link if I'm being really blind!!!??

There was a Plan International leaflet in this week's 'Big Issue' and it starts at 12 pounds a month.

greytdog_2

i used to sponsor children through both plan and world vision - the sponsorship was very good but i had to stop due to lack of finances. The only down thing i would say is that world vision alternative gifts dont actually buy what they say the money just gets pooled into the pot and used where necessary. I am not sure how i feel about this as if you think you are buying a goat for a family in africa or similar and find it is being spend elsewhere. This info came from them directly as i phoned an asked when a colleague at work made me wonder. I suppose that the money is ultimately being used where they think it is needed most though.

jay316_2

Its probably worth mentioning that with World Vision - you don't actually sponsor a child. They sell it to youas youarre phsically sponsoring a child, but in essence, the money always goes where the need is greatest. So your money probably never goes anywhere near the child you think it does. Not that this is a problem, as you'd expect money to go where need is greatest - so why get so caught up over a specific child??

fattyrae1

I sponsor a young girl called Grace in Malawi. I have nothing but positives from World Vision. I pay £18 a month, which is nothing despite my husband being on a low wage and i have just been laid off.

She sends me cards and letters and i have a picture of her among my family photos. I cannot recommend World Vision enough. I have nothing negative to say about them at all.

Merry Christmas.
X

joyjoy5

I'm temporarily working for World Vision and I'd like to clear up some crossed wires - you DO sponsor an actual child and the 4 pounds 50 pence donation that sponsors are asked for at Christmas is for the cost of sending the Christmas card to the child, and buying a small gift in the child's country (to encourage the economy there) for them. Anything in addition to that 4.50 is put into a general fund - unless stated by you! So if you state on the coupon or on a little note or letter that you want your extra 10 pounds / 20 pounds / 50 pounds etc to go specifically to your child's family or their project - it WILL. Same for the birthday card, the 3 pounds is to cover the cost of the card and this year, the coloured pencils that were also included in the imaginative football card/game.

As for the Alternative Gifts - those really do buy a goat or a llama as advertised in the catalogue. However, on the Christmas donation coupon, there is a box that you can tick that says, for example, 12 pounds will buy a meal for 70 children - THIS is just an example of what your money could buy and this money DOES go into a general pool and is used where needed.

Merry Christmas btw! :A