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Any of you guys sponsor a child through an agency?
- Thread starter Chunkee
- Start date
Many claim to do good work.
However, I would utilize a church group vs those that advertise.
Find out how much of the $ actually gets to the child vs admin and promotional expenses.
Rumor is that if they are getting 90% to the target; it is good; Otherwise, they are padding their pockets. That info has to be made available by all charities.
However, I would utilize a church group vs those that advertise.
Find out how much of the $ actually gets to the child vs admin and promotional expenses.
Rumor is that if they are getting 90% to the target; it is good; Otherwise, they are padding their pockets. That info has to be made available by all charities.
I donate to Save the Children. It's definitely legitimate and it does a lot of good. I did a lot of research to make sure I wasn't throwing my money away before I started contributing.
Edit: 91% of money is spent on program services.
This site is good to look at various charities.
Edit: 91% of money is spent on program services.
This site is good to look at various charities.
swimscubasteve
Senior member
Please make sure to wipe after you thread crap.
I don't consider starving people in Nebraska any more important than starving people in Mozambique. If you do, then please go ahead and donate to the local charities and then kindly stay the hell out of other people's decisions about who they choose to help with their money.
I would respond to dullard's post too, but obviously he's kidding as no one who's that stupid would be able to read and write.
dullard
Elite Member
I am 100% serious. Donations to a child in areas where the government is corrupt, education is minimal, and the outlook for success is nil is not a wise donation. Instead, donate the same money to causes that will make that area safe, honest, and can self-sustain its population.
Free handouts to the needy without any effort to stop the need will only prolong the pain. I'd much rather see assistance to end the need, to solve the hunger/shelter/education problem and to end the pain forever.
If you feel sorry and want to help a child, a child helped in Nebraska has a pretty good chance of never needing assistance again and in fact will likely grow up and be able to assist other needy children. The same can't be said about Mozambique.
Most economists agree with me. But of course, economists can't read or write.
There are economists that point in both directions on this issue. It just takes research into which organizations are good and use their donations in a way to help pull the kids out of poverty. There are a few organizations that do this through education and making sure that the person has a stable future -- you just have to look for the right organization. There are plenty of great organizations that do this (there is one started in Bolivia for street children by a Harvard Med doctor which is doing a lot of good with a few of the peopel there), i.e. there turnover rate is quite low. Meaning the children stay in there system, get educated, and move out of poverty. Many organizations don't put as much thought into their system, but if you do the research and actually really care instead of making lame excuses, you can find an organization that will actually help the kids.
Also, you will find that the war torn blood countries that squander donations and investments aren't "helped"by the good organizations. The books you have read, about the plight in Africa pertaining to the economics of charity (this is probably the book you read, let me find the title and I will post it) is only one perspective on the matter and has some truth to it, but in all honesty if you really care, you will do the research and donate only to groups that will use the money wisely and really bring up the people. Stop being so xenophobic, local charities are great too, why not do both? BTW, do you actually donate to anything or are you making an excuse not to donate (time/money) at all?
There is always Goodwill, Purple Heart, Star of Hope (Houston), a local food bank near my house... How about you dullard?
AreaCode707
Lifer
World Vision
Financial Statements Here
2005 expenditures was 87% programs, 5% fundraising, and 8% management & expenses.
Link - click "Is World Vision a trustworthy organization?"
One reason I like World Vision is that the focus really is on building up the community the child lives in. The money goes to feed, clothe, house and educate the child but portions also go towards enriching the community and making it self-sustaining.
I've also sponsored through Compassion International and they're a good organization too.
Financial Statements Here
2005 expenditures was 87% programs, 5% fundraising, and 8% management & expenses.
Link - click "Is World Vision a trustworthy organization?"
One reason I like World Vision is that the focus really is on building up the community the child lives in. The money goes to feed, clothe, house and educate the child but portions also go towards enriching the community and making it self-sustaining.
I've also sponsored through Compassion International and they're a good organization too.
CKent
Diamond Member
I'm with dullard on this one. Third world cultures are very different from our own. They don't view it as harmful to bring 15 children into poverty; instead most see anything less as evidence of infertility, perhaps even heathenism. If a few die, well, that's why they had 15 in the first place! They don't hold life in as high a regard as developed nations do. Sending them money will just condemn their own kids to the same fate down the line. It may sound harsh, but if you truly want to help third world nations, your best bet would be to send condoms or start an organization whose premise is to change their traditional views about how many children they should have.