Sponsor a Child - which charity is best?

danielag

Please consider supporting http://duchennenow.org/ it is a terminal muscle wasting condition, this charity publishes its accounts, the only out goings are to just giving - almost every penny raised goes to fund research in to the condition x

Raksha

Lorne wrote: »

I sponsor via worldvision, seems to work well although I do agree with some of the other posts regarding the amount of mail received asking for money for urgent appeals and invitations to sponsor other children. Having said that I've not received any in over a month which is good going.

I did temp work at Worldvision for a month or so before Christmas a few years ago - what an eye opener! Many sponsors sent gifts for their children, if they did, they were put in a pile to be tapped for more money. Many of the gifts weren't appropriate (maps showing pakistan for children in India, socks, underwear etc.) A lot of money appeared to go on marketing. Staff had a weekly Christian Service in office time.

jason1231972

I sponsor a little girl in Afghanistan via ActionAid UK, for £15 per month. When I signed up a couple of years ago, I got the option of expressing a preference for the sex of the child, their location, etc., but I just let the organisation choose for me, as none of this mattered to me.

When my 'child' was allocated to me, though, I was glad to find she was an Afghani girl, due to the problems that still remain with girls' education there.

She's now in school, which as far as I can gather is where most of my donation goes. Some of the money also goes towards the child's wider community so that other local children are not 'left out'.

I get photos, drawings and very simple letters from her and her family every 6 months or so, and I have the option to write back (I don't, I remain anonymous and keep my distance).

The organisation discourages the sending of extra items like gifts, etc., because the areas in which their children live are so impoverished that even a small gift can 'single out' a child in their community.

sophiacaval

I find this website gift2help.com which they have great charity causes also.:T

For which I've known, I found out that Mr. Markus Striker owns this. He even joined the recent Virgin London Marathon for this cause. :A

These children that they have caused is Whizzkids United. Heard of them before? But they needed it. Markus is a good man.

We sure do hope that everybody can see this website and donate for the children. :j

heart_free

I've just sponsored a child through ActionAid. It was a decision I thought long and hard about and I chose them because not only are you the sole sponsor of your child, but I also support the other work they do.

What ever one you choose and use well done for doing such a great thing.

ladylouise62

I've used ActionAid for years - I like the way that they also put money towards things like a well in the village and training for the mothers, so the education of the kids is supported by general improvement in the village.

sophiacaval

My heartfelt thanks to heart_free and ladylouise62 for the quick response. I find ActionAid and I certainly find it interesting. Maybe I should donate to them and gift2help to. If ever I have more money to share with.

Again, thank you very much for the help!

heart_free

thats what I did at first sophiacaval, I'd been out of work for a while, so got involved with campaigning and things to begin with. It give me a good idea about what the charity was about. As soon as I got my new job I applied to sponsor a child, and hopefully will be able to do so for many years to come.

I'm also helping on the action aid stall at bristol harbour festival this month - a good excuse to chat to people all day :-)

LizMadeley

I know this thread is quite old now but I thought it was worth sharing something. I understand the concern not to force children into religion, but not all charities that have Christian roots automatically expect the children to be Christian too. World Vision was founded with this religion but it does not expect or enforce xtianity with the children. It's "non-evangelical".

I sponsor with World Vision and we receive regular letters from our sponsored girl, which the whole family look forward to and we will be sending her a Christmas card soon.

I would also advise to think about the commitment you are making - if it seems to good to be true it probably is. If the charity is only asking for £3 a month, does that really sound like enough to provide everything they need!

Thanks, I will get off my soapbox now!

heretolearn_2

A quick point on charities admin costs using an example already given. Heal. While I'm not criticising their intent, using only volunteers without sufficient expertise has resulted in their producing accounts that are purely business accounts, and not compliant charity accounts. With their level of income they are legally required to have an Independent examination done annually, which forms part of the accounts, and they have failed to do so.
So they may have low costs, but they are not compliant with UK Charity law and there are no checks in place for their financial affairs.
It's not hard to find out what a charity is required to do - the Charity Commission has plenty of guidance on their website - so to me this shows a lack of interest in doing things properly. Which makes them a charity I would not support.