What do you think of Sponsor a Child programs?

I recently made a video exploring the effectiveness of Child Sponsorship programs like Compassion. I know a lot of Christian families support this organisation. What have your experiences been?

Hi Lachlan,

Thank you for posting about this!

I can only speak from my experience with Holt International Children's Services. One of the reasons I believe in their programs is because I am a product of it (I was adopted through this organization) and have talked to other adoptees and families who were united because of Holt.

Holt openly states that its main objective is to try to keep families together, but when that isn't possible, they try to seek an adoption for the child within their birth country, and if that isn't possible, they then work towards the possibility of intercountry adoption.

Holt's Sponsorship program (in my experience) is usually for children whom they are trying to keep with their birth families, and/or children who aren't eligible for adoption, and/or have health issues/disabilities that require specialized care.

One of the things I really like about their program is that it is not an eternal handout. When you start a sponsorship, Holt will send you information about the child you're sponsoring and the goals Holt has for that child (things such as school enrollment, helping family members get better jobs, etc.) Once the goals are met within the parameters of the program, they move on to help another child. Now of course, this might take a long time. Some of my sponsorships have lasted for years (and are still continuing), while some only lasted a few months -- and Holt will give you the option to end your sponsorship or transfer it to another child. One child I have been sponsoring for some time is "too old" to be adopted (16) and is deaf, so Holt's current goal for this child's sponsorship is to receive a complete education at the only deaf school available there.

Of course, nothing is foolproof. One of things I admire most about Holt is that they are one of the few organizations that has been allowed to donate supplies to orphans in North Korea, which is unheard of.

However, last I heard, it's a situation in which Holt volunteers meet with North Korean representatives at the border and give them the donated supplies. Who knows if the supplies actually make it to the kids, but once the packages leave Holt's care, it's out of their jurisdiction.

I was once part of a group that sent a large care package to a missionary from my church who was in the Ukraine, but he never received it. I was told that most like, it was intercepted by customs officers who had taken the contents for themselves, whether for their own families or to sell for profit.

Unfortunately, there will always be corruption somewhere along the line. For myself, all I can do is keep praying and trying to help, while believing that God will take care of what happens along the way.

Welcome to CC, and God bless you for caring about this issue!

I hesitate saying because of our call to not tell our right hand what the left hand is doing. You know, keep it shhhhh, just do so cherrfully.

Oh well...
here is my honest answer...

I support this compassion organization myself. It isn't much, especially considering who it is helping. I have wondered if I will be able to continue if the economy continues to plummet. Eeks....So I pray...

I think this is a great question. We all can find ways to help in what ever way we are able. I so value the work compassion is doing and they are transparent. St Judes too, and now I just read Holt too. I think there is so much need in this world, so find a way, do a thing, contribute in some way. Volunteering is another great way.

Can I just say...

No matter how we choose to give, we will always get so very much more than we could ever give. God made it that way. Thank You Lord!!! I am not talking about financial gain, either. The inner rewards are plenty and priceless. It actually brings perspective because there are those many who are suffering much more than ourselves, and peace because it is always better, more rewarding, to give than to receive.

Don't get me wrong, receiving is good too, lol. Others have helped me tremendously, no One more than He. I am so grateful.

God Bless you in whatever you choose to do.

Thanks for bringing up this point, CharliRenee.

I know it gets really hard to know what to share. I was in another chat room once (not on CC) in which a young fellow had just returned from a mission trip and was super excited about it, telling us all about how he had seen God work.

Several people scolded him to silence (and finally leaving), telling him that he was losing his eternal reward by telling others about what he had done. I was terribly disappointed because one, I wanted to hear what he had to say, and two, to hear a young person so on fire for God was rare and inspiring. I think one of the major differences that these people failed to notice is that this young man was telling us about what GOD had done, and not what HE had done on this trip.

I don't know exactly what the balance is, but I appreciate it when others share about the charity and ministry work they're involved in.

Sometimes, God even uses that to kick me in the butt and get me going in another area of service I might have never considered or even known about if someone hadn't shared.

I couldn't agree more and such a shame that peeps scold ppl to silence, especially when they R merely on fire for God.

It is inspiring and encouraging. Plus, a praise report to His account because it is because of Him we are moved to give in the first place, not to mention able to give anything at all is all because of Him.

I remember telling of an experience I had in the foodbank. I was going on about how grateful peeps were for a role of tp, and this was prior to the CV. Ppl were so humbled and ashamed having to ask for help (heartbreaking), but also soooo grateful, like they were receiving a kidney.

Anyhoooo, I was reprimanded quickly because all that they got from my story was that I was looking for accolades, when my story had not one thing to do with me. Maybe, I presented wrong. I do not know. Since then, I hesitate and am uber cautious. However, I believe our Lord just wants our intentions and motives praising and honoring Him, not ourselves. How others receive us is on them...well, unless they or we are being hurtful intentionally.

It depends. If you are childless hen it might not work. However, if you already have children of your own and wants to help, then yes.

Can't see what that has to do with anything.

If one is childless, then all the greater reason to help a child in need, right?

I don't have children.

Why would it not work?

I don' have either and this is purely my personal opinion I would rather adopt a child who can stay with me.

I have to really smile at your post, because I happen to be a "childless hen" myself. So, what's your opinion of childless roosters?

All joking aside, God bless you for being open to adoption.

I'm wondering if maybe there is a misunderstanding here. Maybe you're talking about the foster care system (taking a child into your home temporarily), whereas, I believe this thread is about child sponsorship programs (donating money each month to the care of a child, often in another country), which is certainly something anyone with a heart for it can do -- whether their nest is empty or full.

I havent had experience with Compassion, but there are others like .world Vision and Childfund which used to be CCF. There is also Unicef.

You have to have a regular income to sponsor children, I found I couldnt keep doing it if my job situation wasnt stable. which is a bit sad for the children if the money dries up...but I think what happens is it gets pulled into village projects to benefit all not just one child.

I think those that can afford to, its a good thing but for those who want to but for some reason cant or only have enough to sponsor one child, its a bit disconcerting to be sent appeals every month for more.

Yes, I would agree with that last part. I don't like it when the organisations are pushy.

in the 70's everyone gave to the (BOY-SCOUTS), little knowing that it was an organization for peds'.

My wife still love and respect me as Iam. Others, I really don't care.

I sponsor compassion UK myself, i think it is good to change lives. I hope and pray that the children i sponsor will become future evangelists or show others the gospel and represent God and do his work, that is my prayer.