soapdragon Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 Having thought about this for a while I would like to sponsor two children (one for each of my boys!) so that Nat and Nicholas can be involved with another child less fortunate and correspond with them too - same age, if poss. However, there so seem to be a number of options out there and I know that we need to make absolutely the right decision from the start as, as far as I am concerned, its a long term commitment. Does anyone on the forum have any experience of sponsoring a child abroad? Not really concerned as to country....need is more important and I'd like the boys to have a dialogue with the child as well. However, as we are not regular church attenders, I don't want the sponsorship to involve this - no offence but its just how we are!!! Any help much appreciated!!! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 Hi, we have sponsored a child for a long time with world vision (Actually its the 3rd child as a new details are sent if they leave the area, grow up etc)) They send you cards to fill in for birthdays and christmas and you can write as often as you like..... My children are also involved and I feel its very worthwhile...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted June 3, 2015 Author Share Posted June 3, 2015 Thanks for that, Helen. Is it a two way communication? My boys have so much compared to others around the world that I'd really like the sponsored child/ren to communicate with my two!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 I used to sponsor a little girl in Uganda. Her name was Rebecca, and I was drawn to her as that was the same name as my little sister who died. I started sponsoring her when she was 7. I would have letters and school reports for her twice a year and photos. I felt very invested in her life. I was allowed to send Christmas and birthday presents and also bought her a new mattress once when I was asked by the charity. Her parents had both died for AIDS but amazingly she wasn't HIV positive! She decided at 11 that she wanted to be a doctor so she could help others. I was proud of her. Then when she turned 14 I had a letter that broke my heart. Apparently some wealthy American business man had gone to Uganda, had taken a shine to her, and wanted to take over sponsorship, including paying for a private education to help her realise her dreams. the letter just said "Your sponsorship for Rebecca is no longer required but you can choose another child". I didn't want another child, I wanted Rebecca. When I questioned the reason why, I was told about the business man. The extra sponsorship would have cost me an extra £20 a month to cover her education. Had they asked me, I'd have given it, as I had 7 years of building a relationship with this child. When I was told that wasn't an option the whole thing left me jaded and I didn't sponsor another child afterwards. So be prepared for that kind of eventuality. I'd happily give as a one off to those types of charities, but I'd never sponsor another child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 Gosh Space Chick that was not good treatment. We sponsor through Action Aid and have been doing it regularly since our kids were small about 30 years. The person has changed many times and was a lady with young family at one stage. We get updates and in the past wrote back but think you were discouraged from sending things to individual as if only one got it was unfair. I felt it was good for children as what they spent on comics,sweets etc was actually educating a child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 I did this for some years and received school photos, letters etc. however I always knew that the money didn't just go to that child, it went to the school/community. A few years ago the charity changed its focus and instead of the individual sponsorship they began producing a general report about building work, new initiatives for training etc. I was disappointed because I lost the feeling that I was making a difference to that individual child, even though as I say I'd always known that the money wasn't just for her. The charity cautioned strongly against disclosing your home address, and I think genuine two-way dialogue would be difficult. It's also unwise to send individual gifts, because it would single that child out unfairly from others. I think it's a great idea to encourage your children to learn about charitable donation and sponsoring another boy of a similar age would make it realistic for them, but I am not sure that you'll be able to achieve a 'pen friend' arrangement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 We have been sponsoring a child in Africa via World Vision for years. We send an annual parcel too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 I have sponsored children through Plan International for several years. The first little boy grew up, the second little girl moved away and I am now sponsoring a 3rd child. A little girl in the Phillipines. Over the years I have had regular (well, semi regular) updates on the children, including photos, letters from the community and the occasional picture drawn by the child. I have to confess that I have not become involved with sending letters and gifts, but the opportunity is there and organised by Plan, so you do not have to divulge your address. their website suggests that people who keep in regular contact with their child have also been to visit them. I have been very happy to sponsor through Plan and although my contributions have gone up a bit over the years, they do not seem to be a 'greedy' charity, unlike the RSPB who often ask me to double my donation! Good luck with finding your chosen charity. It's a great thing to do, especially if you are getting your boys involved too. I wish I'd done the same with my children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Its not a two way communication in the sense of pen pal, but you can send as many letters / photos etc as you like and you do get letters back but they are normally general letters not responses to my letters if that makes sense. My children draw pictures but they do not write as I find it quite hard knowing what to write - as it seems so unfair to write about holidays \ days out etc when they are struggling to just survive, the first intro letter is easier and we like to send photos of scenery and snow etc. The photo of the child on the fridge is a nice reminder for everyone. I would recommend it and I like the updates on the community life ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
